Saul’s
Game is an original novel of the
Homeland series written by best-selling author Andrew Kaplan.
It is a prequel that takes fans of this series back to 2009
and before. The plot includes the backstory on many of the
characters and what influenced their current attitudes.
The story has Saul Berenson and Carrie Mathison
returning to the Middle East, Syria and Iraq in particular.
They’re trying to find the al Qaeda terrorist Abu Nazir
and instead come across plots that would threaten the American
forces and involve Arab tribal differences.
Kaplan’s experiences greatly contribute
to the realism of the story. As someone who served in the
US and Israeli Army he knows the make-up of the Middle East.
In fact, what he wrote could be snatched from the views of
former high-ranking CIA officials. These former officials
speak about the alienation of the Sunnis, by the former Iraq
Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, and the corruptness created
by the Shiites, which all fits into the narrative of the story.
Kaplan explained, “I put into the book
a scene that explains why many Americans just do not get what
is happening over there. If the Sunnis take over Syria there
would be an increase in massacres of the Christians and Kurds.
Don’t forget the book was written over a year ago. In
the Middle East there are no losers because all losers are
killed. What Carrie and Saul are attempting to do is prevent
the real enemy, Iran, from having Iraq as its puppet.”
Saul’s
Game not only allows readers more insight into the early
life of the main characters, it allows them more insight and
understanding about the issues facing the Middle East today
and why American troops shouldn’t have been completely
withdrawn.
On a side note, he will be attending the Veteran’s
Benefit Book Fair on November 8th in San Diego on board the
USS Midway. He stated, “I am very pleased to be included
in this book fair that includes some wonderful authors. I
think doing it on the Midway is a wonderful idea, including
matching every book sold to a giveaway to active military
personnel.”
Reviews of other titles in this series
Carrie’s
Run #1
Saul’s
Game #2
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