Valley author's novel featured at book signing

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

Valley resident Gordon Zuckerman said his new book is about how unbridled greed led to the beginning of World War II.

Zuckerman's novel, "The Sentinels: Fortunes of War," was published by Greenleaf Book Group Press in July.

"The book is set in World War II when the German industries were responsible for Hitler's rise to power," Zuckerman said. "It starts in 1943 when the industrialists are trying to smuggle profits out of the country. The main characters in the book scheme to steal $100 million from the Nazis.

"These 'Robin Hood' characters have three things in common: They were destined for future roles of leadership, they see problems created by fascism and they recognize a cycle of corruption. They are concerned about stopping the Germans. They wanted to stop the cycle."

Zuckerman, 71, grew up in Stockton, Calif., and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard Business School. He was one of the original developers of Kirkwood Ski Resort and was in the hotel business for many years before he sold his company.

He and his wife of 49 years, Anne, a lifelong equestrian, bought a horse ranch in Gardnerville five years ago.

"I enjoy living here as compared to an urban environment."

"The Sentinels: Fortunes of War," took Zuckerman 10 years to write. He's written two more to be published as part of a "Sentinels" trilogy.

The second book is based on post-World War II events when seven British and U.S. oil companies controlled 92 percent of the current oil production and invented a way to perpetuate the control. The characters try to stop the oil companies from creating that monopoly.

"I've always been a student of history and became aware of the influence of the oil industry in Washington, D.C., a long time ago," he said. "That led to creating novels to let the reader understand the story behind the story."

Zuckerman said he writes novels because histories have already been written by excellent authors.

"With a novel, I can speculate what would have really been going on and use exciting characters to tell the story," he said.

A book signing event for "The Sentinels: Fortunes of War" is 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Barone & Reed Food Co., 1599 Esmeralda Avenue, Minden. Book sales benefit Sierra Lutheran High School.

"The Sentinels: Fortunes of War" by Gordon Zuckerman and published by Greenleaf Book Group Press is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon books, Harbor Books and Borders. Information, www.gordon

zuckerman.com