Sentinals (Zuckerman)

During the financial devastation of the 1920-'30,a group of German Industrialist assume control of their government by supporting Hitler and his Nazi Party's rise to power. Goals of Nationalism turn in a quest for global Aryan Supremacy, leading a world to war. In 1943, the Sentinels learn of an attempt by the same industrialists to smuggle their "Fortunes of War" out of Germany before the Allied forces invade. Fearing the wealth will be used to finance the organization of a Fourth German Reich, the Six Sentinels gather together in an effort to prevent the Germans from achieving their goal. The story escalates at every turn, and allows the reader to ride 'side-saddle' with the principal characters for more than two years as the battle of opposing conflict is waged over two continents. Intrigue, danger, romance, disappointment, trust and betrayal are never very far away. Published in 2009, under the genre "Historical Thriller, Fiction, Fortunes of War remained atop Amazon and Barnes and Noble's best sellers list for two years. It is the first book in what will be a continuing series that pits the resourceful problem solving efforts of the Sentinels against those who abuse the privileges of free-enterprise in the quest of their self-serving agendas.

From June 1963, following the author's graduation from the Harvard Business School, until April 2005, when he sold his Resort Hotel company. Mr. Zuckerman enjoyed the privilege of working for forty-two years as a entrepreneurial problem solving leader in what many people regarded as the Golden Age of American Commerce. Through-out his career he would witness, hear, or become aware of major events that appeared to have a significant influence over people's lives, some positive and some not so beneficial. Provided with the free time of retirement, Mr. Zuckerman has concentrated his attention on researching contemporary events, the consequences of which, have been instrumental on peoples' lives. While the history of free enterprise is clearly dominated by the many stories of high-minded success, there have been situations where resources were misdirected and manipulated in the pursuit of self-serving agendas, frequently achieved at the public's expense. Mr. Zuckerman uses his writing easel to illustrate what can happen when a small fictional group, The Six Sentinels decide to oppose the efforts and those of irresponsible intentions. To create the plot for each of his books, the author has chosen to connect the dots of history. By telling the story through the fictional lives of the principal players, he hope to create an entertaining was of portraying historical events that may be reoccurring in present time.

By 2013, the American economy is sliding under the rising tide of over spending and increasing indebtedness. Five years following the 2008 bursting of the great consumer bubble, the country is dangerously over-leverage and under-employed. Unable to balance spending with earned income, the United States is becoming aware of the what the true costs associated with the off-shoring of so many of its higher paying manufacturing jobs, might have been. Concluding the restoration of the economy is dependent on re-establishment of the relative competitiveness of manufacturing in America, Sentinels designate that restoration of manufacturing employment has to become the critical test by which historical and proposed programs are evaluated. Understanding the relative costs of production are determine by the total of seven separate categories of expenses, of which direct labor costs only represents one segment, the Sentinels set about to determine what needs to be changed. Well entrenched programs favoring foreign oil production, domestic power generation, the American labor movement, inadequate job training, corporate taxation, and increasing costs associated with growing regulations, need to be questioned. The Sentinels' Employ America requires them to divide the challenges into separate segments, with each one assume responsibility for its successful resolution. The story told through the evolving lives of the principal players on both sides of the ensuing conflict, unfolds over four continents. Follow the events in the lives of the next generation, as they pursue their objectives. Romance, disappointment, peril, trust, betrayal, hidden, prospects for success are never very far away.

Voices Behind the Curtain tells the story of American Industrialists attempt to manipulate the Congressional appropriations process for their own self interests. The story takes place in the late 1940's closely following the conclusion of World War Two. In 1946, Peak military industrial contracting has been cut by 400 billion dollars. Some of the same industrial organization who were responsible for creating a military arsenals capable of supplying six different wars on four separate continents are now concerned about the economic impact of converting from war time production to peace-time manufacturing of consumer goods. Unwilling to take the risk, a consortium of these companies conclude they must find a new way to recreate the pending losses. Hearing of the plot, the Sentinel decide to engage in the hope they will be successful in preventing an agenda of the self-interested from compromising the objectivity of the American Congress's appropriation process,. The Voices behind the Curtain is a solidly written and well edited novel featuring an engaging cast of character that will appeal to readers interested the events that shaped the world in the years following World War II.