The story of Evan Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads of Empire.
Having survived German artillery, poison gas & friendly fire, Evan barely survives his hospital ship’s sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.
Crossroads of Empire
Book 2
by Michael J. Cooper
Genre: YA Historical WWI Fiction
Winner of the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime
Historical Fiction
2024 SF Writers Conference Writing Contest Finalist-Adult Fiction
“. . .both a gripping page turner and a series of carefully observed character
studies. Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the
era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all
ages” -Chanticleer Book Reviews
The story of Evan Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads
of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire
in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely
survives his hospital ship’s sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he
no longer remembers who he is.
Likewise, Evan doesn’t recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is
in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount that Kaiser
Wilhelm II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and
the Suez Canal.
The Middle East Front soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan’s story is interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence,
Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann.
During his quest to recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief
for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage
that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the
Great War.
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Wages of Empire
Book 1
Grand prize winner – 2022 CIBA Dante Rossetti Award for YA fiction
First place honors – 2022 CIBA Hemingway Award for wartime fiction
#1 Amazon Best Seller—Jan 2024—Historical World War I Fiction
In the summer of 1914, sixteen-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to join the Great War for
Civilization. Little does he know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the
true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from
Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.
Filled with such historical figures as Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal
bin Hussein and Chaim Weizmann, Wages of Empire follows Evan through the
killing fields of the Western Front where he will help turn the tide of a war
that is just beginning, and become part of a story that never ends.
“Masterful storytelling will keep you furiously turning the pages of this compelling
(historical WWI) novel. A winner!”–Andrew Kaplan, New York Times Best-Selling
Author of Blue Madagascar and the Homeland Novels
“The characters, historical and fictional, come to life on the page as the storyline
drives relentlessly forward. Bravo!”–Matt Coyle, bestselling author of the Rick
Cahill novels
“A beautifully written tale…exhibits seamless research in illuminating unforgettable
historical and fictional characters…a tour de force!” –Professor Ronit Meroz,
Dept of Jewish Philosophy and Talmud, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
“This superb historical novel is a must read…directly relates to issues we face today.”
–Rizek Abusharr – Emeritus Director General of Jerusalem International YMCA
“Cooper has made this period of history come alive. It is a treat to read.” –Rabbi David
Zisenwine, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education, Tel Aviv University
“A Young Indiana Jones–style adventure.” –KIRKUS reviews
“Story is gripping and the characters that he describes come alive through his skillful
writing. I couldn’t put it down!” –Rabbi Gordon Freeman, Ph.D., Rabbi Emeritus,
B’nai Shalom, Walnut Creek, CA
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Michael J Cooper writes historical mysteries set in the Holy Land at major turning points of
history—all the while subtly promoting the notions of coexistence and peace.
His books have won multiple awards and include; Foxes in the Vineyard (winner of the 2011 Indie Publishing Contest
Grand Prize), set in 1948 Jerusalem, The
Rabbi’s Knight (finalist for the CIBA 2014 Chaucer Award for historical
fiction) set at the twilight of the Crusades in 1290, and his current novel, Wages
of Empire set at the start of WWI in 1914 and winner of the CIBA 2022 Grand
Prize for young adult fiction as well as the Hemingway first prize for wartime
historical fiction. A sequel of Wages of Empire, Crossroads of
Empire, will be published in the fall of 2024, and the unpublished
manuscript has already won first prize honors in the 2023 CIBA Hemingway
wartime historical fiction category.
A native of Berkeley, California, Cooper absconded to Israel after high school and spent
the next eleven years studying and working there. He lived in Jerusalem during
the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan, studied at Hebrew
University, and graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School. He returned
to the US to specialize in pediatric cardiology, and after 40 years of
practice, he continues to return to the Middle East for biannual volunteer
missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care. Otherwise, he
lives in Northern California with his wife and a spoiled-rotten cat. Three
adult children occasionally drop by.
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