Welcome to DouglasDeBono.Com, the Cyberspace Home of author Douglas De Bono

Welcome to DouglasDeBono.Com, the Cyberspace Home of
author Douglas De Bono.

Hello, Mr. De Bono,

I am 16 years old and enjoy reading political thrillers that accurately and realistically portray our country's military and intelligence services, often trying to write similiar stories of my own, and hope to have a future career with the Defense Intelligence Agency (possibly joining the Air Force after High School).

I have recently come across and browsed through your website. I quickly became interested enough to order a copy of "Blood Covenant". I was not disapointed at all. I finished it in a few days and would go as far to say that it is the most stimulating and intelligent fictional book I've read about terrorism since Joe Weber's "Primary Target".

Too many authors in this genre have books that border on the lines of science fiction. It seems not too many write stories that stick with reality. I've usually found Clancy, Weber, Vince Flynn, and David Hagberg to be my best bets but now I'm pleased to be able to add your name to that list. I was really impressed with "Blood Covenant". The immense amount of historical information you've included added an unnerving amount of authenticity to the story I also immediately came to like your characters, especially Major Harper and Louis Edwards. After checking the character listing on your website, I'm glad to see that you they show up in your other works.

I've already got a copy of "Rogue State" coming this way and can't wait to start reading it. It sounds very promising, particularly since the conflict in Chechnya is a subject rarely covered in fiction.

By any chance do you ever come down to Chicago for a signing?

Thanks for the great read and good luck with your future books.

Ross Sidor

Ross,
Thanks for the letter. BLOOD COVENANT was initially based on congressional testimony and the number of weapons in the book was accurate per data current in 1998/1999. However, I did inflate the yield of the weapons for dramatic purposes. Actual yields were most likely in the sub-kiloton regions. Also some of the command structures have changed since the book was written.
I applaud you desire to enter the Air Force. I have a friend who went to the Air Force Academy. My Godson will be reporting to Parris Island this coming August.
Jim Harper lives in Chicago’s western suburbs. This wasn’t a random choice. I have a couple of friends in that part of town. One of them is Cris Nelson who runs the National Karate Schools in Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove and South Elgin. The other is Rev. Andy Koschmann who is the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream. Cris was my first karate instructor and Andy was my best man.
Occasionally, I get to Chicago. The best way to keep track of those types of events is to subscribe to my newsletter http://www.DouglasDeBono.com/news.htm.
As to the history and factual underpinnings for all my books, this is what I try to do:

1. Double source every fact and technical aspect. This is kind of hard when you consider that I write about classified and secret topics. However, all of my material comes from open sources.
2. I either own or have borrowed virtually every small arm described in the books. Understanding what a weapon can and cannot do helps me write a better scene (e.g. the confrontation between Harper and the Twins in New York).
3. The fight sequences have been worked out to make sure they are real. My buddy Brian and I do full contact sparring almost every Friday, and he has helped me on more than one occasion to work things out.
4. Much of the research that I do is written down in the FYEO and glossary sections on the site.
5. Finally, the books are character driven. Even I don’t always know where they are heading.

One thing about ROGUE STATE that you might find interesting concerns the first 5 chapters. I deal with the sinking of the Kursk (Oscar II Class submarine). Someone in the Naval Intelligence Service confirmed the detail regarding two Los Angeles Class submarines observing Northern Fleet wargames.

Thanks again for your letter. I hope you tell your friends...