Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Putin Plans Return: 'The Den of the Assassin' Author Peter Senese Points To New Cold War
Monday, September 26, 2011
Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai Changed The World Forever. Today She Passed. Heaven Opened Its Gates For A Woman Who Made The World A Much Greater Place. Reflections Of Wangari Maathai by Peter Thomas Senese
My name is Peter Thomas Senese and I have had the great privelage in my life to have spent time with Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. Wangari Maathai died today in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving behind a world that is so much better because of her belief in 'Uhuru' and her Unbowed demeanor to stand for what is right. Unquestionably, she will be missed greatly. Undeniably, her spirit lives within all of us who believe in freedom and in each other.
I have been blessed to have spent time with Professor Maathai on several occassions in my life. As I share in my reflections, I feel my heart race as joyful memories of her graceous presence, her life-changing smile, and her wisest of words vetted by her actions to remain 'Unbowed' and to live in 'Uhuru'.
Today, the world lost a friend, for Wangari was a friend to all. And a friend especially to me. And I know just how blessed I have been for the time I shared with her. Time I have always treasured. Time that I will carry with me forever.
Several years ago I reviewed 'Unbowed', Wangari's autobiography. I am sharing this below, as it says everything I can possibly say. And as many of my friends know, for many years I have suggested to everyone to read 'Unbowed'. In her lessons, you will change your life.
Without question, Wangari changed mine. "Uhuru!"
A TRIBUTE TO WANGARI
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai is truly one of the most important voices of our time. This dynamic and indefatigable Kikuyu woman of Kenya has illuminated rays of light through the dark clouds of Kenya, and so Africa.
Standing in the face of oppression and unbearable adversity she faced when Kenya was not a land of freedom, but a state of oppression and discord, it was Wangari's resilient voice, her never-ending effort to stand strong in the winds of injustice, and her ceaseless love of mankind that has in many ways begun the great changes toward democracy and freedom for all individuals not just in Kenya, but in Africa.
As the Cold War has, as Professor Maathai clearly and carefully points out, changed the dynamics of government in Africa, the reader becomes aware, in a different way than what is typically presented in the press, of the many issues involved with the challenges that the world faces through the daily experiences of those who seek `Freedom'.
Clearly, as the world becomes closer and more connected, the issues that continue in Africa are critical issues that we, as a progressive society, must not simply acknowledge, but do something about. Acting on what is right . . . standing up for your beliefs . . . standing down oppression and hatred . . . and nurturing Mother Earth as she continues to nurture and provide for all, are themes this visionary African woman - who is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize - shares with the world in her brilliantly written life story. Readers across the world - men and women of all colors and creeds and beliefs will tap into the determination of this extraordinary activist who has taught so many about how love of each other can grow through respecting and nurturing the land we live on.
But there is so much more to `Unbowed': Uhuru Park - Freedom Park - is more than a rolling green field in the middle of busy Nairobi, it is more than a starting point for this wonderful woman's love affair with the world, and it is so much more than a gathering point where the notion of planting trees . . . the seeds of The Green Belt Movement occurred.
As Professor Maathai has shown through her own life, `Uhuru' is not Free! `Unbowed' is the story of a magnificent and courageous leader who stood up for the oppressed, including the woman of Kenya, and provided hope for better tomorrows by demonstrating that if a person possesses a will to make change, change can and will occur.
`Unbowed' is a most remarkable memoir . . . and Professor Wangari Maathai is an ingenious woman of dignity the world continues to learn from. Listen: no matter where you are from, this book will positively change your life.
I WILL BE A HUMMINGBIRD
I have been blessed to have spent time with Professor Maathai on several occassions in my life. As I share in my reflections, I feel my heart race as joyful memories of her graceous presence, her life-changing smile, and her wisest of words vetted by her actions to remain 'Unbowed' and to live in 'Uhuru'.
Today, the world lost a friend, for Wangari was a friend to all. And a friend especially to me. And I know just how blessed I have been for the time I shared with her. Time I have always treasured. Time that I will carry with me forever.
Several years ago I reviewed 'Unbowed', Wangari's autobiography. I am sharing this below, as it says everything I can possibly say. And as many of my friends know, for many years I have suggested to everyone to read 'Unbowed'. In her lessons, you will change your life.
Without question, Wangari changed mine. "Uhuru!"
A TRIBUTE TO WANGARI
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai is truly one of the most important voices of our time. This dynamic and indefatigable Kikuyu woman of Kenya has illuminated rays of light through the dark clouds of Kenya, and so Africa.
Standing in the face of oppression and unbearable adversity she faced when Kenya was not a land of freedom, but a state of oppression and discord, it was Wangari's resilient voice, her never-ending effort to stand strong in the winds of injustice, and her ceaseless love of mankind that has in many ways begun the great changes toward democracy and freedom for all individuals not just in Kenya, but in Africa.
As the Cold War has, as Professor Maathai clearly and carefully points out, changed the dynamics of government in Africa, the reader becomes aware, in a different way than what is typically presented in the press, of the many issues involved with the challenges that the world faces through the daily experiences of those who seek `Freedom'.
Clearly, as the world becomes closer and more connected, the issues that continue in Africa are critical issues that we, as a progressive society, must not simply acknowledge, but do something about. Acting on what is right . . . standing up for your beliefs . . . standing down oppression and hatred . . . and nurturing Mother Earth as she continues to nurture and provide for all, are themes this visionary African woman - who is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize - shares with the world in her brilliantly written life story. Readers across the world - men and women of all colors and creeds and beliefs will tap into the determination of this extraordinary activist who has taught so many about how love of each other can grow through respecting and nurturing the land we live on.
But there is so much more to `Unbowed': Uhuru Park - Freedom Park - is more than a rolling green field in the middle of busy Nairobi, it is more than a starting point for this wonderful woman's love affair with the world, and it is so much more than a gathering point where the notion of planting trees . . . the seeds of The Green Belt Movement occurred.
As Professor Maathai has shown through her own life, `Uhuru' is not Free! `Unbowed' is the story of a magnificent and courageous leader who stood up for the oppressed, including the woman of Kenya, and provided hope for better tomorrows by demonstrating that if a person possesses a will to make change, change can and will occur.
`Unbowed' is a most remarkable memoir . . . and Professor Wangari Maathai is an ingenious woman of dignity the world continues to learn from. Listen: no matter where you are from, this book will positively change your life.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
How Are Children Internationally Abducted Via Cruise Ships?
How Are Children Internationally Abducted Via Cruise Ships?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Loopholes:
Sea Travel Closed-Loop Voyages
An excerpt taken from THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN written by Peter Thomas Senese & Carolyn Vlk
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative policy, a minor 16 years old or younger traveling by land or by sea abroad is not required to present a valid passport to travel. All that is required is a photocopy of a citizenship document, such as a photocopy of a birth certificate. This policy has created a significant loophole for would-be abductors intent to abduct or traffic a child abroad.
We are also very concerned that the documentation
requirements for a “closed loop” cruise ship or other water vessel’s voyage or
itinerary to contiguous countries or adjacent islands allows travelers to be
exempt from the documentary requirements necessary for other types of travel.
The CBP defines “closed loop” as occurring when “a vessel departs from a
U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the
voyage. U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United
States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S.
port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification,
along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth
certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of
Naturalization). A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present
either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report
of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.”
Travel requirements for children traveling at sea are quite alarming. The
porous documentation controls in place due to the WHTI facilitate child
abduction opportunity at sea in unthinkable ways. For example, there are
certain cruise ships that have ports of call in other countries that cater
specifically to children. These cruise ships hold over 5,000 passengers and
typically have weekly departures. With thousands of children boarding one of
these cruise ships; we acknowledge it is clear there is substantial opportunity
for a parental or non-parental child abduction to occur.
In a likely scenario for cruise ship related international
parental child abduction or child trafficking, an individual could presumably
board a cruise ship with a targeted child with limited or fraudulent
documentation for the child, travel to WHTI designated foreign ports, disembark
with the child at a port of call and simply choose not to re-board the ship,
effectively circumventing the necessity of a passport which is required
for other types of travel.
The potential to illegally remove a child across
international borders via cruise ship travel is substantially
magnified because currently there are no systematic data base controls and other
security measures that would prevent a child's illegal departure from the
United States. Exemplifying this grave concern are direct statements made
from the security departments of two of the world's largest cruise lines
operators. In
statements made by both companies, neither have a security database that
would enable a parent nor a court of law to place a child's name on a 'no
embarkment' list due to specified court order. So even if a court order is
issued that either directly names the cruise ship company as part of the action
or if the court order references the cruise ship company to prohibit a
child's departure but does not list the cruise ship as part of the legal
action, the cruise ship companies have nothing in place that would enable them
to comply with the court order.
When representatives in the security departments of both
cruise ship companies were asked what could be done with a court order
prohibiting a child's departure, each spokesperson suggested that if the
targeted parent knew what cruise ship and departure date their child
was scheduled to travel on, then it would be up to the parent to contact
local law enforcement.
Obviously, the ability for
a single parent trying to protect their child's abduction to run from cruise ship
port to cruise ship port hoping to determine if their child is traveling on one
of the ships is more than daunting and unrealistic, particularly since the vast
majority of international child abductions are well planned, and cleverly
orchestrated.
In a time of increased international security concerns, it
is inconceivable that the only type of data bases most cruise ship operators
have in place is a data base that flags previous passengers from traveling on
their fleet due to past conduct on board one of their ships.
Remarkably, there is no systematic check to determine if a
child’s name has been placed on any law enforcement or government travel alert
lists. However, if a U.S. passport was required and the U.S. passport was
scanned, then a border patrol agent would have immediate access to potentially
critical information regarding the safety of the child. We call upon the
cruise ships to act responsibly by establishing security procedures including a
'no-embarkment' database that would assist in the prevention of international
parental child abduction and human trafficking.
When we consider there are approximately 760 cruises
scheduled to depart from the U.S. and travel in a ‘closed loop’ to the
Caribbean during fiscal year 2011, this becomes very concerning. Our worry
increases after we consider there are 47 "closed loop" cruises
scheduled to depart the U.S. to Canada during the same period. And finally, our
concern surges when we realize that there are 379 cruises scheduled to depart
the U.S. and travel in a "closed loop" to Mexico.
As previously discussed in this report, Mexico is a hotbed
for ‘reported’ and ‘unreported’ incoming and outgoing international parental
child abduction cases. A substantial number of U.S. parents have
filed a Hague application due to the criminal international abduction of
their child or children. Unfortunately, very few abducted children
return to the U.S. despite court orders demanding the child’s
return. These opinions are substantially backed by the U.S. Department of
State, as Mexico has repeatedly been reported to Congress as a non-compliant
member of the Hague Convention. In addition, Mexico’s record as a country known
for its criminal activity of human trafficking is substantial.
We express our grave concern that cruise ships may be utilized
to transport children illegally to and from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada as
well island nations of the Caribbean.
It is inconceivable that U.S. children are still permitted
to travel to specific foreign countries in accordance with the WHTI without
a passport. Today, nearly 30% of all U.S. citizens possess a
passport. As that number continues to grow substantially each year it is
unthinkable not to require a passport for a child to travel
abroad. In 2011 cruise ships are scheduled to originate from the U.S
and travel to 63 ports of call in Mexico, 48 ports in the Caribbean, and from
20 ports of call in Canada. We contend that a failure to require children to
present a passport for all international travel is an act of misguided
negligence.
Closed-Loop
Foreign Destination Number of
Cruises Number of Ports
Caribbean 760
63
Canada 43 20
Mexico 379 48
The CBP does state that a U.S. Citizen “may” be required to
present a U.S. passport if disembarking at a foreign port but that this
requirement is up to the individual ports-of-entry. We must also consider that
smaller personal watercrafts traveling to foreign ports under a “closed-loop”
journey offer
distinct opportunity for child abductors and human traffickers to circumvent
our nation’s laws or court orders. The lack of formidable travel documentation
for cruise ship or other water vessel excursions originating from and returning
to the United States is a black hole for would-be child abductors or
traffickers.
The fact that cruise ships are being utilized in human
trafficking is not unrecognized within the U.S. or in other countries. The
following statements come directly from a human rights watchdog organization in
Belize.
The Belize Organization
for Responsible Tourism (ORT) issues this appeal to cruise lines bringing
passengers to Belize, a superhighway for human trafficking. “We are asking for your help in stopping
human trafficking in Belize. In particular, we appeal to Norwegian Cruise Line
and Carnival Cruise Lines, which bring a combined 700, 000 tourists to Belize
annually.
Cruise lines have a moral responsibility
to help stop human trafficking in Belize. Each year thousands of human
trafficking victims are transited through Belize via its porous and corrupt
borders. Many are exported to other countries and never seen again by their
families. Many endure lives of forced prostitution in Belize ficha bars.”
As these serious challenges come to light, we need to
create a comprehensive short-term and long-term strategy that will prevent
child abduction and human trafficking from occurring due to limited WHTI
child travel documentation requirements for land and sea travel. There remains
a significant amount of work necessary to enhance border security so that
current weaknesses will no longer be available to be exploited. Our children
must become a priority and the risk of abduction and human trafficking be
lessened through mandating legitimate and uniform travel documentation.
The issues of child abduction and child slavery have
received relatively limited public exposure. There has been limited government reaction
directed toward changing public policy, government agency operations and
protocol, and reform of laws that may facilitate or enable international
abduction. It is important to recognize that over the past two years there have
been over 1,000 ‘reported’ cases of U.S. child citizens being criminally
abducted to Mexico and untold numbers of unreported cases. Imagine how our
nation would act if:
1. 25 school buses containing 40
defenseless 5th grader American students disappeared in Mexico; or,
2. 4 Boeing 757 passenger jets
containing 250 middle school children each was hijacked; or,
3. A cruise ship with 1,000 high school
students on a spring break trip was pirated off of Mexico’s borders; or,
4. A train traveling with 1,000
students and their teachers was hijacked.
Undoubtedly, there would be public outcry and reform at
every level. However, our public and government concern has not reached levels
that it should. The many voices of this unthinkable crime tend to be diluted
due to the singular reporting methodology. It is imperative that immediate
revisions in law and government policy be initiated including reform of the
WHTI land and sea travel requirements for minors.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Knowing & Teaching Hope: My Tri-Annual Visit To A Childrens Hospital
As some of you may know, over the previous years I had a few major cancer fights. Through a lot of prayer, modern-medicine and absolute homeopathic treatment, I ski, fence, scuba, hike, cycle, dance, golf. I never forget how lucky I am.
Remembering this, several times a year I go to a specific children's hospital to read ESOP fables, bring a bunch of cool electronic games that I paid for by saving some money each week, but most of all, I make my visits in order to talk to the kids who are specifically fighting a deadly disease. They are the children fighting cancer, fiighting leukaimia or any number of dangerous other diseases.
I am there to remind them of just how strong they are.
I think my visitis in the past (I have been doing this for about ten years) really mean something for whatever the reasons.
Perhaps its because I tell them I was once just like them. Perhaps they know they can trust me because I show them my scars. Perhaps they can trust me because they can see how strong I am. Perhaps they can trust me because I can and do easily pick them up, sometimes with one hand. Or perhaps they can trust me because they see and feel the honesty in my eyes about what I have to say to them. I sure know they see my smile, feel my energy, and embrace my love.
And what I have to say is something special. I tell them about how I got strong. And I tell them that in a very special way, WE get to see the world a little different because we get to appreciate everything around us so much more! Funny how life becomes so much more meaningful when it could very easily be taken away from you at any moment.
Typically, I gather the children (usually 4-12: I wish there were 0) and with one or two nurses, we find the 'activity room' on the ward's floor.
And I begin by tell them about being warriors and about how strong they are, and how they can beat the dragon. And I tell them how to do that. And how magical life is.
Then I tell them the story of Autoro, the mighty dragon slayer who would appear in my dreams at night (that would be me) to fight the evil dragon at night when I would sleep. That Autoro would only show up at night when I was resting my body. I shared how sometimes Autoro would have good battles and sometimes not so good battles, just like sometimes we would have good physical days and not so good days. But I remind them that Autoro is a Master dragon slayer and a Knight ... and of course all of us little boys and girls know that Knights never loose the war, right?
And of course, I ask each of them if they would like Autoro to come and help them. And then seperately, I have this little moment where I give them the power of Autoro the Mighty Dragon Slayer Knight ... which of course makes each of them Knights, too. Mighty knights who must be patient and focused.
Over the years I have remained in touch with a good number of these knights. I have never forgotten one during Christmas, and I make it my business to stay in touch with them by sending letters, pictures, and gifts (always books).
Sometimes God has had a different plane. And I understand that there are times when some of my Warrior Knights have gone to the place I aspire to go to: Heaven. And I take comfort in that.
I have not shared my activity with anyone but my closest of friends and family as this is a deeply personal matter. But a few minutes ago, the mother of one of the children called me and asked me if I could have my friends pray for her daughter Catherine, who at seven, will be having a major surgury on Monday.
So today - we could use a little extra prayer.
And as for my technique of Visualization ... that's up to you to embrace it or not. But I think we all have a much better chance to be what we want to be or accomplish what we want to accomplish when we embrace it.
Peter Thomas Senese
Remembering this, several times a year I go to a specific children's hospital to read ESOP fables, bring a bunch of cool electronic games that I paid for by saving some money each week, but most of all, I make my visits in order to talk to the kids who are specifically fighting a deadly disease. They are the children fighting cancer, fiighting leukaimia or any number of dangerous other diseases.
I am there to remind them of just how strong they are.
I think my visitis in the past (I have been doing this for about ten years) really mean something for whatever the reasons.
Perhaps its because I tell them I was once just like them. Perhaps they know they can trust me because I show them my scars. Perhaps they can trust me because they can see how strong I am. Perhaps they can trust me because I can and do easily pick them up, sometimes with one hand. Or perhaps they can trust me because they see and feel the honesty in my eyes about what I have to say to them. I sure know they see my smile, feel my energy, and embrace my love.
And what I have to say is something special. I tell them about how I got strong. And I tell them that in a very special way, WE get to see the world a little different because we get to appreciate everything around us so much more! Funny how life becomes so much more meaningful when it could very easily be taken away from you at any moment.
Typically, I gather the children (usually 4-12: I wish there were 0) and with one or two nurses, we find the 'activity room' on the ward's floor.
And I begin by tell them about being warriors and about how strong they are, and how they can beat the dragon. And I tell them how to do that. And how magical life is.
Then I tell them the story of Autoro, the mighty dragon slayer who would appear in my dreams at night (that would be me) to fight the evil dragon at night when I would sleep. That Autoro would only show up at night when I was resting my body. I shared how sometimes Autoro would have good battles and sometimes not so good battles, just like sometimes we would have good physical days and not so good days. But I remind them that Autoro is a Master dragon slayer and a Knight ... and of course all of us little boys and girls know that Knights never loose the war, right?
And of course, I ask each of them if they would like Autoro to come and help them. And then seperately, I have this little moment where I give them the power of Autoro the Mighty Dragon Slayer Knight ... which of course makes each of them Knights, too. Mighty knights who must be patient and focused.
Over the years I have remained in touch with a good number of these knights. I have never forgotten one during Christmas, and I make it my business to stay in touch with them by sending letters, pictures, and gifts (always books).
Sometimes God has had a different plane. And I understand that there are times when some of my Warrior Knights have gone to the place I aspire to go to: Heaven. And I take comfort in that.
I have not shared my activity with anyone but my closest of friends and family as this is a deeply personal matter. But a few minutes ago, the mother of one of the children called me and asked me if I could have my friends pray for her daughter Catherine, who at seven, will be having a major surgury on Monday.
So today - we could use a little extra prayer.
And as for my technique of Visualization ... that's up to you to embrace it or not. But I think we all have a much better chance to be what we want to be or accomplish what we want to accomplish when we embrace it.
Peter Thomas Senese
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Peter Thomas Senese: Best-Selling Geopolitical Novelist Releases Electrifying International Financial-Political Thriller THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN: Senese Launches E-book Series
Author Peter Thomas Senese is pleased to announce the E-book release of the international espionage thriller titled THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN on September 11th, 2011. Critics have praised THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN as an international financial espionage thriller steeped in the modern-day realities of our post 9-11 world, providing the story a visceral prescience teeming with realism and frightful possibilities of global cyber and biological terrorism, and Peter Senese as a masterful writer of international intrigue. Peter Senese's THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is the first E-book release in a series of the best-selling author's previously hardcover releases of his noteworthy historical fiction novels, which include CLONING CHRIST, CHASING THE CYCLONE, PREDATORS GAMES (Winter, 2011), and QUEST (Spring, 2012).
Peter Senese commented on THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, "For readers who enjoy fast-paced, multi-dimensional plots based upon historical events, substantial and thorough research, and plausible possibilities relevant to the world we live in today, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN will take readers on a thrilling global geopolitical journey that begins in New York City's Wall Street, but soon darts into the hidden and unseen worlds that exists within nations that have highly questionable agendas towards the United States and the West, including but not limited to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. And it is here, in these hidden worlds that disturbing plans that stand against America and the West's idea of liberty and freedom are carefully hatched and cultivated. Most concerningly, as each nation has become more reliant on one another in our global society, a new level of extraordinary vulnerability to our national security has been created, one perhaps we may not be prepared for. In THE DEN OF THE ASSASIN, I believe readers will find the uniquely accurate information on this subject that is carefully weaved through an intricate, entertaining storyline to be quite fascinating - and disturbing."
THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN opens in New York City, where an unassuming investment banker, Tyler Boxter, is preoccupied with his all-consuming career on Wall Street that acts as a personal shield against the trappings of life that hide guilt and pain and memories he doesn't want. In the midst of the biggest deal of his successful career, and unknown to Boxter, he is about to play a sophisticated but explosive game against a madman who is more savage and merciless than the winds of an atomic holocaust.
Once a mysterious theft leads Boxter from the sanctity of his Wall Street office and thrusts him into the dark world of international terrorism -- where zealot religious leaders stir and awaken hateful minds in the brutal desserts in the capitol of the Middle East's ancient, once mighty empire, where dark, sunken eyes eager to return to world-glory look into the abyss of Siberia's desolate terrains, where prisoners -citizens- who live on a remote peninsula in Asia would rather submit to isolationist cleansing than feel the wrath of a deceitful troll intent on destroying the ideals of the West - and where a city of scientists continue their unseen diabolical activity deep in the earth and protected by the menacing walls that surround the Forbidden City - knowing that what they have embarked upon is the West's greatest nightmare.
Peter Thomas Senese: writer, filmmaker, and dedicated child advocate will commence his E-book launch by releasing the highly praised, spine-tingling Post 9-11 financial espionage and geopolitical thriller that catapults the reader into a world of incomprehensible possibilities and insane apocalyptic challenges in Senese's intense, page-turning 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN', which will be released on September 11th, 2011. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is presently available in hardcover format from traditional retailers and online merchants. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN was initially released in hardcover prior to the author's unexpected race into the cyclones of international child abduction. CHASING THE CYCLONE, inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's experiences in the horrific arena and depicts the horrific insanity of having a child internationally kidnapped, will be released in hardcover later on November 1st, 2011.
Reviewers of THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN have praised Peter Thomas Senese's storytelling. Renowned book critic Daniel Jolley commented: "This is one seriously good thriller. Billed as "a novel of international finance and espionage," Den of the Assassin is a super-realistic exploration of frightening possibilities, unsurpassed heroism, Lucifer-like evil, and terrorism of the worst kind ... The novel revolves around some kind of Day of the Jackal-like assassination plot, but the complexity of this novel stretches its tendrils deeply into international finance, the vagaries of the American legal and health care systems, international terrorism, diplomacy, intelligence, WMD, and cold-blooded murder - with a little romance thrown in just to stir up the pot a little more. Peter Thomas Senese does a masterful job traversing the inner hallways of diverse institutions as he slowly brings all of these diverse elements together for a slam-bang climax ... Peter Thomas Senese displays a wealth of knowledge of geopolitics, espionage, and international finance, describing all the technical intricacies of the story's elements and implications with great attention to detail -without ever letting the pace get bogged down or become confusing to the reader. He also keeps a number of secrets close to the vest, saving them for just the right time in the story. This serves to make the book thoroughly believable and increasingly suspenseful. There's no shortage of action here. What Tyler finds himself involved in is nothing less than a war, and he must fight to save not only himself, his friends, and his company, but his very country from an unimaginable catastrophe. The Father's network of agents and killers is as formidable as they come, and the security-related forces Tyler brings into the game are some of the best money can buy. In the end, though, the drama becomes deeply personal, as The Father and Tyler Boxter rush headlong toward a face-to-face encounter of epic proportions . . . Many a writer of thrillers seem to drop the ball somewhere in the middle of their novels, but Peter Thomas Senese's knowledge of geopolitics, international finance, and 21st century terrorist threats keeps the fires of detailed complexity and story evolution stoked and red-hot for the entire ride. Tyler Boxter is no James Bond, but Den of the Assassin proves to be just as exciting as any 007 caper - and much more realistic."
The best-Selling author Peter Senese's upcoming E-book series launch of selected publications from the novelist's previously released and upcoming international geopolitical thriller genre' publications will occur over a six month period and will include a total of four new edition E-book format releases that are intended to be translated and made available in multiple languages, allowing the growing number of readers who enjoy Mr. Senese's novels immediate and affordable access to his written works.
The gut-wrenching, inspirational theological thriller 'Cloning Christ' that jettisons readers to the spiritual and physical battlefront of good vs. evil in Peter Thomas Senese's electrifying, bone-chilling story of faith evolves around the global manhunt for Dr. Max Train, a once-devout, now faithless genomic scientist who may be in possession of the True Cross of Jesus of Nazareth. Cloning Christ will cause heart-racing readers to contemplate the challenges between science and faith while contemplating physical and spiritual issues we all face today in our pursuit to enrich the human condition and experience.
'Cloning Christ' will be released in E-book on October 15th, 2011.
Peter Thomas Senese's deeply personal novel, 'Chasing The Cyclone', the critically acclaimed heart-pounding international legal thriller of a father and son's unbowed and unbreakable love and belief in one another in lieu of a wicked international child abduction as told in a way very few writers ever could, and that was inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's unimaginable experiences as a parent chasing the cyclone of international child abduction, will released in hardcover and E-book on November 1st, 2011.
'Predator's Games' the riveting sequel of 'The Den of the Assassin', that propels readers into the shocking and deadly world of alternative energy speculation and depicts the world's power-nations conspiring against one another in an extremely dangerous and potentially cataclysmic quest to control what was once the unthinkable unfolds as unique characters initially introduced in 'The Den of the Assassin' race into real and startling possibilities evolving around advances in alternative energy and mankind's greed. 'Predator's Games' by Peter Thomas Senese will be released during the Thanksgiving Holiday Season.
QUEST, the sequel of CLONING CHRIST will be released during the early spring of 2012, and THE PRODUCTION is presently scheduled to be released in May, 2012.
In keeping true to the outspoken child abduction advocate's intent and desire to raise public awareness on the growing plague known as international parental child abduction, and staying steadfast to his desire to assist children and their parents at risk of being criminally kidnapped abroad, Peter Thomas Senese recently released the extensive and landmark resource guide on this subject he co-authored with renown child advocate Carolyn Vlk titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. Mr. Senese and Ms. Vlk made the highly informative publication available free of charge via E-book on his personal websites (including www.peterthomassenese.com or www.chasingthecyclone.com) so that those individuals around the world who may need the contained information may have immediate access to it. THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN is also available from traditional E-book retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Peter Thomas Senese commented, "I am extremely pleased to announce the E-book publications of selected novels that readers from all over the world have embraced. It is indeed a very humbling experience to have such a large and diverse number of book lovers from Los Angeles to Christ Church to Beijing to St. Petersburg to Athens to Oslo to The Isle of Skye to New York, and from Anchorage to Cape Town and places in between to have interest in my novels.
"I am, as I will continue to be, extremely grateful for the worldwide reception my stories have received. This interest and appreciation supports my strong belief that society continues to evolve into global citizens, and with each and every passing day, the concerns or interests that one person shares in one part of the world has relevance to another person living on the other side of the planet. I think this is truly remarkable, particularly since one of the primary undercurrents of each of my books is the value of global citizenship. The other undercurrent - and I once thought this was a secret only a few readers realized, but in time I came to know how much I have been mistaken - is that if you hear the voice attached to the words in my novels, you will hear the voice of a parent who deeply loves his child. As I now have come to understand, a substantial number of my readers have heard and indentified with that voice. So perhaps these are two of the reasons why my writing continues to be embraced and evolve onto the global stage."
Not lost on Peter Thomas Senese, who splits his time between New York and Los Angeles is that 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN's E-book release falls a day after September 11th, 2011. Commenting from New York's Ground Zero where he was paying tribute on the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil, Peter Senese commented, "Having spent substantial time here, in and around New York's Ground Zero, losing many close friends and having had many other friends and family directly impacted by the malicious attacks or who were attached to the rescue operations, including an amazing heroic brother who was and is today with the FDNY, I was witness to the pain, suffering, and tragedy that occurred. But as you can see, on September 11th and the days that lead up to the unprovoked attacks against an innocent people that believe in freedom, an isolated group of men and women from around the world lost their faith in God and in each other. However, as those moments and days after these attacks occurred as has been demonstrated, mankind demonstrated an incredible belief in one another and in God. It was in our resolve, determination, and spirited remembrance for those who left this physical world, only to move on to His world, took place, that we were able to feel and see the love, the miracles, and the human connectivity of man's goodness. On a personal note, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, which is very much a New York book, I believe replicates the great spirit that surged forward that day and the days that ensued in New York City and the world thereafter. In fact, I wrote portions of this story on Wall Street; inside Trinity Church, inside Federal Hall, and from a historic building built in 1836 and was once the headquaters for National City Bank - Citibank. There is no question in the story that is THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is there ever a failure to remember what occurred that day."
According to the Association of American Publishers, E-book sales represent the largest single format for book sales in the United States. Paperback sales are considered second, followed by hardcover book sales, both of which sales figures continue to decline.
Peter Senese added, "As an author who embraces my publishing independence, and having had considerable success, including having several of my books hit and stay on various publishing-industry best-seller lists, the ever-expanding use of e-book readers will allow for good writers with important issues that they desire to share with worldwide opportunity to reach audiences via e-book publications. Over the course of the past years, I have purposefully delayed the electronic release of my novels until I felt comfortable with the evolution of electronic distribution of my writings, and that my readership audience, who was accustomed to reading my books in hardcover format, would support my E-book publication. After receiving an incredible number of inquiries from book lovers all over the world expressing their desire to have my novels made available in E-book format and in multiple languages, I have become extremely comfortable that now is the time to launch selected books I have written on E-book format. This is very exciting!
Peter Thomas Senese is a storyteller focusing on messages in all formats that bespeak global connectivity.
Mr. Senese is actively involved in supporting issues that impact the lives of children, including demonstrative support of literacy programs and our nation's public libraries. He is actively engaged in numerous and extensive activities surrounding international child abduction prevention including the production of the groundbreaking documentary film on IPCA titled CHASING PARENTS, the publication of the landmark resource guide titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and various actively evolving around legislation that will protect children and others from international child abduction or, malicious online impersonation.
To learn more about Peter Thomas Senese and his various writings, activities, child advocacy, or to order an autographed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's novels, please visit his official website (www.petersenese.com, www.thedenoftheassassin.info, www.chasingthecyclone.com, or www.peterthomassenese.blogspot.com). All of Peter Thomas Senese's books (print and E-book) are available through all traditional online and traditional bookstores as well as his personal website where consumers may order a signed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's books.
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/peter-thomas-senese-best-selling-geopolitical-novelist-rele-pr-332915.html
Peter Senese commented on THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, "For readers who enjoy fast-paced, multi-dimensional plots based upon historical events, substantial and thorough research, and plausible possibilities relevant to the world we live in today, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN will take readers on a thrilling global geopolitical journey that begins in New York City's Wall Street, but soon darts into the hidden and unseen worlds that exists within nations that have highly questionable agendas towards the United States and the West, including but not limited to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. And it is here, in these hidden worlds that disturbing plans that stand against America and the West's idea of liberty and freedom are carefully hatched and cultivated. Most concerningly, as each nation has become more reliant on one another in our global society, a new level of extraordinary vulnerability to our national security has been created, one perhaps we may not be prepared for. In THE DEN OF THE ASSASIN, I believe readers will find the uniquely accurate information on this subject that is carefully weaved through an intricate, entertaining storyline to be quite fascinating - and disturbing."
THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN opens in New York City, where an unassuming investment banker, Tyler Boxter, is preoccupied with his all-consuming career on Wall Street that acts as a personal shield against the trappings of life that hide guilt and pain and memories he doesn't want. In the midst of the biggest deal of his successful career, and unknown to Boxter, he is about to play a sophisticated but explosive game against a madman who is more savage and merciless than the winds of an atomic holocaust.
Once a mysterious theft leads Boxter from the sanctity of his Wall Street office and thrusts him into the dark world of international terrorism -- where zealot religious leaders stir and awaken hateful minds in the brutal desserts in the capitol of the Middle East's ancient, once mighty empire, where dark, sunken eyes eager to return to world-glory look into the abyss of Siberia's desolate terrains, where prisoners -citizens- who live on a remote peninsula in Asia would rather submit to isolationist cleansing than feel the wrath of a deceitful troll intent on destroying the ideals of the West - and where a city of scientists continue their unseen diabolical activity deep in the earth and protected by the menacing walls that surround the Forbidden City - knowing that what they have embarked upon is the West's greatest nightmare.
Peter Thomas Senese: writer, filmmaker, and dedicated child advocate will commence his E-book launch by releasing the highly praised, spine-tingling Post 9-11 financial espionage and geopolitical thriller that catapults the reader into a world of incomprehensible possibilities and insane apocalyptic challenges in Senese's intense, page-turning 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN', which will be released on September 11th, 2011. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is presently available in hardcover format from traditional retailers and online merchants. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN was initially released in hardcover prior to the author's unexpected race into the cyclones of international child abduction. CHASING THE CYCLONE, inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's experiences in the horrific arena and depicts the horrific insanity of having a child internationally kidnapped, will be released in hardcover later on November 1st, 2011.
Reviewers of THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN have praised Peter Thomas Senese's storytelling. Renowned book critic Daniel Jolley commented: "This is one seriously good thriller. Billed as "a novel of international finance and espionage," Den of the Assassin is a super-realistic exploration of frightening possibilities, unsurpassed heroism, Lucifer-like evil, and terrorism of the worst kind ... The novel revolves around some kind of Day of the Jackal-like assassination plot, but the complexity of this novel stretches its tendrils deeply into international finance, the vagaries of the American legal and health care systems, international terrorism, diplomacy, intelligence, WMD, and cold-blooded murder - with a little romance thrown in just to stir up the pot a little more. Peter Thomas Senese does a masterful job traversing the inner hallways of diverse institutions as he slowly brings all of these diverse elements together for a slam-bang climax ... Peter Thomas Senese displays a wealth of knowledge of geopolitics, espionage, and international finance, describing all the technical intricacies of the story's elements and implications with great attention to detail -without ever letting the pace get bogged down or become confusing to the reader. He also keeps a number of secrets close to the vest, saving them for just the right time in the story. This serves to make the book thoroughly believable and increasingly suspenseful. There's no shortage of action here. What Tyler finds himself involved in is nothing less than a war, and he must fight to save not only himself, his friends, and his company, but his very country from an unimaginable catastrophe. The Father's network of agents and killers is as formidable as they come, and the security-related forces Tyler brings into the game are some of the best money can buy. In the end, though, the drama becomes deeply personal, as The Father and Tyler Boxter rush headlong toward a face-to-face encounter of epic proportions . . . Many a writer of thrillers seem to drop the ball somewhere in the middle of their novels, but Peter Thomas Senese's knowledge of geopolitics, international finance, and 21st century terrorist threats keeps the fires of detailed complexity and story evolution stoked and red-hot for the entire ride. Tyler Boxter is no James Bond, but Den of the Assassin proves to be just as exciting as any 007 caper - and much more realistic."
The best-Selling author Peter Senese's upcoming E-book series launch of selected publications from the novelist's previously released and upcoming international geopolitical thriller genre' publications will occur over a six month period and will include a total of four new edition E-book format releases that are intended to be translated and made available in multiple languages, allowing the growing number of readers who enjoy Mr. Senese's novels immediate and affordable access to his written works.
The gut-wrenching, inspirational theological thriller 'Cloning Christ' that jettisons readers to the spiritual and physical battlefront of good vs. evil in Peter Thomas Senese's electrifying, bone-chilling story of faith evolves around the global manhunt for Dr. Max Train, a once-devout, now faithless genomic scientist who may be in possession of the True Cross of Jesus of Nazareth. Cloning Christ will cause heart-racing readers to contemplate the challenges between science and faith while contemplating physical and spiritual issues we all face today in our pursuit to enrich the human condition and experience.
'Cloning Christ' will be released in E-book on October 15th, 2011.
Peter Thomas Senese's deeply personal novel, 'Chasing The Cyclone', the critically acclaimed heart-pounding international legal thriller of a father and son's unbowed and unbreakable love and belief in one another in lieu of a wicked international child abduction as told in a way very few writers ever could, and that was inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's unimaginable experiences as a parent chasing the cyclone of international child abduction, will released in hardcover and E-book on November 1st, 2011.
'Predator's Games' the riveting sequel of 'The Den of the Assassin', that propels readers into the shocking and deadly world of alternative energy speculation and depicts the world's power-nations conspiring against one another in an extremely dangerous and potentially cataclysmic quest to control what was once the unthinkable unfolds as unique characters initially introduced in 'The Den of the Assassin' race into real and startling possibilities evolving around advances in alternative energy and mankind's greed. 'Predator's Games' by Peter Thomas Senese will be released during the Thanksgiving Holiday Season.
QUEST, the sequel of CLONING CHRIST will be released during the early spring of 2012, and THE PRODUCTION is presently scheduled to be released in May, 2012.
In keeping true to the outspoken child abduction advocate's intent and desire to raise public awareness on the growing plague known as international parental child abduction, and staying steadfast to his desire to assist children and their parents at risk of being criminally kidnapped abroad, Peter Thomas Senese recently released the extensive and landmark resource guide on this subject he co-authored with renown child advocate Carolyn Vlk titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. Mr. Senese and Ms. Vlk made the highly informative publication available free of charge via E-book on his personal websites (including www.peterthomassenese.com or www.chasingthecyclone.com) so that those individuals around the world who may need the contained information may have immediate access to it. THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN is also available from traditional E-book retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Peter Thomas Senese commented, "I am extremely pleased to announce the E-book publications of selected novels that readers from all over the world have embraced. It is indeed a very humbling experience to have such a large and diverse number of book lovers from Los Angeles to Christ Church to Beijing to St. Petersburg to Athens to Oslo to The Isle of Skye to New York, and from Anchorage to Cape Town and places in between to have interest in my novels.
"I am, as I will continue to be, extremely grateful for the worldwide reception my stories have received. This interest and appreciation supports my strong belief that society continues to evolve into global citizens, and with each and every passing day, the concerns or interests that one person shares in one part of the world has relevance to another person living on the other side of the planet. I think this is truly remarkable, particularly since one of the primary undercurrents of each of my books is the value of global citizenship. The other undercurrent - and I once thought this was a secret only a few readers realized, but in time I came to know how much I have been mistaken - is that if you hear the voice attached to the words in my novels, you will hear the voice of a parent who deeply loves his child. As I now have come to understand, a substantial number of my readers have heard and indentified with that voice. So perhaps these are two of the reasons why my writing continues to be embraced and evolve onto the global stage."
Not lost on Peter Thomas Senese, who splits his time between New York and Los Angeles is that 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN's E-book release falls a day after September 11th, 2011. Commenting from New York's Ground Zero where he was paying tribute on the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil, Peter Senese commented, "Having spent substantial time here, in and around New York's Ground Zero, losing many close friends and having had many other friends and family directly impacted by the malicious attacks or who were attached to the rescue operations, including an amazing heroic brother who was and is today with the FDNY, I was witness to the pain, suffering, and tragedy that occurred. But as you can see, on September 11th and the days that lead up to the unprovoked attacks against an innocent people that believe in freedom, an isolated group of men and women from around the world lost their faith in God and in each other. However, as those moments and days after these attacks occurred as has been demonstrated, mankind demonstrated an incredible belief in one another and in God. It was in our resolve, determination, and spirited remembrance for those who left this physical world, only to move on to His world, took place, that we were able to feel and see the love, the miracles, and the human connectivity of man's goodness. On a personal note, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, which is very much a New York book, I believe replicates the great spirit that surged forward that day and the days that ensued in New York City and the world thereafter. In fact, I wrote portions of this story on Wall Street; inside Trinity Church, inside Federal Hall, and from a historic building built in 1836 and was once the headquaters for National City Bank - Citibank. There is no question in the story that is THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is there ever a failure to remember what occurred that day."
According to the Association of American Publishers, E-book sales represent the largest single format for book sales in the United States. Paperback sales are considered second, followed by hardcover book sales, both of which sales figures continue to decline.
Peter Senese added, "As an author who embraces my publishing independence, and having had considerable success, including having several of my books hit and stay on various publishing-industry best-seller lists, the ever-expanding use of e-book readers will allow for good writers with important issues that they desire to share with worldwide opportunity to reach audiences via e-book publications. Over the course of the past years, I have purposefully delayed the electronic release of my novels until I felt comfortable with the evolution of electronic distribution of my writings, and that my readership audience, who was accustomed to reading my books in hardcover format, would support my E-book publication. After receiving an incredible number of inquiries from book lovers all over the world expressing their desire to have my novels made available in E-book format and in multiple languages, I have become extremely comfortable that now is the time to launch selected books I have written on E-book format. This is very exciting!
Peter Thomas Senese is a storyteller focusing on messages in all formats that bespeak global connectivity.
Mr. Senese is actively involved in supporting issues that impact the lives of children, including demonstrative support of literacy programs and our nation's public libraries. He is actively engaged in numerous and extensive activities surrounding international child abduction prevention including the production of the groundbreaking documentary film on IPCA titled CHASING PARENTS, the publication of the landmark resource guide titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and various actively evolving around legislation that will protect children and others from international child abduction or, malicious online impersonation.
To learn more about Peter Thomas Senese and his various writings, activities, child advocacy, or to order an autographed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's novels, please visit his official website (www.petersenese.com, www.thedenoftheassassin.info, www.chasingthecyclone.com, or www.peterthomassenese.blogspot.com). All of Peter Thomas Senese's books (print and E-book) are available through all traditional online and traditional bookstores as well as his personal website where consumers may order a signed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's books.
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/peter-thomas-senese-best-selling-geopolitical-novelist-rele-pr-332915.html
Monday, September 12, 2011
Peter Thomas Senese: Best-Selling Geopolitical Novelist Releases Electrifying International Financial-Political Thriller THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN: Senese Launches E-book Series
Author Peter Thomas Senese is pleased to announce the E-book release of the international espionage thriller titled THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN on September 11h, 2011. Critics have praised THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN as an international financial espionage thriller steeped in the modern-day realities of our post 9-11 world, providing the story a visceral prescience teeming with realism and frightful possibilities of global cyber and biological terrorism, and Peter Senese as a masterful writer of international intrigue. Peter Senese's THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is the first E-book release in a series of the best-selling author's previously hardcover releases of his noteworthy historical fiction novels, which include CLONING CHRIST, CHASING THE CYCLONE, PREDATORS GAMES (Winter, 2011), and QUEST (Spring, 2012).
Peter Senese commented on THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, "For readers who enjoy fast-paced, multi-dimensional plots based upon historical events, substantial and thorough research, and plausible possibilities relevant to the world we live in today, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN will take readers on a thrilling global geopolitical journey that begins in New York City's Wall Street, but soon darts into the hidden and unseen worlds that exists within nations that have highly questionable agendas towards the United States and the West, including but not limited to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. And it is here, in these hidden worlds that disturbing plans that stand against America and the West's idea of liberty and freedom are carefully hatched and cultivated. Most concerningly, as each nation has become more reliant on one another in our global society, a new level of extraordinary vulnerability to our national security has been created, one perhaps we may not be prepared for. In THE DEN OF THE ASSASIN, I believe readers will find the uniquely accurate information on this subject that is carefully weaved through an intricate, entertaining storyline to be quite fascinating - and disturbing."
THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN opens in New York City, where an unassuming investment banker, Tyler Boxter, is preoccupied with his all-consuming career on Wall Street that acts as a personal shield against the trappings of life that hide guilt and pain and memories he doesn't want. In the midst of the biggest deal of his successful career, and unknown to Boxter, he is about to play a sophisticated but explosive game against a madman who is more savage and merciless than the winds of an atomic holocaust.
Once a mysterious theft leads Boxter from the sanctity of his Wall Street office and thrusts him into the dark world of international terrorism -- where zealot religious leaders stir and awaken hateful minds in the brutal desserts in the capitol of the Middle East's ancient, once mighty empire, where dark, sunken eyes eager to return to world-glory look into the abyss of Siberia's desolate terrains, where prisoners -citizens- who live on a remote peninsula in Asia would rather submit to isolationist cleansing than feel the wrath of a deceitful troll intent on destroying the ideals of the West - and where a city of scientists continue their unseen diabolical activity deep in the earth and protected by the menacing walls that surround the Forbidden City - knowing that what they have embarked upon is the West's greatest nightmare.
Peter Thomas Senese: writer, filmmaker, and dedicated child advocate will commence his E-book launch by releasing the highly praised, spine-tingling Post 9-11 financial espionage and geopolitical thriller that catapults the reader into a world of incomprehensible possibilities and insane apocalyptic challenges in Senese's intense, page-turning 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN', which will be released on September 11th, 2011. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is presently available in hardcover format from traditional retailers and online merchants. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN was initially released in hardcover prior to the author's unexpected race into the cyclones of international child abduction. CHASING THE CYCLONE, inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's experiences in the horrific arena and depicts the horrific insanity of having a child internationally kidnapped, will be released in hardcover later on November 1st, 2011.
Reviewers of THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN have praised Peter Thomas Senese's storytelling. Renowned book critic Daniel Jolley commented: "This is one seriously good thriller. Billed as "a novel of international finance and espionage," Den of the Assassin is a super-realistic exploration of frightening possibilities, unsurpassed heroism, Lucifer-like evil, and terrorism of the worst kind ... The novel revolves around some kind of Day of the Jackal-like assassination plot, but the complexity of this novel stretches its tendrils deeply into international finance, the vagaries of the American legal and health care systems, international terrorism, diplomacy, intelligence, WMD, and cold-blooded murder - with a little romance thrown in just to stir up the pot a little more. Peter Thomas Senese does a masterful job traversing the inner hallways of diverse institutions as he slowly brings all of these diverse elements together for a slam-bang climax ... Peter Thomas Senese displays a wealth of knowledge of geopolitics, espionage, and international finance, describing all the technical intricacies of the story's elements and implications with great attention to detail -without ever letting the pace get bogged down or become confusing to the reader. He also keeps a number of secrets close to the vest, saving them for just the right time in the story. This serves to make the book thoroughly believable and increasingly suspenseful. There's no shortage of action here. What Tyler finds himself involved in is nothing less than a war, and he must fight to save not only himself, his friends, and his company, but his very country from an unimaginable catastrophe. The Father's network of agents and killers is as formidable as they come, and the security-related forces Tyler brings into the game are some of the best money can buy. In the end, though, the drama becomes deeply personal, as The Father and Tyler Boxter rush headlong toward a face-to-face encounter of epic proportions . . . Many a writer of thrillers seem to drop the ball somewhere in the middle of their novels, but Peter Thomas Senese's knowledge of geopolitics, international finance, and 21st century terrorist threats keeps the fires of detailed complexity and story evolution stoked and red-hot for the entire ride. Tyler Boxter is no James Bond, but Den of the Assassin proves to be just as exciting as any 007 caper - and much more realistic."
The best-Selling author Peter Senese's upcoming E-book series launch of selected publications from the novelist's previously released and upcoming international geopolitical thriller genre' publications will occur over a six month period and will include a total of four new edition E-book format releases that are intended to be translated and made available in multiple languages, allowing the growing number of readers who enjoy Mr. Senese's novels immediate and affordable access to his written works.
The gut-wrenching, inspirational theological thriller 'Cloning Christ' that jettisons readers to the spiritual and physical battlefront of good vs. evil in Peter Thomas Senese's electrifying, bone-chilling story of faith evolves around the global manhunt for Dr. Max Train, a once-devout, now faithless genomic scientist who may be in possession of the True Cross of Jesus of Nazareth. Cloning Christ will cause heart-racing readers to contemplate the challenges between science and faith while contemplating physical and spiritual issues we all face today in our pursuit to enrich the human condition and experience.
'Cloning Christ' will be released in E-book on October 15th, 2011.
Peter Thomas Senese's deeply personal novel, 'Chasing The Cyclone', the critically acclaimed heart-pounding international legal thriller of a father and son's unbowed and unbreakable love and belief in one another in lieu of a wicked international child abduction as told in a way very few writers ever could, and that was inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's unimaginable experiences as a parent chasing the cyclone of international child abduction, will released in hardcover and E-book on November 1st, 2011.
'Predator's Games' the riveting sequel of 'The Den of the Assassin', that propels readers into the shocking and deadly world of alternative energy speculation and depicts the world's power-nations conspiring against one another in an extremely dangerous and potentially cataclysmic quest to control what was once the unthinkable unfolds as unique characters initially introduced in 'The Den of the Assassin' race into real and startling possibilities evolving around advances in alternative energy and mankind's greed. 'Predator's Games' by Peter Thomas Senese will be released during the Thanksgiving Holiday Season.
QUEST, the sequel of CLONING CHRIST will be released during the early spring of 2012, and THE PRODUCTION is presently scheduled to be released in May, 2012.
In keeping true to the outspoken child abduction advocate's intent and desire to raise public awareness on the growing plague known as international parental child abduction, and staying steadfast to his desire to assist children and their parents at risk of being criminally kidnapped abroad, Peter Thomas Senese recently released the extensive and landmark resource guide on this subject he co-authored with renown child advocate Carolyn Vlk titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. Mr. Senese and Ms. Vlk made the highly informative publication available free of charge via E-book on his personal websites (including www.peterthomassenese.com or www.chasingthecyclone.com) so that those individuals around the world who may need the contained information may have immediate access to it. THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN is also available from traditional E-book retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Peter Thomas Senese commented, "I am extremely pleased to announce the E-book publications of selected novels that readers from all over the world have embraced. It is indeed a very humbling experience to have such a large and diverse number of book lovers from Los Angeles to Christ Church to Beijing to St. Petersburg to Athens to Oslo to The Isle of Skye to New York, and from Anchorage to Cape Town and places in between to have interest in my novels.
"I am, as I will continue to be, extremely grateful for the worldwide reception my stories have received. This interest and appreciation supports my strong belief that society continues to evolve into global citizens, and with each and every passing day, the concerns or interests that one person shares in one part of the world has relevance to another person living on the other side of the planet. I think this is truly remarkable, particularly since one of the primary undercurrents of each of my books is the value of global citizenship. The other undercurrent - and I once thought this was a secret only a few readers realized, but in time I came to know how much I have been mistaken - is that if you hear the voice attached to the words in my novels, you will hear the voice of a parent who deeply loves his child. As I now have come to understand, a substantial number of my readers have heard and indentified with that voice. So perhaps these are two of the reasons why my writing continues to be embraced and evolve onto the global stage."
Not lost on Peter Thomas Senese, who splits his time between New York and Los Angeles is that 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN's E-book release falls a day after September 11th, 2011. Commenting from New York's Ground Zero where he was paying tribute on the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil, Peter Senese commented, "Having spent substantial time here, in and around New York's Ground Zero, losing many close friends and having had many other friends and family directly impacted by the malicious attacks or who were attached to the rescue operations, including an amazing heroic brother who was and is today with the FDNY, I was witness to the pain, suffering, and tragedy that occurred. But as you can see, on September 11th and the days that lead up to the unprovoked attacks against an innocent people that believe in freedom, an isolated group of men and women from around the world lost their faith in God and in each other. However, as those moments and days after these attacks occurred as has been demonstrated, mankind demonstrated an incredible belief in one another and in God. It was in our resolve, determination, and spirited remembrance for those who left this physical world, only to move on to His world, took place, that we were able to feel and see the love, the miracles, and the human connectivity of man's goodness. On a personal note, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, which is very much a New York book, I believe replicates the great spirit that surged forward that day and the days that ensued in New York City and the world thereafter. In fact, I wrote portions of this story on Wall Street; inside Trinity Church, inside Federal Hall, and from a historic building built in 1836 and was once the headquaters for National City Bank - Citibank. There is no question in the story that is THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is there ever a failure to remember what occurred that day."
According to the Association of American Publishers, E-book sales represent the largest single format for book sales in the United States. Paperback sales are considered second, followed by hardcover book sales, both of which sales figures continue to decline.
Peter Senese added, "As an author who embraces my publishing independence, and having had considerable success, including having several of my books hit and stay on various publishing-industry best-seller lists, the ever-expanding use of e-book readers will allow for good writers with important issues that they desire to share with worldwide opportunity to reach audiences via e-book publications. Over the course of the past years, I have purposefully delayed the electronic release of my novels until I felt comfortable with the evolution of electronic distribution of my writings, and that my readership audience, who was accustomed to reading my books in hardcover format, would support my E-book publication. After receiving an incredible number of inquiries from book lovers all over the world expressing their desire to have my novels made available in E-book format and in multiple languages, I have become extremely comfortable that now is the time to launch selected books I have written on E-book format. This is very exciting!
Peter Thomas Senese is a storyteller focusing on messages in all formats that bespeak global connectivity.
Mr. Senese is actively involved in supporting issues that impact the lives of children, including demonstrative support of literacy programs and our nation's public libraries. He is actively engaged in numerous and extensive activities surrounding international child abduction prevention including the production of the groundbreaking documentary film on IPCA titled CHASING PARENTS, the publication of the landmark resource guide titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and various actively evolving around legislation that will protect children and others from international child abduction or, malicious online impersonation.
To learn more about Peter Thomas Senese and his various writings, activities, child advocacy, or to order an autographed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's novels, please visit his official website (http://www.petersenese.com/, www.thedenoftheassassin.info, www.chasingthecyclone.com, or www.peterthomassenese.blogspot.com). All of Peter Thomas Senese's books (print and E-book) are available through all traditional online and traditional bookstores as well as his personal website where consumers may order a signed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's books.
Peter Senese commented on THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, "For readers who enjoy fast-paced, multi-dimensional plots based upon historical events, substantial and thorough research, and plausible possibilities relevant to the world we live in today, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN will take readers on a thrilling global geopolitical journey that begins in New York City's Wall Street, but soon darts into the hidden and unseen worlds that exists within nations that have highly questionable agendas towards the United States and the West, including but not limited to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. And it is here, in these hidden worlds that disturbing plans that stand against America and the West's idea of liberty and freedom are carefully hatched and cultivated. Most concerningly, as each nation has become more reliant on one another in our global society, a new level of extraordinary vulnerability to our national security has been created, one perhaps we may not be prepared for. In THE DEN OF THE ASSASIN, I believe readers will find the uniquely accurate information on this subject that is carefully weaved through an intricate, entertaining storyline to be quite fascinating - and disturbing."
THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN opens in New York City, where an unassuming investment banker, Tyler Boxter, is preoccupied with his all-consuming career on Wall Street that acts as a personal shield against the trappings of life that hide guilt and pain and memories he doesn't want. In the midst of the biggest deal of his successful career, and unknown to Boxter, he is about to play a sophisticated but explosive game against a madman who is more savage and merciless than the winds of an atomic holocaust.
Once a mysterious theft leads Boxter from the sanctity of his Wall Street office and thrusts him into the dark world of international terrorism -- where zealot religious leaders stir and awaken hateful minds in the brutal desserts in the capitol of the Middle East's ancient, once mighty empire, where dark, sunken eyes eager to return to world-glory look into the abyss of Siberia's desolate terrains, where prisoners -citizens- who live on a remote peninsula in Asia would rather submit to isolationist cleansing than feel the wrath of a deceitful troll intent on destroying the ideals of the West - and where a city of scientists continue their unseen diabolical activity deep in the earth and protected by the menacing walls that surround the Forbidden City - knowing that what they have embarked upon is the West's greatest nightmare.
Peter Thomas Senese: writer, filmmaker, and dedicated child advocate will commence his E-book launch by releasing the highly praised, spine-tingling Post 9-11 financial espionage and geopolitical thriller that catapults the reader into a world of incomprehensible possibilities and insane apocalyptic challenges in Senese's intense, page-turning 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN', which will be released on September 11th, 2011. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is presently available in hardcover format from traditional retailers and online merchants. THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN was initially released in hardcover prior to the author's unexpected race into the cyclones of international child abduction. CHASING THE CYCLONE, inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's experiences in the horrific arena and depicts the horrific insanity of having a child internationally kidnapped, will be released in hardcover later on November 1st, 2011.
Reviewers of THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN have praised Peter Thomas Senese's storytelling. Renowned book critic Daniel Jolley commented: "This is one seriously good thriller. Billed as "a novel of international finance and espionage," Den of the Assassin is a super-realistic exploration of frightening possibilities, unsurpassed heroism, Lucifer-like evil, and terrorism of the worst kind ... The novel revolves around some kind of Day of the Jackal-like assassination plot, but the complexity of this novel stretches its tendrils deeply into international finance, the vagaries of the American legal and health care systems, international terrorism, diplomacy, intelligence, WMD, and cold-blooded murder - with a little romance thrown in just to stir up the pot a little more. Peter Thomas Senese does a masterful job traversing the inner hallways of diverse institutions as he slowly brings all of these diverse elements together for a slam-bang climax ... Peter Thomas Senese displays a wealth of knowledge of geopolitics, espionage, and international finance, describing all the technical intricacies of the story's elements and implications with great attention to detail -without ever letting the pace get bogged down or become confusing to the reader. He also keeps a number of secrets close to the vest, saving them for just the right time in the story. This serves to make the book thoroughly believable and increasingly suspenseful. There's no shortage of action here. What Tyler finds himself involved in is nothing less than a war, and he must fight to save not only himself, his friends, and his company, but his very country from an unimaginable catastrophe. The Father's network of agents and killers is as formidable as they come, and the security-related forces Tyler brings into the game are some of the best money can buy. In the end, though, the drama becomes deeply personal, as The Father and Tyler Boxter rush headlong toward a face-to-face encounter of epic proportions . . . Many a writer of thrillers seem to drop the ball somewhere in the middle of their novels, but Peter Thomas Senese's knowledge of geopolitics, international finance, and 21st century terrorist threats keeps the fires of detailed complexity and story evolution stoked and red-hot for the entire ride. Tyler Boxter is no James Bond, but Den of the Assassin proves to be just as exciting as any 007 caper - and much more realistic."
The best-Selling author Peter Senese's upcoming E-book series launch of selected publications from the novelist's previously released and upcoming international geopolitical thriller genre' publications will occur over a six month period and will include a total of four new edition E-book format releases that are intended to be translated and made available in multiple languages, allowing the growing number of readers who enjoy Mr. Senese's novels immediate and affordable access to his written works.
The gut-wrenching, inspirational theological thriller 'Cloning Christ' that jettisons readers to the spiritual and physical battlefront of good vs. evil in Peter Thomas Senese's electrifying, bone-chilling story of faith evolves around the global manhunt for Dr. Max Train, a once-devout, now faithless genomic scientist who may be in possession of the True Cross of Jesus of Nazareth. Cloning Christ will cause heart-racing readers to contemplate the challenges between science and faith while contemplating physical and spiritual issues we all face today in our pursuit to enrich the human condition and experience.
'Cloning Christ' will be released in E-book on October 15th, 2011.
Peter Thomas Senese's deeply personal novel, 'Chasing The Cyclone', the critically acclaimed heart-pounding international legal thriller of a father and son's unbowed and unbreakable love and belief in one another in lieu of a wicked international child abduction as told in a way very few writers ever could, and that was inspired by Peter Thomas Senese's unimaginable experiences as a parent chasing the cyclone of international child abduction, will released in hardcover and E-book on November 1st, 2011.
'Predator's Games' the riveting sequel of 'The Den of the Assassin', that propels readers into the shocking and deadly world of alternative energy speculation and depicts the world's power-nations conspiring against one another in an extremely dangerous and potentially cataclysmic quest to control what was once the unthinkable unfolds as unique characters initially introduced in 'The Den of the Assassin' race into real and startling possibilities evolving around advances in alternative energy and mankind's greed. 'Predator's Games' by Peter Thomas Senese will be released during the Thanksgiving Holiday Season.
QUEST, the sequel of CLONING CHRIST will be released during the early spring of 2012, and THE PRODUCTION is presently scheduled to be released in May, 2012.
In keeping true to the outspoken child abduction advocate's intent and desire to raise public awareness on the growing plague known as international parental child abduction, and staying steadfast to his desire to assist children and their parents at risk of being criminally kidnapped abroad, Peter Thomas Senese recently released the extensive and landmark resource guide on this subject he co-authored with renown child advocate Carolyn Vlk titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. Mr. Senese and Ms. Vlk made the highly informative publication available free of charge via E-book on his personal websites (including www.peterthomassenese.com or www.chasingthecyclone.com) so that those individuals around the world who may need the contained information may have immediate access to it. THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN is also available from traditional E-book retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Peter Thomas Senese commented, "I am extremely pleased to announce the E-book publications of selected novels that readers from all over the world have embraced. It is indeed a very humbling experience to have such a large and diverse number of book lovers from Los Angeles to Christ Church to Beijing to St. Petersburg to Athens to Oslo to The Isle of Skye to New York, and from Anchorage to Cape Town and places in between to have interest in my novels.
"I am, as I will continue to be, extremely grateful for the worldwide reception my stories have received. This interest and appreciation supports my strong belief that society continues to evolve into global citizens, and with each and every passing day, the concerns or interests that one person shares in one part of the world has relevance to another person living on the other side of the planet. I think this is truly remarkable, particularly since one of the primary undercurrents of each of my books is the value of global citizenship. The other undercurrent - and I once thought this was a secret only a few readers realized, but in time I came to know how much I have been mistaken - is that if you hear the voice attached to the words in my novels, you will hear the voice of a parent who deeply loves his child. As I now have come to understand, a substantial number of my readers have heard and indentified with that voice. So perhaps these are two of the reasons why my writing continues to be embraced and evolve onto the global stage."
Not lost on Peter Thomas Senese, who splits his time between New York and Los Angeles is that 'THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN's E-book release falls a day after September 11th, 2011. Commenting from New York's Ground Zero where he was paying tribute on the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil, Peter Senese commented, "Having spent substantial time here, in and around New York's Ground Zero, losing many close friends and having had many other friends and family directly impacted by the malicious attacks or who were attached to the rescue operations, including an amazing heroic brother who was and is today with the FDNY, I was witness to the pain, suffering, and tragedy that occurred. But as you can see, on September 11th and the days that lead up to the unprovoked attacks against an innocent people that believe in freedom, an isolated group of men and women from around the world lost their faith in God and in each other. However, as those moments and days after these attacks occurred as has been demonstrated, mankind demonstrated an incredible belief in one another and in God. It was in our resolve, determination, and spirited remembrance for those who left this physical world, only to move on to His world, took place, that we were able to feel and see the love, the miracles, and the human connectivity of man's goodness. On a personal note, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, which is very much a New York book, I believe replicates the great spirit that surged forward that day and the days that ensued in New York City and the world thereafter. In fact, I wrote portions of this story on Wall Street; inside Trinity Church, inside Federal Hall, and from a historic building built in 1836 and was once the headquaters for National City Bank - Citibank. There is no question in the story that is THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN is there ever a failure to remember what occurred that day."
According to the Association of American Publishers, E-book sales represent the largest single format for book sales in the United States. Paperback sales are considered second, followed by hardcover book sales, both of which sales figures continue to decline.
Peter Senese added, "As an author who embraces my publishing independence, and having had considerable success, including having several of my books hit and stay on various publishing-industry best-seller lists, the ever-expanding use of e-book readers will allow for good writers with important issues that they desire to share with worldwide opportunity to reach audiences via e-book publications. Over the course of the past years, I have purposefully delayed the electronic release of my novels until I felt comfortable with the evolution of electronic distribution of my writings, and that my readership audience, who was accustomed to reading my books in hardcover format, would support my E-book publication. After receiving an incredible number of inquiries from book lovers all over the world expressing their desire to have my novels made available in E-book format and in multiple languages, I have become extremely comfortable that now is the time to launch selected books I have written on E-book format. This is very exciting!
Peter Thomas Senese is a storyteller focusing on messages in all formats that bespeak global connectivity.
Mr. Senese is actively involved in supporting issues that impact the lives of children, including demonstrative support of literacy programs and our nation's public libraries. He is actively engaged in numerous and extensive activities surrounding international child abduction prevention including the production of the groundbreaking documentary film on IPCA titled CHASING PARENTS, the publication of the landmark resource guide titled THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and various actively evolving around legislation that will protect children and others from international child abduction or, malicious online impersonation.
To learn more about Peter Thomas Senese and his various writings, activities, child advocacy, or to order an autographed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's novels, please visit his official website (http://www.petersenese.com/, www.thedenoftheassassin.info, www.chasingthecyclone.com, or www.peterthomassenese.blogspot.com). All of Peter Thomas Senese's books (print and E-book) are available through all traditional online and traditional bookstores as well as his personal website where consumers may order a signed and dedicated copy of one of Peter's books.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11th: They Are Not Gone. They Are Not Forgotten. They Live In Each of Our Hearts Every Day.
On September 11th, 2011 I lost over 70 friends in New York City. Some of my friends were childhood pals, some were friends from university, and some were professional colleagues. Some of my friends I played baseball with, some I studied with, others I drank with, and some I worked on Wall Street with. A handful were firefighters or police officers. A handful were bankers. Some worked in insurance, while others worked in communication. Together, they were actively part of my life.
I rarely speak about just how much time I spent down in Ground Zero. A part of me has always felt the emptiness of missing my pals. A part of me remembers my own fear while being inside the pit. A part of me, oh so very easily can easily recall the taste of the carbon - the soot of glass, concrete, steel, paper, wood, and flesh - swirling in the air for months on end. Taste an ashtray. That is the taste of Ground Zero. Perhaps I don't want to be reminded of the sights I had seen ... not from a television set ... not from behind the fence ... not from a newspaper or a book: my eyes' memories come from being inside the pit. Or from standing on the roof of Ladder 10/ Engine 10's firehouse on Liberty Street.
I was not in New York that day, but instead on the West Coast ... running on a beach that early morning in Malibu when I heard of what happened when a group of surfers gathered once news quickly spread. I remember the swell of fear that covered me.
You see, I knew my brother John, an amazing New York City Firefighter, was working that day, and his firehouse would be in the red zone of immediate response. John is my middle brother, as I was first born.
I know how John is: he is as tough as nails: physically powerful, mental unbendable (despite being 5'6" tall and at the time being 150 lbs, John played nose tackle on a Metropolitan based adult semi-pro football team: he was that strong, that stubborn, and that good!).
So, when the news of the first tower getting hit, I knew my brother would be going up. And I knew in my gut that there was going to be another attack someplace, though I did not know or think the other tower would have gotten hit. But I knew regardless - John - who always put others first - would be there doing his duty - giving a damn - and making a difference.
My brother did.
When the second tower got hit, I froze in despair. Surely, my brother was there. Equally, my friends ... a great part of my life.... was under attack even though I was 2,300 miles away.
I remember I couldn't get through on the telephone. And as I raced off the beach, knowing that there was no way I would be able to fly back to NYC.... I could not help but know that things were more than dark.
Standing in front of my television, desperate but unable to reach my giant family in New York City, I watched as the first and the second tower fell. With it, the loss of so many wonderful, innocent lives. Men and women who worked in the buildings. And the first responders.... my brother.... as hard as nails.... FDNY.
Frantic, and soon learning that all flights had been cancelled, I was left in despair ... my friends ... my family ... America was under attack.
Eventually, I was able to reach my mother. She was crying. My brother John had called my mom and dad. He told them that they were amazing parents. He told them to live life to the fullest. He told them he had his duty to uphold. And he told them he loved them. And then he said 'Good-bye".
That was all I knew at the time. I, like everyone else was glued to a television set, while my fingers kept making calls to certain friends ... seeing if and how I could get back east.... somehow.
I did soon enough. But I will keep that to myself.
Well, my family never heard from my brother that day. Or that night. The next day, John was placed on the 'Missing List' created by the FDNY. There were many 'brothers' on that list. Too many. All brave, selfless, and tough-as-nails. They were the opposite of the cowards who attacked our great nation.
So on the 12th, I begin my voyage back to my NYC. It was a long journey, but not as quick as you may think.
At some time after midnight on the 13th the phone rings in my parent's home. My brother is alive.
John shared with me how his life was spared by chance. As it turned out, he switched days with a friend of his, Neil Levy, so that he could go fishing that day with our friend and fellow firefighter Eddie Fehey (Eddie was the chauffer for Chief Pfifer, and was on the West Side Highway that morning attending to a gas leak when the first tower got hit {I am happy to share that Eddie is alive and as he was, and as he is, a Good Man}.
John did in fact arrive down at Ground Zero soon after the towers were hit. You see, every firefighter in this wonderful city of ours immediately rushed to duty no matter where they were. John was not unique in that sense, but rather, he was part of a very unique group of men and women who were part of the FDNY.
Well, needless to say, my brother did go into one of the towers. And just like what Eddie said, they were more worried initially at that time of not having the buildings come down on them, but instead having the jumpers land on them - the scores of men and women who took there own life from high above - and left this world on their own terms rather than the terms of terrorist.
Eventually, those buildings did come down. And John was there ... but he had just gotten out. But the explosion had tossed him into a local building where he would remain for some time.
During that same time that the buildings came down, my cousin John, a detective with the NYPD took shelter under a fire engine on Liberty Street. The truck, demolished, saved his life. Both my brother John and my cousin John were named after my grandfather John - his Italian last name meaning 'One who is protected by God'.
Now many of you know what occurred in the midst of the 11th, and the days that followed. But there was so much that did not get reported.
When I arrived into NYC, I was soon able to have access to GZ. I will share some of this over the next day. But nevertheless, I was there, volunteering my time to help.
As for my brother, John did what every first-responder did: he searched ... hoping ... so desperately hoping to bring his other brothers home. And he did not stop....
He did not stop looking for Neil. John was determined to bring his good friend - who took his place that day - home.
On December 25th, Christmas Day, John was down at the pit. I was surprised to hear that he was there because the city had mandated that the firefighters had limited access to the pit due to health reasons (I remember being on the West Side Highway when the FDNY and the NYPD clashed over Mayor Giuliani’s decision to prohibit the FDNY from searching for their fallen brothers down at GZ, the fights that broke out during the rally down and around GZ).
Well on that day, my brother called me. His voice was very different. He spoke with a strong sense of conviction and strength. A sense of relief. A sense of peace.
In a sea of steel and stone and concrete and wood and glass and paper and flesh, amidst the smoke and stench of death, in the darkness that was, my brother John, a tough-as-nails New York City Firefighter found Neil. I don't know why he had called me when he did, but he did. Soon after, my brother led an honor guard and carried his dear friend, his brother Neil Levy out of the darkness of that hellhole.
That day, miracles of miracles, the fires of Ground Zero ceased to exist. Again, the fires that burned in Ground Zero ended on December 25th.
There are no coincidences my friends. None.
And now I remember why I do not talk about these days often...
I'm not as tough as I would like to think...
And I do cry rather easily.... like right now. Again.
I will leave you with these thoughts: We Will Never Forget Those That Gave Of Their Lives The Way They Did. They Are Not Gone. They Are Not Forgotten. They Live In Each of Our Hearts.
Secondly, God Was There. And He Did Have A Purpose. Faith In Not Just A Word.
In addition, and forever, a city that celebrates our differences - New York City, and for that matter, our nation - thanks the heroic FDNY, NYPD, and Port Authority Workers who acted that day. I also acknowledge the iron-workers who acted in great capacity the days that followed. You are unspoken heroes, too.
Lastly, and most of all, may God bless each of you who he called to join him. In my heart I know you are each in a better place. A place I hope to get to one day. And even though I hope to get where you are one day ... it does not mean I don't miss you a great deal. Each of you.
Friends, I am sure you will be reflecting on the events that took place a decade ago today. Personally, since that time, I have really learned not to take anything for granted. And that includes my friendships. Thank you for yours.
Peter Thomas Senese
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