Thriller author Peter Sacks is chatting with me about his new poli-philosophical thriller, Libertyland.
Bio:
Peter Sacks is an award-winning author and social critic. He’s the author of Libertyland, a philosophical thriller, just published in February. His Pulitzer Prize-nominated book, Tearing Down the Gates: Confronting the Class Divide in American Education (University of California Press) won the Frederic W. Ness Book Award from the Association of American Colleges and Universities. He is also the author of Standardized Minds: The High Price of America’s Testing Culture and What We Can Do to Change It (DaCapo Press).
His articles and essays on education have appeared in a variety of publications including: The Huffington Post, The Nation, The Boston Review, and The New York Times. Several have won awards including two Pulitzer Prize nominations. His lectures include appearances at the Harvard Club, University of Notre Dame, and Columbia University. His keynote speeches across the United States have inspired countless individuals to think deeply about social class, education, and democracy.
Welcome, Peter. Please tell us about your current release.
Libertyland Echoes January 6 in a Gripping Tale of Terror and the Quest for American Ideals
Peter Sacks delivers a provocative thriller exploring the boundaries of freedom and individualism in the shadow of America’s most recent domestic upheaval.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, FEBRUARY 28, 2024 – AIA Publishing is thrilled to announce the launch of “LIBERTYLAND,” the latest novel by twice Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Peter Sacks. Set for release on February 28, 2024, this political thriller is poised to redefine the genre, offering a gripping narrative that mirrors the complexities of modern American society.
In “LIBERTYLAND,” readers are plunged into a chilling scenario reminiscent of January 6, entwined with philosophical insights akin to Ayn Rand’s exploration of individualism. The story follows Carson McCready, a former Navy Seal who becomes the prime suspect in the most devastating domestic terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. His quest to clear his name uncovers a clandestine society of Libertarian billionaires bent on establishing a ruthless capitalist utopia, regardless of the cost.
Peter Sacks diverges from traditional thriller archetypes with Carson McCready, a protagonist who challenges the norms with his reflective views on freedom, individualism, and civic duty. “LIBERTYLAND” is not just a story of intrigue and espionage; it’s a profound commentary on the nature of freedom, the importance of civic responsibility, and the enduring power of love.
Embark on a journey with “LIBERTYLAND” – where the quest for truth leads to the heart of American democracy’s most pressing dilemmas.
What inspired you to write this book?
As a nonfiction author and journalist, I wanted to write a novel that I’d love to read, a “Zeitgeist” sort of book that captures the present moment of American history and culture.
Excerpt from Libertyland:
After retiring from the Navy three years ago, he had tried to keep his goals reasonable. Settling down, enjoying some solitude, taking the longboard to Tourmaline Beach—like the old days. Just stopping. Doing crossword puzzles over morning coffee. Taking Diego to the beach. Playing golf at Torrey Pines. Finding a simple job to make ends meet. Giving in to a sense of lightness and freedom. Like his days as a kid by the ocean, when he could breathe and splash as loud as he wanted. Not feeling the constant danger of his own breath, when merely breathing too loudly could get you killed.
He’d been out of work since mustering out, not counting his brief stint as a security consultant. For Carson that had been a transition gig to ease himself back into civilian life, as his commanding officer had advised him. Finding a normal life now seemed like a joke. The past was in the past, but Carson’s past was an ornery bastard for whom lightness and freedom were apparently verboten.
He fixed a quick meal of beans, cheese, and a tortilla, washing it down with a cold beer. He flipped on the TV. He was just settling in when his phone lit up with a local number.
“McCready here.” “Carson?” “Speaking.”
“Johnny Petit. Catch you at a bad time?”
“I’m enjoying a cold beer and some Aztec basketball.
What’s up, Johnny?”
“Carson, just wanted to say I liked what I saw today. I’m hoping you’ll stick with us. The suits really need this telemarketing deal to work.”
Carson let a moment pass.
“What do you say, cowboy? Did I hire the right man?” Carson hesitated, then remembered the bills piling up. “I’m your cowboy, Johnny. I told you. I need the job.” “Glad to hear you say that. I’m happy as a pig in a tar pit.” Carson hung up.
On reflection the whole deal was weird. The beach. The dogs. The bullshit. Always the bullshit. But Jane, the headhunter, was helpful, and had brightened what had otherwise been a bad day at the beach.
At the job interview, Petit had peppered him with questions. Jane had told him about the fight.
“Why didn’t you hit back? The guy kicked you in the nuts, for Christ’s sake,” Petit had said.
“I don’t mess with civilians. That’s why.” “Hell’s that mean?”
“Always leads to law enforcement.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, plenty of law enforcement around here, McCready.”
He told Petit most of the truth about himself. Forty- seven years old. Retired Navy. Taught basic training. Grew up by the ocean. He didn’t tell Petit that he trained tadpoles, newbies in basic underwater demolition for the SEALs. Nor that he had reached the rank of master chief petty officer of a sixteen-member SEAL platoon and led off-book kill missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Northern Africa.
He told few people those facts.
After three years Carson still wasn’t ready to talk openly about his time as a SEAL. Endless war. Comrades dead, or alive but in pieces. Too much damned trouble. Too many SEAL headlines and tell-all books. Some guys might enjoy embellishing war stories to new bosses. To Carson that was like sticking your head up from the water’s surface to get your mouth shot off. Big mouths always led to big trouble.
What exciting project are you working on next?
Working on a new novel, a work of literary speculative fiction titled “Ailia’s Choice.”
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably by high school.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like?
Yes, I work in the mornings when I think most clearly. I take a break in the afternoons to walk with my dog or play some golf, which is great for clearing the mind. I work late afternoons and early evenings.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t know if it’s a quirk, but I read mostly classical literature and philosophy. They are the bedrock for me in terms of the themes I like to tackle as a novelist. Libertyland is about freedom, deeply explored, as told through characters and the storyline. I think of Libertyland as the literary answer to Ayn Rand.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I can’t recall. I was always a sensitive, thinking child. I also loved to play.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I have a dog named Joe, a yellow lab. I live in a motorhome. I’ve been in northern California for about a year. I’m from Seattle. I’ve lived all over. Montana, Connecticut, San Diego, Oregon, Idaho. I have two masters’ degrees, one in economics and the other in journalism. I’m a golfer and play to a 6 handicap.
Links:
Website | Amazon | Barnes and Noble