Winner — 2025 Pacific
Book Award for Best Historical Fiction
Winner — 2025 International Impact Award for Historical Military Fiction
Grand prize winner –
2022 CIBA Dante Rossetti Award for YA fiction
First place honors – 2022 CIBA Hemingway Award for wartime fiction
#1 Amazon Best Seller—Jan 2024—Historical World War I Fiction
In the summer of 1914,
sixteen-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to join the Great War for
Civilization. Little does he know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the
true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from
Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.
Filled with such
historical figures as Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal
bin Hussein and Chaim Weizmann, Wages of Empire follows Evan through the
killing fields of the Western Front where he will help turn the tide of a war
that is just beginning, and become part of a story that’s still being written.
“Masterful storytelling
will keep you furiously turning the pages of this compelling (historical WWI)
novel. A winner!”–Andrew Kaplan, New York Times Best-Selling Author of Blue
Madagascar and the Homeland Novels
“The characters,
historical and fictional, come to life on the page as the storyline drives
relentlessly forward. Bravo!”–Matt Coyle, bestselling author of the Rick Cahill
novels
“A beautifully written
tale…exhibits seamless research in illuminating unforgettable historical and
fictional characters…a tour de force!” –Professor Ronit Meroz, Dept of Jewish
Philosophy and Talmud, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
“This superb historical
novel is a must read…directly relates to issues we face today.” –Rizek
Abusharr – Emeritus Director General of Jerusalem International YMCA
“Cooper has made this
period of history come alive. It is a treat to read.” –Rabbi David Zisenwine,
Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education, Tel Aviv University
“A Young Indiana
Jones–style adventure.” –KIRKUS reviews
“Story is gripping and
the characters that he describes come alive through his skillful writing. I
couldn’t put it down!” –Rabbi Gordon Freeman, Ph.D., Rabbi Emeritus, B’nai
Shalom, Walnut Creek, CA
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Crossroads of Empire
Book 2
Winner — 2025
International Impact Award for Historical War & Military Fiction
Winner of
the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime
Historical Fiction
2024 SF Writers
Conference Writing Contest Finalist-Adult Fiction
“. . . both a
gripping page turner and a series of carefully observed character studies.
Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads
of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages” -Chanticleer
Book Reviews.
The story of Evan
Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads
of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire
in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely
survives his hospital ship’s sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he
no longer remembers who he is.
Likewise, Evan doesn’t
recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is in
Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount that Kaiser Wilhelm
II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and the Suez
Canal.
The Middle East Front
soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan’s story is
interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence,
Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann.
During his quest to
recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for
his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage that
stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great
War.
“Cooper
masterfully crafts a novel that intertwines vivid characters and complex
themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue. This
unique combination makes it a must-read for fans of both genres.”
—BookTrib Review
“In page after
page of Crossroads of Empire, I was thrilled with how the plot widened with
various actors added as history unfolded one step at a time. The book picked up
speed as it moved along with rising tension as disparate subplots charged forward
to the conclusion. I loved it! Bravo!”
—Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, bestselling author, teacher of
Buddhist Insight Meditation, and co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center
“Crossroads of
Empire dives into the tumultuous waters of World War I, presenting a
thrilling narrative enriched by a blend of historical and fictional characters.
Cooper’s writing is compelling and richly detailed, offering a tapestry of
scenes that bring early 20th-century conflicts vividly to life.”
—Literary Titan Review
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Michael J Cooper writes
historical mysteries set in the Holy Land at major turning points of history—all
the while subtly promoting the notions of coexistence and peace. His books have
won multiple awards and include; set in 1948 Jerusalem Foxes in the Vineyard (winner of the 2011 Indie Publishing Contest
Grand Prize); set at the twilight of the Crusades in 1290, The Rabbi’s Knight (finalist for the CIBA 2014 Chaucer Award for
historical fiction); set at the start of WWI in 1914, Wages of Empire (winner
of the 2025 Pacific Book Award for best historical fiction, winner 2025
International Impact Award for historical military fiction, the CIBA 2022 Grand
Prize for young adult fiction as well as the Hemingway first prize for wartime
historical fiction); A sequel of Wages of Empire, Crossroads of
Empire (winner of the 2025 International Impact Award for historical war
& military fiction as well as first place in the 2024 CIBA Hemingway for 20th
Century wartime historical fiction, placed as a finalist in the 2024 SF Writers
Conference and won first prize honors in the 2023 CIBA Hemingway wartime
historical fiction category).
A native of Berkeley,
California, Cooper absconded to Israel after high school and spent the next
eleven years studying and working there. He lived in Jerusalem during the last
year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan, studied at Hebrew University,
and graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School. He returned to the US to
specialize in pediatric cardiology, and after 40 years of practice, he
continues to return to the Middle East for biannual volunteer missions serving
Palestinian children who lack access to care. Otherwise, he lives in Northern
California with his wife and a spoiled-rotten cat. Three adult children
occasionally drop by.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧ 