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Click to Check Out These Films and More from the American Revolution through WWII.
New Monthly Autographed Book Giveaway
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| Robert Child signing copies at Barnes & Noble |
I've launched a monthly drawing for an autographed copy of my book, The Lost Eleven. How do you enter? Simple, just Subscribe to my Pipeline Newsletter at the special link (landing page) and that's it. No purchase necessary.
Winners will be chosen at random on the last day of each month and the contest runs through June 2019. So spread the word far and wide.
All entrants get a second chance entry if they refer a friend who also enters the contest.
Drawing on firsthand interviews with family members and fellow soldiers, The Lost Eleven tells the complete story of these nearly forgotten soldiers, their valor in battle and their tragic end.
The Lost Eleven has received much acclaim. Like the kind words below:
“A sad, chilling work that displays a vigorous buildup and suspense.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“It is because of men like these…that I could be a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. My success was enabled by their sacrifices. This book is a must-read.”
— Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West, US Army (Ret.), former Congressman
“The story of the Eleven should be a reminder to all Americans that the values of duty, honor, and service are not reserved to any one race, class, or ethnicity.”
— Jim Gerlach, former Congressman
“Writes into history the forgotten African-American men who fought courageously in the Battle of the Bulge…A book that should be read by all because it speaks to the human spirit.”
— Kara Tucina Olidge, PhD, executive director, Amistad Research Center at Tulane University
Oneida Indian Woman to be Featured in Movie about the American Revolution
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - Sept. 17, 2018 -- George Washington's Army and Me, Elijah's Long Journey Home feature film has included the role of Oneida Indian Polly Cooper, a female Revolutionary War Patriot, to highlight her selfless service to soldier's at Valley Forge in 1777/1778.
Writer Michael Dooling shared: "A story about family, freedom, and home—about America's struggle for Independence—would be remiss without honoring Polly Cooper and the Oneida Nation. Cherished by her people for her service to the Continental Army in the face of adversity, Polly aided the American cause at Valley Forge by cooking, nursing, teaching nutrition, and providing corn to the starving—making the difference between life and death for many."
The film's genre is best described as "Tom Sawyer Meets The Patriot movie". George Washington's Army and Me, Elijah's Long Journey Home follows 10-year-old Elijah and his adventures as he follows his father, a farmer who joins the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment after the British invade their family farm.
1000's of mothers and children followed their soldier husbands and fathers during the Revolutionary War, marching up to 9-miles a day under terrible conditions. They provided much needed support to the Army performing various duties, most had no place else to go. Based on letters and diaries from the period, the film is an adventurous, at-times humorous, heartfelt story with a universally relatable message of family, freedom, and home.
Actress Phoenix Bess said: "I love the character of Polly Cooper! And, I love even more that she is a real person in history. Polly's steadfast courage and compassion are inspiring — leaving her village, traveling to Valley Forge, and navigating the perils of war are actions of a hero and a true leader. Her selfless devotion to assisting the American soldiers during the war and her impact on history are incredible. I am grateful and extremely excited to have this opportunity to bring her to life in this film. I hope that through my portrayal of Polly, her story will become more widely known and appreciated, and as a Native American, I feel deeply the importance and gravity of bringing this Oneida heroine's life to light. I am honored to have this role."
From the Screenwriter and Director - Robert Child
"Most Americans know that George Washington is considered the "Father of the Country" but very few know Polly Cooper, from the Oneida tribe and how she played a crucial role in our American Revolution. Through service and sacrifice to the American cause she can rightly be called, the Mother of the Country. I know the entire production team including myself is proud to highlight Polly's war-time service within the film and bring light to her accomplishments. Because of the Oneida's assistance and especially Polly's dedication the tribe have deservedly earned the moniker, "America's First Ally." Said Robert Child, Award Winning Director and Screenwriter.
An Independent Film Production with Fiscal Sponsorship, 1663 Media Arts, LLC has laid the groundwork and is well positioned to attract funding to meet their $700K budget. Filming is forecast to begin late spring of 2019 in Virginia with a goal to release the film October 19, 2019. Individual, Organization and Corporate supports are all welcome; film perks are offered and donations qualify for a US tax credit.
Producer, Andrea M. Clarke shared, "I am humbled and determined to do all we can to honor Polly Cooper within our film by shedding a much-earned light on her strength, compassion and unwavering service to the Continental Army Soldiers during the Revolutionary War."
The vision for the film is to reignite the interest of people young and old to learn more about the real life characters, unsung hero's, surrounding the founding of the United States of America. The story is steeped in family, freedom and home and how resilience and determination through the eyes and actions of a 10-year old boy, the human spirit can and will prevail. It's a story the whole family will enjoy!
Film Contact: Andrea M Clarke, Producer
Email: info@1663MediaArts.com
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Memories of Being in New York City on 9/11 2001
Two years ago on the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11 I posted my thoughts about being in New York City on that tragic day. Since this year's 9/11 anniversary falls on a Tuesday like it did in 2001 I thought it might be a good idea to repost those thoughts.It started out as a picture perfect, cloudless and warm Tuesday in the New York City seventeen years ago today before the events of that day would change the world forever.
It doesn't matter how much time passes for me the images of that day remain vivid. I suspect they will for the rest of my life. Below is the article I wrote on the 9/11 anniversary two years ago.
9/11 Fifteen Years Later
I almost did not write this post as I had second thoughts but I felt I wanted to share my memories fifteen years on. On 9/11/2001 I was right in the thick of it in a production studio in Manhattan. It was a beautiful cloudless Tuesday which on occasion I can recall as vividly as if it were yesterday.
As I mentioned I was at a TV studio preparing to do The People's Court television show before all hell broke loose. In the control room we watched the mayhem unfold. In fact I vividly recall watching Channel 4 News in a live report from the World Trade Center area when during the actual live report the second plane hit the second tower. The shocked reporter just took off running and so did the cameraman.
Cell phones did not work. Neither did landlines for that matter. The only way I got word to my wife about my situation was sending an email via AOL. Does anyone have AOL anymore? I had no idea if the email would reach her.
In the studio we simply did not know if we should stay or go. What was safer choice? After the plane hit the Pentagon the director turned to me and waved goodbye adding, "Good luck, get home safe." Home for me at the time was Bucks County, PA, 90 minutes to the south via Penn Station. So I headed in that direction. The studio was at 37th Street and 5th Ave. and I could look south and see the brown smoke rising above the towers. As I walked toward Penn Station I passed by several churches with hastily posted signs on which someone scrawled with a sharpie, "Come in and Pray." At one church I saw people actually kneeling on the sidewalk praying.
As I got to Penn Station it was bedlam but I saw a line of people going down an escalator onto a train. I joined them. I didn't care where the train was going - just out of Manhattan. As I got on and actually got a seat before the aisles filled up there came an announcement, "Attention all passengers by order of the NYPD, Penn Station is now closed. All must exit to street level and exit the building."
A collective groan was heard on the train as we all made our way out. My next thought was - water. There must be a boat I could get on. So I headed up 8th Ave. then onto 10th. Coming toward me down the avenue were thousands of people headed to Penn Station. As I made my way up 10th my next thought was cash. I was going to take as much cash out of an ATM as I could before they too were shut down. I dashed in a deli and took out as much as I could and then continued north.
Once I got to 12th Ave. I saw a line of about 500 people waiting to get on a Circle Line boat. I jumped right in behind them. We all boarded. The stuffed to the gills ship slowly pulled away from the dock. At that moment there was almost an audible sigh of relief. The boat was headed over to Weehawken, NJ and you could turn and look across the Hudson and see the Towers engulfed in brown smoke. You could also smell it. It smelled like an electrical fire. People on the boat were actually joking around trying to mask their fears. No one knew what the hell was going to happen next but at least we were off Manhattan.
When we docked at Weehawken I ran to a payphone to see if it had a dial tone. It did. I dialed my voicemail and heard a message from my now ex-wife that I will never forget. I will not detail it just to say it was filled with tears. I was able to call her back and told her I would try to grab a train from Hoboken.
I headed down there with thousands of others and the trains were going nowhere. At the station they had set up hundreds of gurneys with IV poles awaiting trains from the Trade Center. Trains that would never come. It was an image I'll never forget. But that was not the final enduring image I would remember from that day....the one that still gives me chills and I will never forget.
After leaving the train station I headed up to a Cuban bar / restaurant. I thought a beer was just what I needed at that point. There were actually only a few people in the place and at the bar. After a few moments a near hysterical woman who had to be 8 months pregnant ran in with someone who had to be her mother. Through her tears I overheard her say to her mother, "his last words were he'd meet us here." I turned to the bartender and he looked back at me, we were both speechless. The pregnant woman then headed into the Ladies room as the Mom stood by the bar.
As I turned to continue watching Peter Jennings anchor the coverage on the TV behind the bar a man bolted in who was covered with the dust. It was the same dust which had covered people who were seen on TV running from the towers. As the man came in the Mom started crying and they embraced. The bar fell silent. Then the pregnant woman emerged from the bathroom, saw her husband and ran towards him crying, overjoyed. No one in the place moved and many including myself teared up. It was scene I will remember till I die.
Several hours later the trains began to run and I was able to get one to Montclair where my wife met me. I don't remember what we said to each other we just held each other tight for a long moment before heading back to Pennsylvania.
Did the world change that day? Without a doubt. Did it change for the better? For a short while it did in the aftermath. We were united as one people and a nation that was wounded and hurting. Can we look back from today and say that we have grown or are safer as a nation? I am not certain we can. In many ways the world is much less certain and certainly much less innocent than before 9/11/2001.
But it remains up to us to make it the world in which we all want to live. And by live I mean live in peace. I am a spiritual person and I believe that the dark forces in this world have increased the level of terror and violence that they spread because they know their days are numbered.
More and more common everyday people especially those in the Middle East simply want to live their lives and raise their families in peace. The time is coming soon when killing in the name of God or Allah will not be tolerated, promoted or accepted by people of any faith on the planet. When that day comes...and I truly believe I will see it in my lifetime then finally there will be lasting peace on earth.
Tag :
9/11,
War on Terror
Christmas Release for forthcoming Crime Thriller, Felony Express
Felony Express the follow up to, Blood Betrayal, sees agent, Frank Murray, transferring from OC (Organized Crime) to the Philadelphia FBI Office, Drug Squad. Based on a true story and set in the early 1990s Frank transfers in at the height of the drug-related homicides in Philadelphia. The Junior Black Mafia (JBM) has cornered the cocaine trade in the City of Brotherly Love into the hundreds of millions of dollars. With that much money on the line, the matching violence has spun completely out of control.
One man, Rick Jones, leader of the JBM controls the vast majority of the cocaine trafficking from Miami and South America. Murray sets his sights on bringing the elusive drug kingpin down. Jones has evaded capture for more than two years with PHPD, DEA and even the IRS failing to get a conviction against him. Murray's new drug squad supervisor doubts Frank will fare any better so he offers Murray a deal than any sane FBI agent would refuse —but not Frank Murray.
At the same time, a west coast drug kingpin establishes a multi-city cocaine distribution network including Philly unbeknownst to PHPD, the DEA or the FBI. The kingpin's lucrative drug trade only comes to light when an overnight express parcel bound for Los Angeles rips open at Philadelphia International Airport spilling out over $285, 000 in cash —the kingpin's weekly haul.
The FBI and DEA get pushed to their operational limit and Frank Murray has to dig deeper than he ever has before to combat the overwhelming mayhem and violence. He puts himself so far out on a limb that there may be no coming back this time.
Blood Betrayal is the first book in the series. Purchase Direct from My Website
New Jake Hamilton Political / Military Thriller Series to Launch in 2019
If you love characters Mitch Rapp, Pike Logan or Jack Reacher you'll love Jake Hamilton in this new Modern Patriot Series.
I am excited to announce coming in 2019 I will be launching a new Political / Military Thriller Series, which has been in development and percolating for three years. This thriller series features a brand new main character, Jake Hamilton.
Meet Jake Hamilton
At 38, Jake Hamilton is a veteran, retired (SOO) Special Operations Officers in the elite Marine Recon Special Ops Raider Unit. Six foot three dark-haired and a six-time Iron Man qualifier he can still mop the floor with men ten years his junior. He enlisted in the Corps post 9/11 and was selected for Recon when they reorganized in 2006 forming three elite battalions. Jake is former 2nd Battalion and his unit based at Camp Lejeune adopted the Raider name in homage to their proud WWII heritage. Marine Raiders in WWII in the South Pacific were elite, light amphibious units that struck deep into enemy territory causing death, havoc and destruction in the enemy ranks. They were feared independent, patriotic and proud. Which are the same qualities Jake Hamilton possesses.
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| Rogue Soldier (Book One) |
Rogue Soldier introduces us to Jake Hamilton and the series. In this nail-biting first installment a Marine in Jake's former unit who served in Afghanistan has gone rogue.
The man a troubled (SOCS) Special Operations Capability Specialist expert in explosives is deep into shadow government conspiracy theories and researching black ops. The rogue soldier determines he has been fighting for the wrong side and decides to give the country a national wake up call using his expertise in military grade explosives and taking hostages at a national VA hospital.
Jake Hamilton, the man's former commander, is pressed back into service as a high-level negotiator. The situation spins completely out of control and before all is said and done Hamilton will question which side he should be fighting for.
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| Elevated Threat (Book Two) |
The President of the United States receives on average 30 threats on his life every single day via text, social media, phone and email. That amounts to over 10,000 death threats per year.
The vast majority are not credible. But even the small percentage that warrant serious investigation number in the hundreds.
President Sloan is no stranger to daily threats on his life. But when cryptic threats begin reaching him in highly secure areas in unexplained ways suspicions of a deep-state military coup move to the forefront.
Jake Hamilton is inserted to find and eliminate the threat as the messages morph into a race against time —simply listing the date, hour, minute and second of President Sloan's execution.
"Some Battles Don't Stay Buried"
The Marines are one of the proudest branches in the U.S. military. The Marine Raiders which originated in WWII in the South Pacific striking deep in enemy territory causing death, havoc and destruction in the enemy ranks are no exception.
Victory has a cost and sometimes that cost is paid with silence. One WWII Marine Raider veteran who has kept quiet for nearly 75 years decides not to take his secret to the grave.
Jake Hamilton is dispatched and reminded that he is duty bound to protect the honor and integrity of the Corp. What he discovers will shatter his world and make him question his life long patriotism.
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| Jake Hamilton Series, First Three Books |
I am very excited to launch this series which I intend to be multi-volumed and long running. Many know that I have a keen interest in the military and military history in particular. My ancestors served in both the Civil War (Gettysburg, Fredericksburg) and the American Revolution (Dorchester Heights, Lexington and Concord). Thomas Child in the Civil War and Jonas Child in the American Revolution respectively.
In addition I have written and directed several nationally telecast, award winning and Emmy® nominated films about various American wars. With this series I intend to expand on those films by tying that love of military history to edge of your seat political and military thrillers.
First and foremost I consider myself a patriotic American and this series which I am labeling a "Modern Patriot" series addresses how America exists today. In my lifetime I cannot recall another time so divisive. People on both sides are passionate about what they believe which is a very good thing. My caution is we need to look beyond that passion into agendas. Dig deep, do your own research and really determine why someone stands for what they say they stand for or if their true motives run counter to everything you believe. It is a noisy time to be alive that is for sure but what I believe will win the day and change the direction of the world is exactly what we see happening —giving power back to the people. A single person's vote has never been so powerful not just in America but around the world. Exercise that right and we can all change the world.
Revolutionary War Film Project and City Tavern Event November 15th
The story follows 10-year-old Elijah and his adventures as he follows his father, a farmer who joins the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment after the British invade their family farm. It is best described as "The Patriot meets Disney." The adventure begins when Elijah sneaks out of George Washington's encampment to find his father, a soldier who does not return from the Battle of Monmouth.
The project is in the fundraising stage now and I'd like to invite you to visit the crowd funding page and learn more about this wonderful historical film.
CHECK OUT THE FUNDING SITE.
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| John Koopman and Robert Child on set |
The film is being planned to shoot in Virginia at several historic locations outside Richmond and Williamsburg. I have begun the script which is being adapted from the book, George Washington's Army and Me: Elijah's Long Journey Home by Michael Dooling.
City Tavern Event in November 15, 2018
Chef Staib and 1663 Media Arts will host a "Meet the Filmmaker's" Evening at City Tavern in Philadelphia this November 15th from 6 - 9pm.
18th Century Period Clothing, Food and Drink will add ambiance to the evening along with the film's cast, crew and Historical Stories by Chef Staib and General George Washington himself! Limited opportunities are available to Sponsor of this Fine Event. Chef Staib has a role in the film as the Officer's Cook.
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| City Tavern, Philadelphia |
For a limited time, the story that inspired the film can be downloaded through the film website. http://GWArmyAndMe.com
http://CityTavern.com
http://ATasteOfHistory.org
http://MichaelDooling.com
Ghost Carrier Released Today on Audible.com
Link to Ghost Carrier on AUDIBLE.
The Story:
Frank Rusk hasn’t been sleeping well lately. He’s approaching his milestone 70th birthday. Each Night for the last two weeks indescribable scenes of horror have awakened him. He is on a ship in WWII, which is exploding. Men are burning alive all around him. He hears a man scream out, “a Japanese torpedo hit the bomb bay and that they are all going to die!”
During these nightmarish visions Frank realizes he is not a spectator watching these events but a sailor living them. How can that be? How is it possible that everywhere he turns he sees buddies that he knows taking their last breaths.
Frank fears that with his approaching 70th birthday these awful nightmares mean the onset of senility or Alzheimer’s or worse. At his birthday party his son jokingly brings out a cake with 70 candles. A near inferno but Frank is determined to blow all the candles out. Before he does, however, he makes a wish he has kept secret his entire life; an impossible never to be fulfilled wish that defies the laws of the Universe. His wish is to turn back time and grow up with his Dad in his life. His father died two months after Frank was born in 1943. Although Frank never met him he remains his hero. His Dad perished on the aircraft carrier USS Liscomb Bay that year in the most tragic sinking of a carrier in Pacific theater. Six hundred men drowned in less than 20 minutes when a Japanese torpedo hit the bomb bay.
Listen to an excerpt. Purchase on Audible.com or iTunes.
The Enduring Legacy of D-Day in Audiobook D-Day in 90 Minutes
There are few adjectives, which have not been applied to the combined amphibious and airborne assault operation that took place on June the 6th 1944. Two and a half years in the planning, Operation Overlord, the invasion of German occupied France would require every tool in the allied arsenal.
I invite you to take a moment to honor our armed services on this day which turned the tide of history and listen to D-Day in 90 Minutes.
In this concise history my coauthor author, William R. Bradle and I examine the invasion from multiple angles from what planning was required to what tough decisions had to be made. The audiobook contains first person accounts. Below is an excerpt.
Honoring the Sacrifice and Service on this Memorial Day
This reminded me of the WWI film I directed in Canada, Dominion Day. Dominion Day is Canada's independence day which falls on July 1st. The film I directed recounted the last 100 days of WWI where the Canadians spearheaded the allied victory. This led to the armistice on November 11, 1918. The victory came at great cost and the clip below is the opening part of the film. I decided that the best way to show the sacrifice was to show the men. France is dotted with WWI Commonwealth Grave Commission cemeteries which are immaculately cared for. They are located on land which slopes uphill because this is where the men fell. I encourage you to watch the clip below. It may be hard not to shed a tear.
Finally, a prayer excerpt on this day for the fallen from Rev. Dick Kozeika from Beliefnet.com
"God, lift the hearts of those for whom this holiday is not just diversion, but painful memory and continued deprivation. Bless those whose dear ones have died needlessly, wastefully [as it seems] in accident or misadventure. We remember with compassion those who have died serving their countries in the futility of combat. There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation, when all the answers we are offered fail the question death asks of each of us. We believe that you will provide for us as others have been provided with the fulfillment of "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
By Rev. Dick Kozelka, retired pastor of First Congregational Church of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Read more Here
