A Wonderfully Brilliant and Fascinating Human – Brian J. Morra
When I meet super-cool and interesting people, and there are many, it is my nature to want to write about them. Sometimes there is an abundance of awesomeness that just simply requires a follow up story. Such is the case of Brian J. Morra, a truly fascinating and brilliant human and someone I am acquainted with personally.
Brian has a very impressive and extensive background which makes him a well-respected expert in military history. He is a retired senior aerospace executive, a highly decorated former United States Air Force Intelligence officer and a best-selling historical fiction author who sounds like he could be a character in one of his books. He’s also a seasoned musician.
Brian took time out of his insanely busy schedule to let me pick his brain about his new, recently released book, the second in a series “The Righteous Arrows”. Lots has happened since I did a story about him back when he published his first novel.
The part time Sarasota resident is featured in the Netflix comprehensive docuseries “Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War”. The nine-episode series chronicles the history of the Cold War and its aftermath from the development of the atomic bomb to the rise of Vladimir Putin. For history buffs, it’s a must see. The subject matter, albeit disturbing, couldn’t be more relevant given the current state of the world.
Brian is in Episode 5 titled “War Games”, where he shares some of his personal experience as an Intelligence Officer during the cold war. His featured commentary of firsthand accounts, which include prominent figures during the cold war, is riveting. He is also featured in a newly released four part CNN/BBC series “Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game”.
Suffice it to say, Brian’s real-life experience as an intel officer has supplied him with ample ammunition for writing gripping military thrillers. Brian weaves his own experience into his fictionalized characters mixing factual events throughout his works. A chilling fact is that the public was unaware of just how dangerously close we came to a nuclear war in the 1980’s. His first novel, “The Able Archers” is centered around the crash of the Korean Airline passenger plane that was shot down by the Russians in the 1980’s and is told through the main character’s perspective. In fact, details surrounding the tragedy were sealed until very recently. Brian had to get special government clearance in order to write about the event.
“The Righteous Arrows” follows the same format focusing on the main characters as told from each of their perspectives. The novel takes us through the Soviet-Afghan war also using factual events of the CIA’s part in the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The spy thriller has already received accolades and is the winner of the 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Award for Military Fiction.
Because the subject matter of Brian’s nail-biting thrillers are timely to say the least, it is no surprise he is a much in demand guest among the talk show and podcast circuit. I am thrilled that “The Able Archers” has been “optioned” as they say in the business and is on a trajectory for development into a movie or series sometime in the future. Brian, I am admittedly unashamed to offer to be an extra or play music in the project. At least there would be no need for security clearance! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
The Able Archers and The Righteous Arrows are available wherever books are sold.
Connect with Brian HERE
Sheri Nadelman is an accomplished musician, nature photographer, and a frequent contributor to the Suncoast Post.
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