The Decoration/Memorial Day War
by
Book Details
About the Book
Most people believe the
The Line serves as the location of a fictional town that straddles it, and where the novel opens.
The people of Madixson are strongly divided over not only how to celebrate Memorial Day, but also whether to call the holiday by its original name of Decoration Day. They use the Line as the divide, with the town leaders living on the
So, it is not surprising that the South Siders blame the North Siders when the mayor of Madixson is killed on the morning of Memorial Day. Repeating his annual routine, he is standing in his front yard saluting the American Flag and beginning to recite the Pledge of Allegiance when the Civil War cannon nearby explodes. The shrapnel fatally imbeds in his body.
The North Siders deny they had anything to do with the incident, but the South Siders do not believe them. Neither side realizes this was a "prank" of a totally different kind that nothing to do with the "warring" factions. When the real culprits finally are discovered and brought to trial, the importance of the explosives used in the canon finally comes to light.
Adding to this mystery is the discovery that an important character is not what he is purported to be. And, the final chapter is unexpected, to say the least.
About the Author
Since this is a "war" story of a different kind, David H. Brown called on his experience as an Infantry rifleman during Word War II and his later 28 years of service in the Army Reserve, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel with a mobilization assignment in the Office of the Chief of Information in the Pentagon. Hence, the use of his final military rank.
In addition, the novel is based on a true story he wrote while an
Brown was a reporter for three
The first is titled "I Would Rather Be Audited By the IRS Than Give a Speech." Published in 1995, this is based on his long experience as a public speaker and his years as an adjunct professor of speech at a community college. His next two efforts were based on his experience as the press officer for the Federal Aviation Administration's anti-skyjacking task force that developed the original airport security system during 1969-70. They are titled "NINE/ELEVEN," and "Airline Passenger Screening Has Become a FEMA-type SNAFU." His latest published novel, also based on personal experience in the government, is titled, "Operation Red Herring." One reviewer said it would make a "good movie." His novels usually have O. Henry-type endings.
Brown developed and conducted courses on media relations for several organizations. He also has coached executives on how to be more effective presenters. He was the founder and first president of the National Association of Government Communicators.
The native of
He and his wife divide their retirement time between