Blog for Gary Kidney’s The Eagle Scout Picture
Interviewed for Streaming TV
Logan Crawford interviewed me about The Eagle Scout Picture for the Spotlight Network
The interview was fun. He had great questions to ask which illuminated aspects of the book. The interview is availabe here through Youtube.com.
Posted March 25, 2025
One Against War, the story of Jeannette Rankin
As Gary Kidney, Author, I have a passion for World War II stories. Especially ones that few people knew.
I grew up studying American History from the atate-approved textbooks, like most U.S. citizens. But outside of class, the buzz of conspiracy theories told me there was more to the start of the war than school was willing to admit.
Watching the film Pearl Harbor (2001) made me wonder how to separate history from myth. Boys playing baseball at 7:55 AM on a Sunday morning? Highly unlikely. A Japanese-American getting a trans-Pacific phone call asking about the weaher? If that was possible, why did the U.S. have to send telegraph cables instead of picking up the phone? I knew about two pilots who managed to engage the fight that day-heroes Ken Taylor and George Welch, but they didn’t go on to fly in the Doolittle Raid.
So, I dove into a study of how the U.S. reacted to Pearl Harbor. I found a little known story of Jeannette Rankin, who was the only dissenting vote on the declaration of war against Japan, and decided to tell it.
You can read my non-fiction article about what I learned.
Posted March 1, 2025
Visiting a Book Club
I had a wonderful time
Yesterday, I enjoyed the company at a local ladies’ book club. The conversation and questions were fantastic. They liked my book and those boosts to an author’s ego are always welcome. They help keep us writing.
In our discussion, I announced that a sequel to The Eagle Scout Picture, set in 1946 as the Cold War begins, is on the way.
I’m happy to join other book club meetings when I can. Send me an invite by email or use the form on the contact page.
Posted January 30, 2025
The Eagle Scout Picture is featured on Shepherd.com
Shepherd.com is an indie book platform built for readers by readers
The Web site’s tag-line is “books are magic,” and its purpose is to “explore the books that other readers love.” I’m excited to be part of it. Help The Eagle Scout Picture be one of the best books of 2025 buy casting your vote at shepherd.com.
My page is here. On it, you’ll find my recommendations for five fiction books that inspired my novel and helped me develop an understanding of the historical period. I call these books a “completely different perspective on World War II.” If you are looking for some unusual reading, I highly recommend them.
Posted January 20, 2025
Second Book Trailer for The Eagle Scout Picture
Book Trailer for The Eagle Scout Picture, a World War II historical thriller
The trailer focuses on the mysteries, suspense, and drama confronting the young, small-town Eagle Scout as he enters Germanny to become a spy. The Eagle Scout Picture revolves around his ability to navigate through these without compromising himself or his mission.
Posted December 26, 2024
Inspiration and More
Jud Suss, the movie that fueled the holocaust
As Gary Kidney, Author, my journey began with a passion for storytelling, leading to the creation of The Eagle Scout Picture.
Writing The Eagle Scout Picture was a daunting task. I’m not talking about setting down the words or researching a ton of history. I’m referring to the deep psychological state of having to inhabit the character of an American who must be Nazi. Some scenes haunted my sleep. I’m told I woke up from nightmares shouting in German, a language I do not know.
I was troubled by understanding how a typical German could fall for the Nazi propaganda. On a trip to Germany in 2011, I finally understood.
I had the opportunity to tour the “Topography of Terror” museum at a very famous Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse address – the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS. As I followed along the panels documenting the history of persecution against the Jews, I found a panel that mentioned Goebbel’s propaganda films and their role in catalyzing the holocaust. The section on Jud Suss and Veit Harlan mentioned that he was the only filmmaker charged with crimes against humanity following the war. I was familiar with Leni Riefenstahl and her films Olympia and Triumph of the Will. Both had been shown in my college history classes as examples of Nazi propaganda, but there was no tie to the Holocaust. I thought I knew quite a bit about pre-war Germany, but, obviously, not enough. I had never heard of Jud Suss or Veit Harlan. I felt compelled to watch and learn. Only then did I fully understand how the Holocaust could have happened,
You can read my non-fiction article about what I learned.
Posted December 22, 2024
Night with A Novelist
Book Release for The Eagle Scout Picture, a riveting WWII spy novel
A large crowd greeted the release of the ebook version of The Eagle Scout Picture and took home some print books. The first print run sold out that night. Gary spoke about the inspiration for the gripping WWII drama and the process of writing the fictional tale of Nazi Germany. Before reading a suspenseful section from the opening chapter, he recognized nine early readers and shared the contribution each made in the development of the drama. He autographed purchases while period music from the book played through the social hall.
Thanks to Country Place, the Women’s Discussion Group, Travel Club, and Players for sponsoring the event. What a way to kick off the life of a novel!
Posted Decermber 12, 2024
Book Trailer for The Eagle Scout Picture
Book Trailer for The Eagle Scout Picture
This trailer focuses on the plot of the historical drama and thriller, The Eagle Scout Picture. The video introduces the WWII drama from the point of view of a young small-town Eagle Scout forced to become an unlikely hero risking everything behind enemy lines.
Posted December 10, 2024
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Unboxing The Eagle Scout Picture
Unboxing and cover reveal for the WWII spy thriller
This evening, friends gathered for the unboxing of my new novel, The Eagle Scout Picture. Seeing my debut novel finally in print was a special event. and being able to share it with friends made it perfect. Each guest had a role in getting the novel published, so I thanked them for being editors, early readers, and idea suggesters with champagne. Present were Bobbie Howell, Jeff Howell, Mary Helen Vera Lowry, Stan Sisson, Joyce Sisson, Val Melgares, Jose Melgares, Liz Tullis, John Tullis, and Linda Bell.
Posted December 5, 2024
