James Alexander Thom, bestselling author of two magnificent historical novels, says about his modern novel, Staying Out of Hell:

"Like my character, Scotty Montgomery, I grew up in the idyllic prewar Midwest, was a Marine, and later a journalist appalled by the apparent cheapness of life and the world's casual disregard for human suffering. Like my protagonist, I am unable to reconcile my country's two roles: the citadel of humane idealism, and the leading world merchant of death-dealing weapons. I hope by this novel to awaken our benumbed souls to the awful absurdities with which we live."