Gordon Basichis

MIDDLEBROWS AT THE SWITCHES, AND OTHER TRAGEDIES OF THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY.

Thanks to a variety of factors, media consolidation notwithstanding, it is increasingly difficult to publish books other than genre, generic or those that are written to fortify the pre-conceived socio-political notions of those in publishing and their more middle class friends. Such a system has created a near religious belief in movie-like heroics where even the most complex situations are resolved within 120 minutes or three hundred pages, whichever comes first.

Of course we know it's all pretty inane and stupid; our guilty pleasures popping up to embarrass us like erstwhile relations at a funeral for a hated uncle. But slowly and surely, we have grown comfortable with the inanity of the idiot fable and have found collective sanctuary in our guilty pleasures. We have come to believe that fantasy is reality and reality is fantasy. We have no patience. We yearn for the unattainable. Instead of grit and candor that promotes understanding, we are subjected to various dialects of jargonese. And then, worst of sins, we have lost the sense of irony that would otherwise enable us to at least laugh at the predicament we have created.

I offer no solutions really. Somewhat, in the tradition of the late great George Plimpton, I immerse myself in real events. Unlike the notable writer I often use fiction to try to tell what it feels like to undergo bizarre, romantic and even dangerous experiences. I attempt to evoke the sights and sounds, the soul of what it is to venture in strange worlds. I write of worlds fraught with danger, romance, triumph and consequence, and I perceive them with humor. Rather than inflate myself with the self-importance that seems so prevalent these days, even the more serious subjects do not escape my lighter senses.

I hope you enjoy what I write, because I write it for you--the reader. And the non-reader, the man or woman who would gladly read, if they could only find something more relevant, more personal.

I hope my stories are a brief respite from our fantasy of everyday life.

I have wanted to be a writer since I could first remember. Knowing nothing about the "industry," I sold my first book when I was twenty-four years old, and then published another at twenty-seven. But then life intervened in what was otherwise an erratic and circular career and took me on journeys that I couldn't have imagined as a former street kid in possession of not much more than a Smith Corona and an attitude.

There was my friendship with Vicki Morgan, long time mistress to Alfred Bloomingdale, scion of American politics and industry and member of Ronald Reagan's "kitchen cabinet." That led to priceless insights into both the deepest nature of greed, sex scandal and romance. Not to mention government corruption, and finally, murder. The orginal sex scandal led to my own scandal and the ensuing embarrassment and personal humiliation, Finally came the defrocking of my youthful sense of immortality. It also taught me about the double edged sword in possessing information. Particularly the right information on the wrong people.

It was a valuable lesson, or really, a series of valuable lessons that culminated in my book, "Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story," which is on Books on Tape and back in print through iUniverse.com. If Vicki were a male instead of female, she would have been categorized as a sexual adventurer instead of a Hollywood slut.

In my novel "Constant Travellers," a humorous new age Western that many consider ahead of its time, I maintain in this somewhat metaphysical book that there are no accidents. Events may seem random, but sooner or later one will see the connection. I saw the connection--my exposure to sexual and political scandal and murder, delivered me into the world of espionage.

I have no doubt it was the Vicki Morgan book that led me to a man I depict as Noah Brown, literally a rocket scientist, long time upper level intelligence operative, and adviser to eleven presidential administrations. Like most accidents that are fated to happen, Noah and I were destined for major adventure. In the mid and late eighties I served as his personal aide, while Noah Brown uncovered much of the Chinese Espionage Networks operating in California and throughout the United States. The confidential task force that Brown was part of was responsible for the discovery of Chinese espionage tactics and methodology, as well as its origins and operations. From this project, the public bcame aware of the threat from Chinese Spy Operations. Valuable information was provided to different intelligence commissions, and the news agencies had a field day.

As with the Vicki Morgan book, it was my turn again to participate in real events and see how they were translated to the media, who in turn interpreted these events in the way it best saw fit. Despite inaccurate assessments and misinterpretations, I dare guess this process of translating reality into palpable stories has been with us throughout the course of civilization. Some know it as history.

I just completed my novelized version about this experience. It is called The Guys Who Spied for China. The Guys Who Spied for China is different than most books, since it is neither sensational revelation, nor one more version of Buzzy and Chipper save the world from nuclear catastrophe. My intent in writing The Guys Who Spied for China is to allow the reader to experience what it feels like to take the E-Ticket ride through this particular shadow world. The Guys Who Spied for China is written with humor--a near sacrilege. But I contest that anything this insane, this chaotic, has to be viewed with a modicum of irony.

Rather than save the day, roll credits and ride off into the sunset, the protagonists in The Guys Who Spied for China are subjected to the usual bindings of restraint and discrimination--fear and greed. Rather than deal the operatives a decisive blow, the powers that be rule ultimately that engagement with China must be preserved on the if-come the benefits will ultimately outweigh the liabilities.

SPOOK is a timeless story about two people from very diverse backgrounds coming together for a common purpose. It is a story about a relationship, and how understanding can be honestly achieved regardless of initial disparity. It is also timeless, because the beat with China goes on. China steals American weaponry and technology. China spends four times last year's budget to upgrade its Armed Forces, and poses and even greater threat to American security. All while we dutifully continue to argue over our policy, or lack of policy.

Once again, I welcome you to my site. I tell you I write out of compulsion, and I write for the love of it. I hope you enjoy my work.