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Dawn Pandoliano, Sentinel Design Editor

Thor

Internationally best-selling author Brad Thor is set to visit the Clear Creek PX on Fort Hood from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 4 for a book-signing, promoting the launch of his most recent thriller, “Black List.”

This will be Thor’s first time at Fort Hood, and he said he is excited in anticipation of his visit.

“Just being able to come to Fort Hood is really an honor for me,” he said. “Any opportunity I have to say thank you to our men and women in uniform isn’t something I want to miss.”

Being from Chicago, Thor said there aren’t a lot of Soldiers around, but he does see a lot of naval personnel from the Great Lakes Naval Station. Thor said he has been to many Exchanges throughout the years, and they are always great experiences, because not only can he thank service members, but also their Families.

“The Families serve, too. That isn’t anything to overlook. And when I have book-signings at the Exchanges, I have that chance to thank the Families, as well,” Thor Said, adding that his father is a former Marine, so he is familiar with growing up in a military Family.

Thor refers to the type of writing he does as “faction,” saying this is the genre where “you don’t know where the facts stop and the fiction begins.”

He has written 12 best-selling thriller novels that have gained a lot of attention and awards throughout the years. His writing style has gained him the title of “master of thrillers,” because of his ability to stay one step ahead of national debate.

“A thriller writer’s job is to stay ahead of the headlines, to find the next interesting thing that everyone will be talking about or discovering,” Thor said. His latest thriller, “Black List,” blurs the lines of reality and fiction once again, this time on the topic of total surveillance.

“I see the subject of total surveillance in our country being the next big thing on everyone’s conversation list,” Thor said. “Our private lives are becoming less and less private.

“One of my favorite quotes was in my head the whole time I was writing this book. It’s by Ben Franklin and goes, ‘Those who would trade a little liberty for a little security will lose them both,’” Thor said, “I believe this is what’s happening to our country.”

In writing, Thor said his goal is to make the most of his readers’ time.

“You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. At the end of my books, I want my readers to have learned something,” Thor said.

He added that although his books are adventure-type thrillers, they are all based on facts. Each of his books are written through research of their topics. For example, in 2008, Thor shadowed a Black Ops team in Afghanistan for research on his best-selling thriller “The Apostle.”

Thor made it clear that writing is his dream, and said he is very serious about the delivery of his writing to his readers. He said he wants them to be aware of the goals in his writing.

He also said his goals would not be possible without U.S. service

members.

“I’m looking forward to my Fort Hood visit. I am able to write and be an author because of the freedoms that I’m provided by our service members,” Thor said. “I am eternally grateful for that and can’t wait to say thank you.”