December Greetings!

Christmas is coming and many of us have friends and relatives who still READ!

I just KNOW we do ...

If any of them are looking for a great true story -- a story about Hollywood, Love, Adventure, and Going to War with the Marines -- then the perfect gift would be our critically-acclaimed and award-winning "FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back."

And for less than $15!    Here's a handy link ...

http://www.amazon.com/Fahim-Speaks-Warrior-Actors-Afghanistan-Hollywood/dp/0982167075

And here's another link to a story abuot the book project that just came out on my college system's e-newsletter ...

http://www.ccsnh.edu/news/ccsnh%20enewsletternov2012/odyssey.html

 

Feel free to share or forward ...

Happy Holidays

 

and as the "Chosin Few" veterans say ...

Semper fi  ... and Stay Warm!

MIM

SkyBall and Marine Corps Ball

Granite State Greetings:

The big March investment in the USMC Evening Dress Uniform is paying off ... I got to wear the uniform at the MWSA Conference Awards Banquet in Dayton in September ... at the annual SkyBall at Dallas-Forth Worth Airport in October ... and at the Marine Corps Ball in Laconia, N.H. on Nov. 10, where I'd been invited to be Guest of Honor - a true thrill!

Here's a link to my Nov. 10 remarks ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvd8EiJxwx0&feature=em-share_video_user

Don't forget to check out "Fahim Speaks" on Amazon.com!

Semper fi ... and Stay Warm!

FAHIM SPEAKS notes ... Monday, October 8

Happy Columbus Day!

I know it's not celebrated the same way it was back in the old days, when it was always on October 12.  But Columbus changed the world, and some good things DID come out of what became the United States of America.

October 12 is no longer Columbus Day (unless it falls on Monday.)  Kind of like Memorial Day used to be on May 30, but now the traditional May 30 Memorial Day is not the contenmporary Memorial Day - unless, of course, it falls on Monday.  This year it fell on a Wednesday, but that didn't prevent Fahim and I from celebrating it with a FAHIM SPEAKS book launch event in Laguna Niguel, Calif.  Of course, May 30 is also Fahim's birthday.  And, BTW, it's also MY birthday!  (Please make a note of it.)

Anyway, we're looking forward to seeing Ben Affleck's new movie "Argo" which comes on on Friday, October 12 (the REAL Columbus Day.)  It sounds like a good movie, and I'm old enough to remember well how the Canadians stepped up and helped us out in Teheran during the 1979-80 Iranian hostage crisis.  And, of course, Fahim has a small role in "Argo," playing (what else?) - a bad guy.  I think.  But I haven't seen the movie yet.

Anyway, speaking of the book, I'm scheduled to be on WTPL ("The Pulse of New Hampshire") around 2:30 p.m. today to talk about FAHIM SPEAKS, presumably.

http://www.wtplfm.com/

I'll be interviewed by Jack Heath, who has his own book project out there, about the witches of Salem ... www.salemwitchtrilogy.com

October should be a good month for a book about witches ...

And speaking of calendar dates, while we're at it ... Why not make Halloween the last Friday of October - every year?  This year it's a Tuesday.  Halloween just needs to be on a Friday, yes?  If they're going to make Columbus Day and Memorial Day be Mondays, than why not Friday for Halloween?

Have a great week!
MIM

Check out FAHIM SPEAKS book reviews  at

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982167075

 

FAHIM SPEAKS wins MWSA Gold Medal!

The Military Writers Society of America awarded the 2012 Gold Medal for Top Military Biography to "FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back" at the annual MWSA Conference Banquet in Dayton, Ohio, on Sept. 29!

Off to Dayton, Ohio tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 27) and the Military Writers Society of America annual get-together.   "FAHIM SPEAKS" is one of six nominees for top honors in the biography genre. The MWSA Banquet is Saturday evening at the Dayton Fairborn Holiday Inn.

Here’s a link to a nice story Plymouth State University did on our book's nomination!

http://www.plymouth.edu/news/book-co-authored-by-plymouth-state-grad-michael-moffett-considered-for-national-award/

Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning Presentation on Sept. 7

FAHIM UPDATE!

My Afghan brother Fahim Fazli will be speaking at the Veterans in Film & Television meeting on August 29 in L.A.  He'll be talking to former military people who now work in the entertainment industry in various areas as actors, directors, writers, technical advisors, etc. He'll briefly speak about his connection with the U.S. Marines and his own acting career - and our book ... "FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back."

I'll be doing a CAOCL lecture on the Marine Base in Quantico on Friday, Sept. 7. The focus will be on Afghanistan ... a bit about its culture, history, and contemporary significance as well as the life experiences of an Afghan-American, Fahim Fazli, the subject of our book "FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back." Subsequently there will be some emphasis on Fahim's role as a Hollywood actor turned linguist who enjoyed spectacular success as an interpreter with 3rd Bn 4th Marines in Helmand Province from 2009-2010. As a field historian with Marine Corps University, I had the chance to record some of the USMC history in Afghanistan, and will share a few perepctives on that as well.

Also, here's a You-Tube link to part of the Book Launching Event earlier this year in Laguna Niguel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_54MYmx-hc

Marketing never ceases!

You-Tube from May 30 Book Launching Event!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_54MYmx-hc

Weirs Times Columns!

Check out my bi-weekly "Sports-Thoughts" columns for the Weirs Times, archived at www.weirs.com. The August 9 edition covers my excellent adventure in Ireland!

MWSA Review of "FAHIM SPEAKS"

MWSA Review
Author Fahim Fazli blends his unique American experience with his native Afghan roots, resulting in a tasteful reader’s concoction. He made me feel good about American society, our devotion to Afghanistan, and for the Good Warrior that never gives up or goes bad. Fazli’s life-journey starts in Kabul and his family scatters under the oppression of the Soviets. FAHIM SPEAKS comes from a different perspective and there are so many twists … Young Fazli lives in a Pakistani-based refugee camp that is later depicted in the 2006 movie, Charlie Wilson’s War, about the American influenced, Afghan-Soviet conflict. Fahim Fazli is the cultural advisor on the movie set. Life’s peculiarities are addressed in the book and they make you think ... Ironically, Fazli always wanted to be the good guy in his highly successful movie career but was typically hired as the terrorist. I had seen him - but didn’t know - in several of my favorite films (The Unit, 24, Iron Man). Fahim Fazli is a man of honor and courage ... A Hollywood actor in his forties and comfortably settled with his wife and daughter, Fazli chooses to pay his country back. He volunteers to serve as an Interpreter with our Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This book educates and cultural histories are probed. In a graceful way, Fahim Fazli tackles delicate issues and his writing style gave me hope. His positive attitude and likeable behavior allowed me to better understand complex concerns. I am grateful for the encouragement. FAHIM SPEAKS gets my highest recommendation – it’s a must read. What a TRULY AMERICAN story of perseverance and service!
Reviewed by: Hodge Wood (2012)

MWSA Award Nomination Notification!

(from Joyce Faulkner, MWSA)

      Congratulations, Michael! Your book "Fahim Speaks" has been nominated for a Military Society of America award in the Biography genre. This nomination is in recognition of the reviewer's high opinion of your work. You will hear from the Lead Reviewer Jim Greenwald in the next few days with instructions on how to get your book to our judges.

      The winner will be announced at the MWSA Awards Ceremony at the Banquet in Dayton, OH on September 29, 2012. Here is the information about the Conference. http://www.mwsadispatches.com/node/883

The dress for the ceremony is usually semi-formal. However, folks come dressed in "character" (last year, Robert E. Lee was there) or in military uniform or in tuxedos or suits or sports jackets. It is an environment where you can be comfortable in whatever you choose.

Beginning now, I'll be tweeting this announcement and encouraging other members to retweet. We'll post it on the MWSA Website and on Monday morning, we'll release a national media release with a special focus on your area. If you have not provided that information to us, please go out to www.militarywriters.com and update your profile to include your city and state.
      Later today, Sandy Lawrence of Perceptive Marketing will send you a promotional tip sheet, which should help you make the most of this nomination to bring attention to your book.

     On behalf of the MWSA leadership, congratulations -- and good luck!

"Fahim Speaks"

"FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back"

(with the Marines!)

Check out the reviews for our book on Amazon.com!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982167075

Check out our web site!

www.fahimspeaks.com

And check out this ABC-TV World News Tonight feature on Fahim ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz3EefX2om4