As this book experience goes, seeing and holding this new issue, open to the “Operation Catapult’s” review on pages 46-47, was second only to holding a physical copy of my book for the first time.

When I first thought about writing a book about Winston Churchill, a brief mention in “Finest Hour: The Journal of Winston Churchill and His Times” was one of those “wouldn’t that be wild?” far-off dreams.... #booksky

When I recently recorded a trans-Atlantic Zoom conversation with Christopher Somerville – grandson of Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Somerville – Christopher displayed several fascinating items from his grandfather’s scrapbook. #booksky

I used to walk to a local park a few times a year & spend a couple of hours trying to write. While not especially productive, I loved this mental charging station & the literal field of gold.

It did not ruin my day to have an officer in the Royal Navy Reserve write some nice things about my book in “The Naval Review” The full review: www.naval-review.com/book-reviews...

Operation Catapult (the attack, not my book) was launched 86 years ago today. On July 3, 1940, Britain’s Royal Navy killed more than 1,200 French seamen in a brutal attack that briefly shocked the world. It was a fascinating story to research and write. #booksky

I love signing copies of “Operation Catapult” in bookstores. Heck, I will sign copies of my book in pool halls, laundromats, pawn shops, your local Waffle House (especially your local Waffle House).… But the place I love the most is the Hammes Bookstore at the University of Notre Dame. #booksky

My daughter-in-law saw this “Current Store Bestsellers” poster in her local bookstore. (This is 1 small store & definitely an aberration, but I'll take it) The books to the immediate left & right of "Operation Catapult" in this display have, respectively, 247,981 & 111,456 Amazon reviews. #booksky

Although this is quite far from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s most egregious offense, he once had “shelves lined with fake books carved from wood.” (from “Entitled” by Andrew Lownie).

I was surprised, honored, and humbled to see a review for “Operation Catapult” by the Australian Naval Institute. #booksky #WWII #History #WinstonChurchill

coffee break / book break nags head, nc

Thanks to my good friend Gerry Hayden, I had an absolute blast talking about “Operation Catapult” last week with the Notre Dame Club of Nashville, as well as a spirited group of Angel Eye Health team members and at least two of Gerry’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu sparring partners. It was a great evening!

As of 30th April 2026 / 30 avril 2026, "Operation Catapult," the story of Winston Churchill and the Royal Navy's astonishing attack on the French Navy at Mers-el-Kébir in July 1940 is now available in Britain and France. #booksky

The only thing better than a trip to Aaron’s to sign copies of my book is another trip to Aaron’s to sign more copies of my book. Thank you for buying copies of my book! (Aaron's Books, Lititz, PA) #booksky

Psyched to begin the week w/ "Operation Catapult" - the story of Winston Churchill & the Royal Navy's attack on the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kébir - as the #1 new release in French History on Amazon. I am also very grateful to everyone who has encouraged & supported this adventure. #booksky

My nephew, Billy Oppenheimer, the research assistant to Ryan Holiday & Rick Rubin, was kind enough to include this story in his phenomenally popular "Six at 6 on Sunday" newsletter. #booksky

Enjoyed a perfect pre-launch celebration with my wife, our son, daughter, their spouses, and & 4 grandchildren (all under the age of 4). Our daughter Brittany made a big batch of Operation Catapult cookies! I would not have dared wish for a nicer, more meaningful, or joyous celebration. #booksky

I know that I’ve written a book. Man, do I know that I’ve written a book. And yet this whole experience felt exponentially more real last week when a small shipment of actual books turned up on our front step. #booksky

When I saw the trailer for a new movie about Charles de Gaulle, I was totally unprepared, the cinematic depiction of the opening seconds of the British attack on French ships at Mers-el-Kébir - which eerily ties with illustration on the cover of my book. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Zy... #booksky

I know they mean well, but Wordle can be so cold.

I’ve been researching independent bookstores, and – no surprise – have learned that some of their best stories sit outside the covers of the books they carry. When I landed on the “About” page on the website of Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope, PA, I learned this charming bit of history. #booksky

I’m 5 feet, 11 inches tall. But for several days after reading Andrew Roberts’ extraordinarily kind words for "Operation Catapult," I stood at least 6 feet 5 … and that’s not counting the 2 feet I was levitating above the ground.

Much of the action described in my book "Operation Catapult" took place in this crescent-shaped harbor at Mers-el-Kébir in Algeria. #booksky

All of a sudden, here we are. "Operation Catapult" will be published on March 17, a palindromic 71 days from today. Not so far away.

I always believed that the raw facts I had to work with provided an opportunity to shape "Operation Catapult" (out on March 17, 2026) as a modest thriller, and so I especially appreciate Christopher Somerville's comment about “mounting apprehension and understanding.” #booksky

Arthur J. Marder was a U.S. historian who focused on British naval history in the first half of the 20th century. His books are extensively footnoted, and many reference “a personal letter to the author” from British and French naval officers. I HAD to read those these letters.... #booksky

There are roughly 291 ways to screw up the writing of a nonfiction book. Near the top of my list of concerns was that my book might not pass muster in naval circles. That sound you might have heard several weeks ago was a sigh of relief when an acclaimed naval historian wrote this. #booksky

A small sample of the Winston Churchill-related books I read during the research phase for my book. #booksky #churchill

Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit is a master-class in storytelling.

I graduated from Notre Dame 4 years before Robert Schmuhl joined the faculty. Although our paths never crossed on campus, this English-major-wannabe turned software-salesman turned narrative-nonfiction-author feels like a champion today after Professor Schmuhl’s kind assessment of my book. #booksky