George Banas's first novel, Terrorists and the Terchova Treasure: In My Brother's Place, is an ambitious foray into the shadowy worlds of drug and weapons cartels, human trafficking, and governmental duplicity as seen through the eyes of Joe Legion, a Special Forces veteran, disaster relief responder, patriot, and devoted family man. Over the course of his 60-odd years, Legion's exploits in defense of the United States and its citizens have made him the stuff of legend. Banas has created a rich and complex tapestry of geopolitical maneuvering, ethnic animosities, and the global reach of terrorist networks. We follow Legion in a wild ride across Eastern Europe, India, South America, North Africa, and into the American heartland where he repeatedly confronts government operatives and corrupt officials, both foreign and domestic, working to advance the violent agendas of the cartels.

Against the backdrop of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Banas shines a spotlight on the growing complacency of Americans as they lose sight of the principles of honesty, courage, hard work, and selflessness that made our country a beacon of hope across the planet. Unlike the modern "heroes" of sports and media celebrities adored by a distracted society for their wealth and questionable notoriety, Joe Legion embodies the qualities of a true American hero as he puts his life on the line in defense of country and family. At a time in our history when an insidious and pervasive malaise seems to permeate our national discourse, and the polarization of our politics has resulted in an "us against them" approach to solving the daunting problems we face as a country, Banas reminds us that there are still those among us who put country before self, who seek always to do the right thing even though it may require the ultimate sacrifice. Judging by the enthusiastic response to this first novel, readers have much to look forward to from George Banas.

Occasionally there are fantastic books which work their way up the ranks with determination, character, and a small publisher. Terrorists and the Terchova Treasure - In My Brother"s Place by George Banas is the type of book which interweaves language, plot, history, and skill into a wholly satisfying read. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, international crisis responder and military operative Joe Legion is charged with infiltrating terrorist cells while keeping his family and friends safe from unknown enemies. Utilizing his professional contacts, Joe disrupts attacks and plans orchestrated by extremist groups, which reveals not only the depth of each terror plot, but how the rules of espionage have thrown old alliances into turmoil.

Joe Legion is the type of character we'd all like to be if we were navigating narrow escapes, car chases, and gunfire. The action and content in the book take the driver's seat to exotic locations. Joe Legion isn't traveling to take in the sights and buy postcards. Everyone he meets poses a danger or the potential for disaster. But, his determination is like iron, and he's a marvelous character to follow.

Equal parts spy thriller, action exploit, and treasure hunt, In My Brother's Place kicks off the first of hopefully more books by Banas. It's the perfect material for fans of blockbuster and international spy movies, and if this appeals to your reading habit, you'll greatly enjoy this novel. This is the type of read which artfully combines genres and garners a wide appreciation from readers of all types, including those who search for the underlying causes and consequences of politics and world events.

This is a story with many threads that are skillfully intertwined into an intricate, fascinating fabric.