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Crossroads of Empire
Winner of the CIBA 2023 First Place for Hemingway Prize-Wartime Fiction
The story of Evan Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is. Likewise, Evan doesn't recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem's Temple Mount that Kaiser Wilhelm II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and the Suez Canal. The Middle East Front soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan's story is interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann. During his quest to recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.
The story of Evan Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is. Likewise, Evan doesn't recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem's Temple Mount that Kaiser Wilhelm II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and the Suez Canal. The Middle East Front soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan's story is interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann. During his quest to recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 14, 2024
"Crossroads of Empire" is a compelling historical journey set against the turbulent backdrop of World War I. Following young Evan Sinclair's struggles and bravery, the novel expertly weaves personal drama with the broader geopolitical tensions of the era, drawing readers into the conflicts and alliances shaping the early 20th century. Michael J. Cooper’s attention to historical detail breathes life into a vivid array of settings, from Europe to the Middle East, as Evan navigates loyalty, family duty, and the harrowing realities of war. The story skillfully integrates historical figures and events, making it both educational and deeply immersive. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate this well-researched and beautifully written tale that resonates with timeless themes of courage, identity, and resilience.
February 7, 2025
Mystery, romance, adventure and tension are the building blocks of this great story. You are rooting for Evan to overcome his amnesia and regain his place in the world. You are struggling along with his dad to find his son while fulfilling his duties in the War Office. You meet the woman leader of the American Colony in Jerusalem and see the world war as it plays out in the middle east. A cast of characters acts and interacts to survive and build for a future in the middle east when the war is over. Lawrence of Arabia enters the story and his fit for the future of the region. I did receive a free copy of this book from The Niche Reader and will definitely look for more works from this author!
February 10, 2025
Well-researched, vivid and entertaining historical novel. Sweeping and complex but with the emphasis on human experience. I love this author’s writing and vision.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
August 19, 2026
Crossroads of Empire is the kind of historical novel that combines the scale of a world-changing conflict with the deeply personal story of one man trying to understand who he is. As the continuation of Wages of Empire, the novel places Evan Sinclair at the intersection of war, memory, family, politics, and a hidden bloodline whose significance reaches back to the Crusades.
Evan’s situation immediately creates a compelling emotional engine. After surviving German artillery, poison gas, friendly fire, and the sinking of a hospital ship by a German U-boat, he awakens with amnesia. His struggle is therefore not simply to survive the Great War—it is to reconstruct his own identity while history itself is being violently rewritten around him.
The novel becomes even more ambitious by shifting the historical lens toward Ottoman Palestine and the Middle East Front. Battles at Suez and Gallipoli unfold alongside the lives of figures such as Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann. This gives the story an unusually broad historical canvas while keeping Evan’s personal journey at its center.
What makes the premise particularly strong is the connection between the personal and the geopolitical. Evan’s hidden ancestry is not merely a family mystery; his lineage may determine his role in the war and connect his destiny to centuries of history. Love for his father, grief over his mother, and the secrets surrounding his bloodline add emotional stakes to the military narrative.
The book also arrives with substantial external validation. Crossroads of Empire won the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime Historical Fiction and was a finalist in the 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. Goodreads currently shows a 4.20 average from 20 ratings and 11 reviews.
At 441 pages, this is an expansive historical adventure for readers drawn to wartime fiction, political intrigue, family secrets, historical figures, and sweeping narratives.
The strongest marketing hook is the intersection of war and identity: a soldier who has forgotten himself must recover his past while discovering that his ancestry may be inseparable from the future of the world around him.
Evan’s situation immediately creates a compelling emotional engine. After surviving German artillery, poison gas, friendly fire, and the sinking of a hospital ship by a German U-boat, he awakens with amnesia. His struggle is therefore not simply to survive the Great War—it is to reconstruct his own identity while history itself is being violently rewritten around him.
The novel becomes even more ambitious by shifting the historical lens toward Ottoman Palestine and the Middle East Front. Battles at Suez and Gallipoli unfold alongside the lives of figures such as Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann. This gives the story an unusually broad historical canvas while keeping Evan’s personal journey at its center.
What makes the premise particularly strong is the connection between the personal and the geopolitical. Evan’s hidden ancestry is not merely a family mystery; his lineage may determine his role in the war and connect his destiny to centuries of history. Love for his father, grief over his mother, and the secrets surrounding his bloodline add emotional stakes to the military narrative.
The book also arrives with substantial external validation. Crossroads of Empire won the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime Historical Fiction and was a finalist in the 2024 San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. Goodreads currently shows a 4.20 average from 20 ratings and 11 reviews.
At 441 pages, this is an expansive historical adventure for readers drawn to wartime fiction, political intrigue, family secrets, historical figures, and sweeping narratives.
The strongest marketing hook is the intersection of war and identity: a soldier who has forgotten himself must recover his past while discovering that his ancestry may be inseparable from the future of the world around him.
September 17, 2024
Crossroads of Empire dives into the tumultuous waters of World War I, presenting a thrilling narrative enriched by a blend of historical and fictional characters. The story follows Evan Sinclair, a young man thrust into the global conflict, whose journey from France to the strategic depths of the Middle East unveils a panorama of espionage, imperial ambitions, and the cultural crossroads that define the era. With the Middle East as a pivotal battleground for control over key resources like the Suez Canal and oil reserves, Cooper intricately maps the convergence of history and personal saga, underlining the lasting impact of wartime decisions on today’s geopolitical landscape.
Michael J. Cooper’s writing is compelling and richly detailed, offering a tapestry of scenes that bring early 20th-century conflicts vividly to life. His ability to intertwine factual historical events with the personal fates of both real and imagined characters allows the narrative to flow seamlessly between action and introspection. The portrayal of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s complex personality and his obsessions with Jerusalem provides a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a ruler whose decisions shaped the course of history. The inclusion of characters like Aaron Aaronsohn and T.E. Lawrence adds layers of authenticity and intrigue, enhancing the novel’s exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war.
While the intricate descriptions of settings and historical context are generally a boon for the narrative’s richness, I think they can sometimes bog down the pacing, especially during crucial transitions between significant plot points. Nonetheless, Cooper’s fantastic character development ensures that readers remain engaged, rooting for individuals caught in the machinations of empires.
Crossroads of Empire is a blend of historical fiction and detailed storytelling that offers readers a window into a pivotal time in world history. Michael J. Cooper’s work is highly recommended for its educational value and its ability to entertain, making it a suitable read for both history buffs and fans of intricately plotted narratives.
Michael J. Cooper’s writing is compelling and richly detailed, offering a tapestry of scenes that bring early 20th-century conflicts vividly to life. His ability to intertwine factual historical events with the personal fates of both real and imagined characters allows the narrative to flow seamlessly between action and introspection. The portrayal of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s complex personality and his obsessions with Jerusalem provides a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a ruler whose decisions shaped the course of history. The inclusion of characters like Aaron Aaronsohn and T.E. Lawrence adds layers of authenticity and intrigue, enhancing the novel’s exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war.
While the intricate descriptions of settings and historical context are generally a boon for the narrative’s richness, I think they can sometimes bog down the pacing, especially during crucial transitions between significant plot points. Nonetheless, Cooper’s fantastic character development ensures that readers remain engaged, rooting for individuals caught in the machinations of empires.
Crossroads of Empire is a blend of historical fiction and detailed storytelling that offers readers a window into a pivotal time in world history. Michael J. Cooper’s work is highly recommended for its educational value and its ability to entertain, making it a suitable read for both history buffs and fans of intricately plotted narratives.
November 26, 2024
I love historical fiction, and this is one of the best books I've read in that vein. I didn't know much about the struggle over the fate of Palestine during the First World War, but Cooper brilliantly nails it. He interweaves several storylines over several continents to paint a world that is distant from our own, and at the same time recognizable. One hundred plus years later the issues feel very relevant, and the characters are true and engaging. There are historical Easter eggs to be found everywhere: T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, and Kaiser Wilhelm all make appearances, along with characters Cooper has rendered with love and smarts. Definitely epic in its scope, but also real and grounded in its characters. Very entertaining. Highly recommend.
February 16, 2026
Crossroads of Empire* is a gripping historical novel that blends sweeping World War I drama with intimate character depth, immersing readers in both battlefield intensity and personal discovery. Michael J. Cooper skillfully weaves real historical figures and events into Evan Sinclair’s journey, creating a story that feels authentic, cinematic, and emotionally resonant. Richly detailed and thought-provoking, it’s a compelling read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction filled with intrigue, heart, and high stakes.
June 13, 2025
Just finished this second book in the series on the day Israel struck Iran's nuclear sites and it looks like war.
The book was a little slower in places. And I have reordered Oren Kessler's "1936" from the LIbrary to try and understand how the meeting between Weizmann and Faisal, in the book, became the mess in the Middle East we are seeing today.
I really like the fiction and non-fiction together and am trying to parse what is fact and what is fiction.
The book was a little slower in places. And I have reordered Oren Kessler's "1936" from the LIbrary to try and understand how the meeting between Weizmann and Faisal, in the book, became the mess in the Middle East we are seeing today.
I really like the fiction and non-fiction together and am trying to parse what is fact and what is fiction.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews