Animus

by Philip Keith

An Al Qaeda cell emerges from an abandoned military base in Montauk, New York, ready for another violent act of sabotage, this time aimed at the fabulously wealthy Hamptons. The terrorists have been hired by an unstable billionaire who has hatched a plot to wipe out his business competition and effectively ruin the local economy. Against a backdrop of glitz and glamour hurricanes of violence churn bearing down on the totally clueless. Suicide bombers descend on a synagogue packed with worshippers; terrorists infiltrate a holiday party of local luminaries; and, hostages are taken at a private school for children of the rich and famous. “Animus” races forward with murders, kidnappings, betrayals, and the arrival of a secret team from Delta Force. A wild chase across the wind-swept rocks around and above the Montauk Lighthouse will provide a slam-bang climax to the tale.

484 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2008

About the author

Phil Keith earned a bachelor's degree in history from Harvard and has done master’s work at Long Island University and the Naval War College. After graduating from Harvard, Phil went directly into the Navy and became an aviator. During three tours in Vietnam, he served with distinction and was awarded, among other decorations, the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Navy Commendation Medal.
After his wartime service, Phil rose to the rank of Commander in the Naval Reserve and is also a licensed US Coast Guard Captain and Master’s Mate. As a business executive, he worked for two Fortune 500 firms and is a former assistant professor of business at Long Island University. Since 2007 Phil has been an adjunct instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design, teaching marketing and writing courses.
Phil has authored novels and nonfiction books. His Vietnam book, Blackhorse Riders, from St. Martin’s Press, won the 2012 award from USA Book News for Best Military Non-Fiction, was a finalist for the 2013 Colby Award, and earned a 2013 silver medal from Military Writers Society of America. His second Vietnam book, Fire Base Illingworth, released by St. Martin’s Press in 2013, was a Gold Medal winner from MWSA. His latest book (Zenith Press) is “Stay the Rising Sun,” an account of the crucial WW II Battle of the Coral Sea and the loss of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in May, 1942. Phil is currently working on two more non-fiction books: one on the Civil War and another about Eugene Bullard, the first African-American fighter pilot. He has also completed fictional novel about Vietnam to be released in summer, 2017.
Phil serves on the planning board for the Town of Southampton, New York, and is a member of VFW Post 5350, American Legion Post 924, the Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America. He writes an opinion column for the Press newspapers called "Mostly Right," and lives in Southampton with his partner Laura Lyons and son Pierce.