Notable Works
You’ll like what you read.
Marcus Brotherton writes powerful, poignant books about people doing noble things.
He surfaces the stories you’ve been searching for — stories about ordinary people faced with challenging situations who learn to survive and thrive.
Ultimately, his books help guide your own heroics. They inspire you to do wonderful things with your life.
The Long March Home
[Revell] Inspired by true stories, and written in tribute to those who were there, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope from two New York Times bestselling authors.
Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.
Life in the Philippines seems like paradise — until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.
What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.
- Starred review, Publisher’s Weekly.
- Starred review, Booklist.
- Starred review, Library Journal.
- Winner of the 2024 International Book Award.
- Finalist for Hemingway Book Award, recognizing outstanding works for 20th Century Wartime Fiction.
- Top 10 Best of Booklist, Historical Fiction.
- Winner of 2025 One Book One Nebraska Award.
- Longlisted for Reading the West Book Award.
“[A] tour de force. This is a winner.”
— Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review)
“A must-read literary triumph.”
— Booklist (Starred Review)
“A great read.”
— Library Journal (Starred Review)
“A tense, engrossing tale. One of the finest books of historical wartime fiction since ‘Once and Eagle’ by Anton Myrer.”
— Reader’s Digest
“An important and masterful book. Highest recommendation.”
— Historical Novel Society
“Remarkable.”
— Mark Sullivan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘Beneath a Scarlet Sky’
“Packed with tension.”
— Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘Before We Were Yours’
“Such real characters.”
— Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Venice Sketchbook’
“Riveting.”
— Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man series
“Utterly compelling.”
— Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of ‘The Nature of Fragile Things’
“Simply magnificent.”
— Don Bentley, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Hostile Intent’
“Dazzling.”
— Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of ‘House on Fire’
“A tremendous story.”
— Andrew Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Blue Madagascar’
“Beautifully and faultlessly told.”
— Steve Martini, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Blood Flag’
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
A Bright and Blinding Sun
[Hachette] An incredible true war story of an underage soldier who experiences his first love and loss on the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor.
[May 24, 2022] Joe Johnson Jr. ran away from home at the age of 12, hopping a freight train at the height of the Great Depression. He managed to talk his way into the U.S. Army two years later. Seeking freedom and adventure, he was sent to the Philippines.
Adrift in spirit, Joe became unlikely, smitten allies with a teenage girl from Manila. Yet when the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941, their hopes of being together had to wait. Joe and his fellow soldiers fought for four brutal months in Bataan and Corregidor, until they were forced to surrender. The boy endured years of horror as a prisoner of war, only dreaming about seeing again the girl he’d come to love.
This lyrically written and deeply encouraging saga will remind you that every life can be lifted, forgiveness is the patron of restoration, and redemption is available to all.
“A gripping book, storytelling at its best, with an enduring message. Not only has Marcus Brotherton brilliantly chronicled the life of one boy, but in doing so he has told the story of countless others. With impeccable research, he beautifully educates us to a time and place in history that needs to be remembered and acknowledged for the bravery and resilience of so many, under brutal circumstances. Unreservedly recommended.”
— Heather Morris, #1 internationally bestselling author, ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’
“Brotherton has done his homework. This account of Joe Johnson’s experiences is hard to put down. A good read.”
— Kirkus
“Marcus Brotherton has crafted a strong and respected canon of narrative nonfiction books. In particular, he writes beautifully and hauntingly about the paradoxes of war. Humanity and horror mix and mingle in the fray, but in the end good triumphs over evil. Joe Johnson’s story is truly a testament that every one of us can overcome the obstacles that we are dealt, and even thrive when the odds are against us.”
— New York Times bestselling author Sara Vladic
“Private Joe Johnson displayed an indomitable spirit throughout his remarkable life. He endured what seemed impossible and came out the other side victorious. Marcus Brotherton always writes a powerful book, and A Bright and Blinding Sun does not disappoint.”
— Green Beret SFC Ryan Hendrickson, Silver Star recipient.
“Full of near-death twists and unlikely escapes, this will appeal to fans of Laura Hillenbrand’s ‘Unbroken.’
— Publisher’s Weekly
Watch the trailer.
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Blaze of Light
[Penguin Random House] For fans of Unbroken and Hacksaw Ridge comes an incredible true story—
After dawn, the siege began. It was April 1, 1970, and Army Green Beret medic Gary Beikirch knew the odds were stacked against their survival. Some 10,000 enemy soldiers sought to obliviate the 12 American Special Forces troops and 400 indigenous fighters who stood fast to defend 2,300 women and children inside the village.
For his valor and selflessness during the ruthless siege of Dak Seang, Beikirch would be awarded a Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest and most-prestigious military decoration. But when he returned to the States, he faced his most difficult fight yet. To conquer the battle at home, he chose an unlikely solution—one that involved the harsh wilderness of the northern Appalachians and an indomitable will to survive.
Blaze of Light is a powerful story twice over—for the tale it tells, and for the redemption it surfaces. It’s the kind of story you read then pass along to a friend, a story that nudges its way into your soul to heal your own wounded spirit. You won’t need to be a war-history buff to devour Blaze of Light. You just have to love a great book.
See the book trailer HERE.
Read a sneak peek HERE.
“[A] riveting biography … This gripping story of courage, honor, and faith will appeal broadly, both to readers interested in war accounts as well as those seeking an affecting tale of recovery and redemption.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
“A harrowing story [told with] precision. It left me thoroughly inspired ….”
— Eric Blehm, New York Times bestselling author of Fearless
“From the wind-blast of landing choppers to the sensory assault of close-quarters battle, Blaze of Light put me right in the middle of the steaming jungles of Vietnam. Gary Beikirch was grievously wounded and facing a ruthless enemy, and his selfless choices made him the rarest of war heroes—one whose valor is measured not in lives taken, but in lives saved.”
— Lynn Vincent, New York Times bestselling author of Indianapolis
“…This story is so powerful it could change your life.”
— Colonel Jim Coy, (Ret), 3rd SFG, Persian Gulf War
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Shifty’s War
[Penguin] A poignant memoir about Sgt. Darrell “Shifty” Powers—the highly respected and internationally known sharpshooter featured in the Band of Brothers. Shifty’s War is a tale of heroism and adventure, of a soldier’s blood-filled days fighting his way from the shores of France to the heartland of Germany, and the epic story of how one man’s skills and engagingly unassuming personality propelled him to a life of unexpected greatness. Readers say they absolutely love this book and even read it twice.
“A beautifully-crafted insight into the life of a national treasure.”
—Ian Gardner, co-author Tonight We Die as Men
“Shifty Powers was my best friend, and this book has captured his voice exactly.”
—Sgt. Earl ‘One Lung’ McClung, E Co, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
“The wonder of this book is how good it makes you feel.”
—Robyn Post, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
We Who Are Alive & Remain
[Penguin] Twenty of the last surviving Easy Company members (AKA: the Band of Brothers) tell stories of combat from Normandy through the end of World War II in this New York Times bestselling oral history project.
“A fascinating collection of oral histories…. Be amazed. Be humbled.”
—Flint Whitlock, Pulitzer-nominated author and military historian The Fighting First
“…brilliantly arranged … cohesive, and thought-provoking …”
—WWII Forum
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
A Company of Heroes
[Penguin] Their lives were about courage, determination, loyalty, and lasting friendships. Within a company filled with heroes, each man has a story worth telling. The families of 26 deceased paratroopers from Easy Company invite you to meet the Band of Brothers like never before.
“A fascinating book.”
—Dale Dye, Captain, USMC (Ret.) and Senior Military Advisor, HBO’s Band of Brothers
“Honest and raw… ”
—C. Susan Finn, daughter of Burr Smith, one of the original Band of Brothers
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Grateful American
[HarperCollins] A New York Times bestseller, USA Today bestseller, Wall Street Journal bestseller, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. Theater icon, award-winning film and television star, and American patriot Gary Sinise shares the never-before-told story of his journey from trouble-making Chicago kid to cofounder of the legendary Steppenwolf Theater Company, world-famous actor, and tireless advocate for America’s active duty defenders, veterans, and first responders. Enjoy the moving, entertaining, never-before-told story of how one man found his calling.
“As compelling on the page as he is on stage and screen, Sinise shares moving details…This humble and affecting chronicle…is a welcome antidote to a cynical and divided time.”
— Booklist (Starred Review)
“No entertainer alive today has visited and performed more for our troops at veteran’s hospitals and military bases all over the world than Gary Sinise … The book is called Grateful American, and I promise you after you read it you will be grateful for what Gary has accomplished and contributed to our country. He’s truly one of a kind.”
— Clint Eastwood
“Gary Sinise writes as he lives, and as the artist and actor he has always been: with American authenticity, purpose, and a conviction that is inseparable from his nature.”
— Tom Hanks
“… brings light and hope to people …”
— Patricia Heaton
” … incredibly honest …”
— General Robin Rand (retired), U.S. Air Force
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Tough As They Come
[Penguin Random House] In this New York Times bestselling account of SSG Travis Mills’ heroic fight for survival, he recalls the action-packed and challenging days of his 3 tours of duty in Afghanistan with the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, the agony of encountering a hidden bomb while on patrol with his men, and his odds-defying struggle afterward to come back from severe quadruple amputee injuries and rebuild his life. Winner of the 2016 Christopher Award for literature that “affirms the highest value of the human spirit.” [*** Currently in process of being made into a feature-length movie, directed by Sylvester Stallone and starring Sly and Adam Driver, see HERE. ***]
“What this man did is heroic. What he sacrificed is unimaginable. And what he’s written is simply unforgettable “
—Mike Rowe
“This book is gutsy and honest, filled with humor even in its darkest moments.”
— Troy Aikman
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Call of Duty
[Penguin] A national bestseller. Lt. Buck Compton commanded the second platoon of E Co, 506th PIR and was portrayed by actor Neal McDonough in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. After the war, Compton went on to a career as detective, prosecutor, and judge. He served as the lead prosecutor in Sirhan Sirhan’s trial for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy.
“A refreshingly frank memoir.”
—Military.com
“This memoir does [Buck Compton’s] story the service it deserves.”
—Senator John McCain (from the foreword)
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Voices of the Pacific
[Penguin] Be inspired by the much-awaited oral history project with the Marines featured in the HBO miniseries The Pacific. These veterans are national treasures. They endured unspeakable horrors, came home to America, and more than sixty-seven years later are still alive today. A national bestseller and Denver Post bestseller.
“… fantastic …”
—Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Liberator
“… powerful …”
—Dale Dye, military advisor for Band of Brothers and The Pacific
“…the same gut-level realism as the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan.”
—Bob Welch, author of Resolve
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Feast For Thieves
[River North] Dive into Marcus’ widely-acclaimed novel, winner of a 2015 Christy Award for excellence in fiction, and recipient of the “Editor’s Choice” distinction from the Historical Novel Society. Inspired by a true story and set in 1946, Sergeant Rowdy Slater is an elite incorrigible paratrooper who returns home to Texas from WWII. Remorseful about his role in a bank robbery, he is offered a deal by the sheriff: serve one year as a community minister or go to jail. This is a wild ride of a book bursting with kidnapping, desperate prayers, and barroom brawls. Order FEAST FOR THIEVES today.
“Highly recommended. A hard-edged and well-crafted novel, with surreptitiously smart prose, confident plotting, and characters you feel you know.”
—Michelle Burford, founding senior features editor of O, the Oprah Magazine
“An exhilarating story … Masterful and riveting, humorous yet poignant …”
— Julie Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Free
“Packed with action, intrigue, and scoundrels. Readers will want to find out exactly how the unlikely hero is going to escape yet another predicament.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
“I especially loved Brotherton’s novel, as it turned out to be a book with a lot of religion in it that wasn’t either cheesy (see Amish fiction) or conspiratorial (see The Da Vinci Code).”
— Book Riot
“All the characters felt like family by the end of the novel. Through the setting and the use of a dialect unique to the place and time, it’s clear that Brotherton did his homework and thoroughly researched every piece of this novel. I am sure I am not the only reader hoping for more fiction from Brotherton.”
— The Gazette, Iowa
“This story is a delight. There is a strong sense of literary quality here, combined with a remarkably unique redemptive message. The characters are real, the descriptions potent, and the force of a good story well told is strong throughout. Highly recommended.”
— Davis Bunn, bestselling novelist, lecturer in Oxford University’s creative writing program
“… fantastic …”
—Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Liberator
“… powerful …”
—Dale Dye, military advisor for Band of Brothers and The Pacific
“…the same gut-level realism as the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan.”
—Bob Welch, author of Resolve
– See more at: https://marcusbrotherton.com/notable-works/#sthash.R92aHMzj.dpuf
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
No Excuses
[Simon & Schuster] The first deaf athlete to play offense in the NFL (and win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks!) relates his inspirational story of hard work and determination in his own words. Great for readers of all ages.
“Seahawks’ Derrick Coleman has truly overcome the odds. “
—Good Morning America
“Coleman’s story … will pull at readers’ heart strings…. A triumphant account … [a] sensitive retelling.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Still LoLo
[Tyndale Momentum] Lauren (“LoLo”) Scruggs, a 23-year-old fashion journalist, suffered a sudden injury that made headlines around the world when she exited a small plane and was hit by the still-moving propeller blade. A frantic 911 call, several major surgeries, and thousands of prayers later, Lauren lived. But she lost her left hand and left eye. This is a compelling and fiercely beautiful story of determination, faith, and staying true to who you are—no matter what.
“…a beautiful read…”
—Giuliana Rancic, anchor E! News
“(Lauren’s) attitude, joy, and faith are daily reminders of what I aspire to be.”
—Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
A Dog Named Beautiful
[Macmillan] Booklist Starred Review. When U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Rob Kugler returned home from Iraq after losing his brother in the fighting, he was a broken man. Rob’s marriage fell apart, and all he felt he had left in life was his beloved chocolate lab, Bella. Then Bella got cancer — and everybody told Rob to put the dog down. Instead, Rob had her cancer-riddled leg amputated, buying her more time and affording her more comfort — and took off with Bella on an epic road trip around America. A Dog Named Beautiful is a book full of inspiration, hope, love, tears, and laughs. Enjoy the journey!
“Expertly balance[d] … a must-read for fans of A Dog Called hope and Travels with Charley.“
— Booklist (Starred Review)
“A beautiful, beautiful book.”
— Jenna Bush Hager
“…[an] emotionally-wrought memoir. Kugler’s heartfelt and uplifting story reveals the transformative power pets can have.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Finding Martha’s Place
[Simon & Schuster] Born the tenth of twelve children in Montgomery at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Martha Hawkins overcame poverty and episodes of deep depression to become a successful restaurateur and inspirational speaker.
“A feel good memoir… with passion to spare.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“… Remarkable…”
—Doug McMillon, CEO Wal-Mart International
“… Magical…”
—Beth Goehring, The Good Cook and Homestyle
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Devotion
[Penguin Random House] A New York Times bestseller. Devotion is the incredible true story of Tom Hudner, an all-American soldier who passed up Harvard to join the Navy, and Jesse Brown, a talented pilot who became the first African American to fly in combat for the U.S. Navy. During the Korean conflict, while much of America remained divided by segregation, Jesse and Tom joined forces as wingmen in Fighter Squadron 32. When one of the duo is shot down behind enemy lines and pinned in his burning plane, the other faces an unthinkable choice: watch his friend die or attempt history’s most audacious one-man rescue mission. Now a major motion picture from Black Label Media and Sony Pictures, see the latest news here.
“A meticulously researched and moving account.”
— USA Today
“[Devotion] reads like a dream. The perfectly-paced story cruises along in the fast lane — when you’re finished you’ll want to start all over again.”
— Associated Press
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
A Higher Call
[Penguin] A German pilot encounters an American pilot in the skies during the horrors of World War II, but instead of death and destruction, a beautiful story of a courage, sacrifice, and brotherhood emerges in this New York Times and international bestseller.
“Beautifully told.”
—CNN
“A remarkable story…worth retelling and celebrating.”
—USA Today
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
The Nightingale of Mosul
[Kaplan] Through the Peace Corps, inner city schools, working with adolescent psychiatric wards, and finally through service in Iraq, Colonel Susan Luz, who was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service, tells the story of a life dedicated to service, family, compassion, and country—and challenges readers to redefine their ideals of what it means to fight for what truly matters.
“… decidedly authentic …”
—Wall Street Journal
“I cried at times … and laughed like hell … every nurse should read this book.”
— Edward “Babe” Heffron, E Co, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Buy now on Amazon
Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table
[HarperCollins] National bestseller. Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. Pastor and visionary Louie Giglio invites readers to discover how to break free from the chains of negative thinking and experience true freedom from unhealthy thoughts and emotions.
“This book is a treasure you’ll return to again and again.”
— Lisa TerKeurst
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Goliath Must Fall
[HarperCollins] National bestseller. Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. Nationally-bestselling author and speaker Louie Giglio offers a reinterpretation of the story of David and Goliath that likens the giant in the story to threats such as rejection, fear, and anger.
“This book offers freedom for anyone willing to face their giants
— Grammy-award winning artist Lacrea
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
The Comeback
[HarperCollins] National bestseller. Have you ever longed for a comeback? We all know what it feels like to have life disappoint us and not work out as we’d hoped. The Comeback celebrates new beginnings. It offers encouragement and perspective, and it’s for you if you feel frustrated or confused, if you’re sorrowing or in pain, if you’ve made mistakes or are grieving, if you’re disappointed or feel as though life doesn’t make sense.
“An amazing book that empowers us to push through our mistakes to a new life beyond.”
— Craig Groeschel
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles
[Tyndale]. Winner of ECPA Gold Medallion for Excellence in Children’s Literature. It’s like Captain Underpants meets the Bible, only reverent! What happens when a room full of kids find themselves without a junior-church teacher? They choose one of their own crowd to take her place, of course! Twelve-year-old Kirby McCook, mentored by his grandfather, leads his rambunctious friends through the stories of Jesus in this creative and fun Bible storybook, for ages 7-12.
“Oh, to be a kid again! If you’re looking for a book about Jesus that your kids will absolutely love to read, check out Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles. Your kids will laugh and learn. I highly recommend this book!”
— Max Lucado
Buy now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
