"The goal is for this to be a place for respectful discussion; informed criticism; Christian orthodoxy; sound economics; traditional conservatism; civilized politics; interesting reviews of books, movies, television and streaming shows, and other artsy stuff; sports analysis; humor; fun; and more." - Ray Keating, editor, publisher, columnist and economist at the Keating Files
For about 20 years, Ray Keating wrote a weekly column - a short time with the New York City Tribune, more than 11 years with Newsday, another seven years with Long Island Business News, plus another year-and-a-half with RealClearMarkets.com. As an economist, Keating also pens an assortment of analyses each week. With the Keating Files, he decided to expand his efforts with regular commentary touching on a broad range of issues, written by himself and an assortment of talented contributors and columnists. So, here goes...
James Bond Day is October 5. Celebrate with Ray Keating and his creation, Pastor Stephen Grant. For example, consider what The Rev. Kenneth V. Blanchard, a former CIA officer, wrote in a review of The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel for The Washington Times:
“Mr. Keating's storytelling is so lifelike that I almost thought I had worked with him when I was at Langley. Like the fictitious pastor, I actually spent 20 years working for the U.S. intelligence community, and once I started reading 'The River,'... I simply could not put it down. What Ian Fleming's 007 series has probably done for ex-MI-6 agents and Tom Clancy has done for retired CIA officers, Mr. Keating has done for the minority of former CIA agents who have served their country by working in the intelligence community, but now wish to serve God.”
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel,which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbackshereand the Kindle editionhere.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle atAmazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
James Bond Day is October 5. Celebrate with Ray Keating and his creation, Pastor Stephen Grant. Indeed, consider a James Bond-type in a very different profession. From James Bond to Pastor Stephen Grant?
In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted,
“Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining. As for larger themes, there is vocation, of course. I see these books as honoring the pastoral ministry. Because in real life, pastors are heroes engaged in saving the world.”
Veith also wrote, “Now, imagine that James Bond, the dashing spy with a license to kill who keeps saving the world, decides to become a pastor… Grant is a former swashbuckling CIA agent who finds himself called to the ministry… Pastor Grant extends pastoral care to people he encounters – explaining the gospel, offering marriage counseling, and bringing God into the conversations – though he also dispatches bad guys with his gun. Talk about Law and Gospel.”
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel,which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbackshereand the Kindle editionhere.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle atAmazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
James Bond Day is October 5. One way to celebrate is with Ray Keating and his creation, Pastor Stephen Grant. From the “Author Introduction to the Second Edition" of Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, here’s what Ray writes about the influence James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming, had on the creation of Pastor Stephen Grant…
As for deciding to write Warrior Monk, my work as an economist did come into play. Many years ago now, a colleague mentioned that a new priest at her parish formerly worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. That caught my attention, and I filed it away just in case I ever did delve into the fiction realm.
A few years later, in 2007, I received word that Hofstra University on Long Island would be hosting a conference titled “Bond, James Bond: The World of 007.” My editor at Newsday agreed that I should cover the event for my column. At that gathering of Bond experts and fans from around the world, I learned that Ian Fleming was 44 years old when his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published. That happened to be how old I was at the time of the conference. So, I took that as some kind of sign. I filed my Newsday column on the conference, and then started working on my first novel, featuring a Lutheran pastor who had been a Navy SEAL and a CIA operative. Stephen Grant was born.
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel,which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbackshereand the Kindle editionhere.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle atAmazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
While we wait for the announcement of who will next play British secret agent James Bond on the big screen, Bond fans and even those with only a passing interest should take the time to get to know Bond better. They can include re-watching the movies, but I suggest taking time to read the James Bond books.
Amazingly, there are more than 40 James Bond novels to read, including the original 14 written by Bond creator Ian Fleming.
Fleming died in 1964, and two of his Bond books were published posthumously. Subsequently, the Fleming estate has selected various writers to pen further adventures of 007.
What one gets from the books that’s largely missing from the movies is a far more complete Bond, including his doubts, fears, internal reflections, his love of England, his past, his thoughts in unraveling mysteries, regrets, his perspective on death, and his assorted, at times surprising, desires. The books provide James Bond in full.
And that most certainly includes a Bond trilogy just completed by novelist Anthony Horowitz.
In 2015, Horowitz’s first Bond novel – Trigger Mortis – was published. With a few pinches of Ian Fleming material integrated into the story, we open the book with James Bond just after Goldfinger. This is Bond at his peak, and the author treats us to a great deal of Bond’s thinking on a wide range of matters, including evil.
Then in 2018, again with a bit of Fleming’s original material, Horowitz, in Forever and a Day, takes us back to Bond’s first mission as a double-0, not all that long after World War II. Here, we see Bond working to earn the job of being 007.
And finally, the recently published With a Mind to Kill, we take flight with a more experienced Bond in the 1960s. Being older and through a great deal more than most men could possibly imagine never mind survive, Bond doesn’t waver in terms of what he thinks about the job he is doing, even as the world around him seems to have queries and doubts. As for Bond, he has more questions about whether or not he, in particular, is still capable of being the person to do the job.
In each of the books, Horowitz ably combines plenty of action, with a mix of gravity, humor and alarm, as well as degrees of warmth and emotional depth. He not only excels at capturing Ian Fleming’s voice, but I couldn’t help but think of the Bond in these pages being played by Sean Connery. That’s a credit to both Horowitz, and, of course, Connery.
Each of Horowitz’s James Bond books – Trigger Mortis, Forever and a Day and With a Mind to Kill – deserve to be savored by readers.
But there’s more. As the Bond powers-that-be ponder who should play Bond next and what the stories should be, why not turn to Horowitz’s trilogy for some answers? Taking Bond back to the 1950s and 1960s would be a bold and marvelous choice. Well-done period pieces can be completely engrossing, and there’s simply so much more that Bond can do as a spy in the midst of the Cold War. Take the cue from these Horowitz books. Heck, take the stories from these books!
As for who should play Bond, well, there’s no direct answer from these books. But it’s rather easy to see that Henry Cavill has the right look and stature to play a James Bond of the 50s and 60s. (For Cavill, imagine a career marked by playing both Superman and James Bond!) I certainly would look forward to that first moment on screen, when a Henry Cavill Bond, in a tux, declares, “Bond, James Bond.”
_________
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel,which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbackshereand the Kindle editionhere.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle atAmazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
For August 24th and St. Bartholomew, Weedon, in part, writes: “St. Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) was one of the first of our Lord’s disciples. His home was in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord performed His first miracle. According to St. John’s Gospel, Philip sought to introduce his friend to Jesus in Judea. Nathanael was more than a little skeptical about a Messiah who hailed from the town of Nazareth (a town not even mentioned in the Old Testament). But Philip urged him, ‘Come and see.’ He did, and as so many have done since, he left a changed person.”
In the Pastor Stephen Grant books, Father Tom Stone is the rector at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church. Here’s a description of the church from Warrior Monk: “St. Bartholomew’s Church itself was a beautiful, historic stone building that resembled a mini-castle. Another building comfortably housed church offices, a large room for congregational meetings, dinners and events, classrooms and storage. And the large, six-bedroom parsonage was made of the same materials as the church. All of this sat on four acres on a lake in Eastport.”
And as for Father Stone, here’s the quick rundown: “A priest and rector at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church on Long Island, Tom is one of Grant’s closest friends, and served as Stephen’s best man. He enjoyed surfing while growing up in southern California, and is known for an easygoing manner and robust sense of humor. Along with Stephen, Tom and other friends regularly meet for morning devotions and conversation at a local diner, and often play golf together. Tom is married to Maggie Stone, who runs her own public relations business. They are the parents to six children.”
Oh, yes, on days when the temperature hits at least 50 degrees, and when not in clergy attire, Tom is known for his Hawaiian shirts (much like the person who created this character!).
Happy St. Bart’s Day!
_________
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. He is the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, and the Alliance of Saint Michael novels; and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel, which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbacks here and the Kindle edition here.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book – The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle at Amazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.
In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.
Regarding CATHEDRAL…
"A stellar depiction of time period and tension. With so many swirling motives and three-dimensional characters in the mix, there is inherent tension for readers, as they eagerly anticipate one of Keating’s classic twists. The depth of historical detail is notable; a good deal of research went into the crafting of this novel, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel. The complex puzzle makes for a page-turning and unpredictable ride, and a firm foundation for Keating’s enticing new series." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
“…many of you will enjoy Cathedral and the new series that it launches… Ray Keating is working with an explicitly Christian moral and theological framework, demonstrating the freedom that Lutheran novelists have in their vocation.” - Gene Veith, Cranach: The Blog of Veith, and author of many books including The Spirituality of the Cross
“A sophisticatedly crafted and exhilarating read, the intrigue and thrills begin from the very first page and don’t stop till the end as Keating delivers an absolute corker of a Historical Thriller! … Cathedral proves an addictively entertaining five-star read and is unreservedly recommended.” - BookViral Reviews
“This new Alliance of St. Michael series continues Keating's already demonstrated mastery and skill in writing, character development, and accelerating the interest level of the reader throughout… As with all Keating novels, this newest venture is worth your interest, reading and gifting.” - Pastor Rod Zwonitzer, retired host of KFUO radio's “BookTalk”
“A Catholic, a Lutheran, and an Anglican walk into an auditorium, all surprisingly ready for action and adventure. Ray Keating’s newest series, ‘An Alliance of Saint Michael,’ is an action thriller starring various Christians, of various denominations, coming together to fight ideological evil… a good summer read, quite in line with Keating’s other works.” - Mary J. Moerbe, “Meet, Write & Salutary” blog
I don’t particularly like when people talk about “the good old days.” Were they really that good?
I’ve also become less of a fan of the word “nostalgia,” coming to see a sentimental longing for the past as kind of sad.
Yet, at the same time, I’m fascinated by the past, by history. Heck, I just published a piece of historical fiction – Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel – set in the early 1930s.
So, what’s the deal? Specifically, I love learning from the past; finding people, moments and things from history offering insights and value; and informing people today so that they too can learn and gain appreciation.
Having said this, rare moments occur when someone or something great from the past builds on those experiences to raise something current to a higher level in certain ways. I had that happen twice over the past week and a half.
First, I saw Paul McCartney at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on May 28. While I was excited to see one of the true greats of rock ‘n’ roll, I didn’t really know what to expect with the “Got Back” tour. After all, the former Beatle is 79 years old. So, I lowered my expectations heading to the concert. No matter what, just seeing McCartney live in concert would be enough.
It turned out that I was completely blown away. The music was awesome largely because of McCartney’s abilities, again, at 79. His voice was strong. His guitar and piano playing were spot on. The entire show was a sensation. And then throw into the mix his history as a great songwriter and Beatle, as well as the fact that he skillfully sprinkled in some wonderful stories and bows to the likes of John Lennon and George Harrison. There also was a humbleness communicated from McCartney that was in no way contrived.
This ranked as a celebration of McCartney’s entire career, a recognition of his past and current skills, and very much a top-notch concert (indeed, one of the best I’ve ever attended).
For all of my life, I’ve loved songs like “Junior’s Farm,” “Love Me Do,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” and “Band on the Run.” And McCartney and his current band played those superbly, as they did with the rest of their lengthy playlist for more than two-and-half hours that night.
And then there was the three-song close to their main setlist – a beautiful rendition of “Let It Be,” followed by a major shift of gears to “Live and Let Die” amidst fire and fireworks, and then cellphone lights filling the stadium to “Hey Jude.” Toss in an excellent encore, and this Paul McCartney concert was sublime.
Could there be more? A few nights later, I had a different, yet similar experience in a movie theater.
While I enjoyed Top Gun when it hit movie theaters in 1986, it was never a big favorite of mine. For some reason, however, the trailers for Top Gun: Maverick, a sequel coming 36 years later, captured my imagination, and my anticipation was only further fueled by what I had read about the film.
Top Gun: Maverick wasn’t going to be a green screen, CGI escapade. This was going to be actors in the cockpits of jet fighters (along with actual pilots), real aircraft carriers, and so on. And it in no way disappointed. The flight scenes were nothing less than breathtaking. I’ve come to expect a great deal visually from a Tom Cruise movie in recent years, and this did more than deliver, it surpassed those expectations.
But, yes, there was still more. While this was first and foremost an action movie, it had real characters. It was evident that the director, Joseph Kosinski, writers and actors cared about the story. It had heart. It made sense (never a given today). And there was real weight to the decisions and actions taken by the characters. And it dealt with such values as honor and sacrifice.
Do you have to see Top Gun to fully appreciate Top Gun: Maverick? It certainly helps, but it isn’t a hard requirement. While taking much from that 1986 film, this new movie moves beyond it in most ways – from the characters to the action.
Tom Cruise, Kosinski and the rest of the cast and crew have achieved what few others have in Hollywood. They took something from the past that was beloved by many, and improved upon it. In fact, Top Gun: Maverick is an action movie that not only blows past many other recent action films, but it’s far superior to the original Top Gun.
Yeah, from Paul McCartney belting out “Get Back” to Tom Cruise skimming the treetops in jet fighter, this was far more than mere nostalgia, it was current-day greatness with a tip of the hat to the past.
_________
Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Two great ways to pre-order Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel, which is Ray’s sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series. Signed paperbacks here and the Kindle edition here.
Two great ways to order Ray Keating’s new nonfiction book –The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Signed paperbacks here, and paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions here.
Get all of Ray Keating Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries in paperback and for the Kindle at Amazon.com and signed books at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.
In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.
Regarding Cathedral…
"A stellar depiction of time period and tension. With so many swirling motives and three-dimensional characters in the mix, there is inherent tension for readers, as they eagerly anticipate one of Keating’s classic twists. The depth of historical detail is notable; a good deal of research went into the crafting of this novel, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel. The complex puzzle makes for a page-turning and unpredictable ride, and a firm foundation for Keating’s enticing new series." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
Order the paperbacks, hardcovers and Kindle editions right here!
Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novelis a new edge-of-your-seat adventure from Ray Keating. This is his sixteenth work of fiction, and the first in the Alliance of Saint Michael series.
The Alliance of Saint Michael brings together men and women with varied backgrounds and talents to work covertly against the two most significant threats to Christianity and civilization at the dawn of the 1930s - communism and fascism.
In Moscow, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is going to be obliterated to make way for the Palace of the Soviets. The Alliance of St. Michael readies itself for its first mission – find and salvage a rare item of great significance from the cathedral before the building is lost.
Cathedral is a work of historical fiction filled with interesting characters that readers will come to care about, nail-biting moments, thrilling action, assorted mysteries and questions, love, danger, friendship, and reflections on God, faith, war, one’s calling in life and more.
Ray Keating, who is known for penning 15 Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries (with more coming), said, “I’m excited to introduce new stories and characters set in a time of grave dangers. I found it particularly fascinating to explore how these characters choose to act in a time when Western Civilization is confronted by the challenges of both fascism and communism.”
Regarding Ray Keating, Kirkus Reviews calls his books “exhilarating.” Lutheran Book Review says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.”
Looking for your next great series obsession? Dive into Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. Or if already a reader of these page-turners, make sure you’re caught up.
Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, came on the thriller/mystery scene in Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel. During 15 books in the series so far, readers come to see that Grant didn’t fully leave his old life behind. He often must wrestle with how his current work as a pastor intersects with his former life with the CIA. With a wide-ranging group of recurring characters – from his days with the Agency to his parish work – the reader is treated to action, suspense, humor, various relationships, faith, love, adventure, mystery, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.
Kirkus Reviews has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.” Lutheran Book Review says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.” David Keene of The Washington Times calls these novels “great reads.” And another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!”
In an article titled “If James Bond Became a Pastor” covering Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries series, author and columnist Gene Veith noted, “Mr. Keating knows how to tell an exciting story. And these books, like the James Bond novels, are ridiculously entertaining.”
And the “Book Series in Order” website declares, “Many noteworthy critics have given rave reviews to books of the series and have applauded the efforts of author Ray Keating in coming up with such an exciting series and unique character… The worldwide success of this series helped Ray Keating in establishing himself in the ranks of the noteworthy authors of the spy thriller/espionage genre.”
