Interview With NYT Best-Selling Author Military History Martin Dugard

 

From Martin Dugard, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Bill O'Reilly's Killing series—with more than twelve million copies sold—comes a fast-paced, dramatic account of the famous yet little understood battle that turned the tide of World War II. Here's an interview below: 

1. What inspired you to write this book? I like action-packed history. Midway has the significance of being not only one of the most pivotal naval battles in world history. It's also sheer action from beginning to end. Add in some extremely interesting characters and a very real emotional element, and it's impossible not to want to write about Midway.  

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for? It's about the battle AFTER Pearl Harbor, when the American Navy in the Pacific was in danger of being destroyed once and for all by a much larger and more powerful Japanese force. This is a book for anyone who enjoys a good story, well told. Not just history buffs -- anyone.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I want them to turn the last page and want to go back and read it all over again. I'd also like them to think so highly of the Midway story that they go back and devour Taking Paris, Taking Berlin, and my epic look at the Battle of Britain, Taking London.  

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The publisher presented me with several options. Interestingly enough, the cover was designed by Tom McKeveny, who also designed the cover of my Farther Than Any Man back in 2001.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? Ha! Pages every day. Progress every day. Realize that roadblocks are the creative mind's way of telling you to think outside the box.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? Publishing is always in flux. I'd like to see the non-fiction audience skew younger, thinking of history in the same way as an exciting work of fiction.  

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? I'm a traveler and by nature a curious person. I've visited the Imperial War Museum in Tokyo and was intrigued that World War II was viewed so differently. This informed my decision to research the Japanese side of the battle as much as the American.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I like to write in a cinematic, you-are-there style. Present tense, vivid description, short chapters to keep the pace brisk. Research is crucial to underpinning a strong writing style with the heft of vital detail.  

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? I wanted to tell Midway from a unique point of view. Rather than open with Pearl Harbor, which is the conventional way, I chose to open with the British perspective in the Pacific. To make the transition back to the American point of view, I introduced Midway itself as a character, going full Michener. It was a risk that paid off.  

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because it will blow your mind. You won't believe you're reading history as you turn pages deep into the night.  

About The Author: Martin Dugard is the New York Times bestselling author of several books of history, among them: Taking London, Taking Paris, Taking Berlin, the Killing series, Into Africa, and The Explorers. Please see for more info: martindugard.com; https://www.facebook.com/martinjdugard/; https://www.instagram.com/authormartindugard

 

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 4.25 million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum