Umberto Nardolicci is the author of the new novel Eye of the Nomad, the first in his War of Fear trilogy.
Q: What inspired you to write Eye of the Nomad?
A: As a young sailor in the US Navy, I developed a passion for martial arts that led me to delve deeper into the Eastern philosophies behind the principles.
During this time, in an obscure article, I came across the details of Yasotay, who was credited with being the first to develop warriors who utilized psychological warfare, or psyops, to decimate their enemies. Yasotay was integral to building Genghis Khan’s empire and creating the Mangoday, also credited as being the first group of Special Forces.
Over time, I continued my studies but found little more on the history of Yasotay, which left much to my imagination, inspiring the War of Fear trilogy. Eye of the Nomad is the first book of the series that brings to life the character of Yasotay, a testament to over 30 years of study, reflection, and creative speculation.
Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: My research for Eye of the Nomad began with a deep dive into the history and philosophies of the East. I started by studying classics like The Art of War by Sun Tzu and Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, which opened my eyes to the complexities of translating these ancient works across cultures.
As I explored further, I became captivated by the stories of China’s great dynasties, particularly the Yuan Dynasty. One pivotal source was an article I found in Armed Forces Journal about Yasotay, the lesser known leader of Genghis Khan’s special forces, the Mangoday.
Q: What are some of the most common perceptions and misconceptions about Genghis Khan?
A: When people think of Genghis Khan, they often envision someone born destined for evil. However, what many don’t realize is that he was, at his core, just like the rest of us—a flawed individual trying to survive and find his path. His success, like that of all great leaders, was shaped by those around him.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I intend for readers to draw parallels between their lives and the modern-day search for meaning and purpose. The lingering lesson is that knowledge and wisdom are two distinctly different things. Knowledge, when wielded without concern for implications, can be extremely dangerous.
This is a popular theme within the story of Oppenheimer: “I now become Death, the destroyer of worlds,” which is from the Gita, the ancient fifth-century Hindu scripture.
Yasotay represents all the known knowledge in the world and Genghis represents “us” applying said knowledge. Demonstrating how badly things can go wrong and how we can live to regret what we have built if done without intention.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am currently working on the second book of the War of Fear trilogy, Moan of the Mountain.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: All proceeds from the sale of the War of Fear trilogy will be donated to veteran organizations. I’ve been fortunate to have a successful career and the ability for this to be a passion project.
My goal is to maximize sales to make a significant impact and contribution to veteran organizations, as well as raise awareness of the resilience, bravery, and dedication shown by our nation's veterans.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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