Gideon: The Sound and The Glory received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Joseph Ganci.
Gideon: The Sound and The Glory, published January 6, 2017.
What’s the book’s first line?
Barak rolled out of his red ceremonial cloak that doubled as a bedroll.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch.”
Unsung heroes and murderous villains, hidden forever in ancient shadows, now leap to life – blazing onto the pages of revelation.
The Canaanite age of iron finds a simple woodsman lost in the forest of fear and doubt; challenging Ba’al, the Amorite god, to rescue his one true love, and grows into a mighty man of valor conquering the Midian Empire.
Gideon, a lowly woodcutter, is blessed by an angel to be the savior of all Israel. He does not know why or how and shrinks from this dangerous mission. The commandment to conquer the Midian Empire as one man seems all but impossible. But Gideon’s confidence grows as God guides his every step until he stands fearless and faithfully fulfills his destiny as, “A mighty man of valor.”
The fierce warriors, burning towers and devastated cities contained in Gideon’s Journey, are but silver threads that weave into a sweeping tapestry of ancient intrigue. Running through and stitching together the entire saga is The Lord of the Covenant, or The Baal-Berith, also known as Gideon’s mysterious Ephod of Gold.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was reading my regular fare of Bible study when a phrase popped off the page ‘ Take them to the waters, even the Beth -barah.’ It intrigued me, and I then started digging down, and I found out it meant the only crossing place of the entire Jordan River, and that instruction was intended to create a two-pronged attack to surprise and subdue the entire Midian empire.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
First for its entertainment and historical value. Secondly for personal insights into the theme of a figure denying God or fate that chose him or her for greatness, and would rather sit out their destiny because of inherent insecurities and rooted disbelief in their talents and abilities. God might very well select them because of their weakness no matter what their current station or circumstance.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional would you say the character reminds you of?
Self-Deprecating, self-conscious, shy, weak-willed, and painfully unassuming. For the most part that sounds a lot like me, least some of the time. From Spartacus to George Washington to the cinema image of Humphrey Bogart, and Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rocky’ The Bible is replete with such characters. Saul did not want the mantle of the king and in the end, could not part with the power or the illusion of control. There was the ancient prophet Isaiah that often cursed like a sailor.Many had their seasoned excuses when asked to step up and step out of their comfort zone.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Taylor Kitsch for Gideon, but when they do make the film, I will have little or no mention.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I have written for many years but never published. I decided to discipline myself because I did not want to depart this life with the music and passion still locked inside of me.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Poetry came to me serendipitously about forty years ago. I could rhyme in iambic pentameter like riding a bicycle. I think because being stuck in a mind-numbing job my brain found a way to make its escape. I also write to an addiction recovery website rumradio.org.The website has gone all over the world, and I cheerfully do the work to be of maximum service to God and my fellow beings. The time and the talent to do my novel became available. I believe because the laborer is worthy of his hire.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
At present, I am mostly tied up with trying to get my book marketed. That is why the majority of writers refuse to engage in the commerce of book selling. But soon I have stalled off traveling and will be off.
How much time do you spend on your writing?
Four hours a day writing and six hours thinking how I could have made it better.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Like most things in life getting started. Like my character, general Barak who sees the end when starting from the beginning. Persistence remains the greatest force in the universe.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Probably, so I would to relieve me of the marketing details and put into the hands of a professional then I could write without distractions and interruptions.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
Being of maximum service to God and my fellows. This book was a gift to God. The hope is that besides entertaining it would make people curious about what is in the Bible. I am hoping for a higher platform to help promote my addiction recovery site to a larger audience. I would not dismiss fame, fortune, and more Sex.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Herman Melville, Tolkien, CS. Lewis, Ray Bradberry, Ian Flemming, Poe.