THE EMPEROR AND THE SPY
Teresa Brady, her father was a Purple Heart recipient in World War II
“The book is a page turner, one of those genuinely “hard to put down” novels fraught with a variety of colorful, interesting, and very informative stories weaving the protagonist’s life with historical fact — a mixture of suspense, horror, humor, and romance. The historical content renders this work far more than just a fascinating read – Its life will likely be long and varied from best seller to movie or made-for-television drama to incorporation into academia and quite possibly private and government intelligence training…The cast of illustrious characters provides insight into the personalities of leaders, celebrities, even athletes who have significantly influenced our country’s history and world affairs.”
Pam Kragen, SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
“Novelist brings spy out of the shadows.
Best wishes on the next book and future movie!!”
Kazuo Kodama, Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations.
“I am very pleased to learn that you have now published ”The Emperor and the Spy”…‘’I have learned a lot about Colonel Mashbir and his real friendship with Prince Iesato Tokugawa which was a pleasant surprise for me. Your stories about Japanese-American Military Intelligence Service have also done a great justice to so many unsung heroes.”
Marine Captain William Warren, and his father, Marine Colonel Robert F. Warren, were personal friends of Colonel Sidney Mashbir.
Below is Captain Warren’s Review of “The Emperor and the Spy”
THE EMPEROR AND THE SPY
A true story of intrigue, history and a little known American hero.
By Bill Warren on May 27, 2018
“I had the good fortune to have met Colonel Sidney Mashbir when I was a newly minted Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It was my distinct honor to have spent hours and hours with him over the years, visiting him both in his home in Laguna Beach, California and at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC where he enjoyed the status as a charter member. During those visits, Colonel Mashbir related hundreds of stories and showed me untold number of documents and I think I spent hundreds of hours listening to him. I am not sure what cemented the relationship I had with this fascinating hero, but I treasured every moment and consider him to have been among my very best friends, mentor and teacher. I am both in awe of and pleased with Stan S. Katz who recognized a real hero of our country and that he undertook the mission to write this book. His research for The Emperor and the Spy, appears to be meticulous and he tells a story that NEEDS to be told. Not many would ever have guessed that Colonel Mashbir served with General Pershing in Mexico. Likewise, who would have believed that Colonel Mashbir would have become so endeared with, respected by and maintained a secret alliance with the royal family of Japan prior to World War II. The Colonel indeed had a special relationship with Prince Tokugawa, the Emperor Hirohito and their families. Through these relationships, Colonel Mashbir made a valiant attempt to avert WWII in the Pacific. That is just part of the story. The other part is the intelligence work performed for General Douglas MacArthur during the war that, without a doubt, shortened the war with Japan. Even after the war, Colonel Mashbir utilized his deep understanding of the Japanese and his friendship with many of its leaders to make major contributions to the peaceful occupation of Japan and without those efforts, the outcome of post-war Japan would have been a completely different country.
Stan Katz skillfully weaves this story into a very readable and exciting historical fictionalized novel. His facts, based on the stories told to me by Colonel Mashbir are genuine and because of the nature of Colonel’s work, are irrefutable. Stan easily stands with Bernard Cornwell, Jeff Sharra and Michael Sharra in his skill constructing a superb story around historical facts and with Brad Meltzer in his ability to develop historical characters while keeping the adventure exciting. If you like historical novels and want to learn about a real American hero, you will find it in this magnificent book.”
NBC-TV broadcast journalist Gene Cubbison said to the author after reading The Emperor and the Spy.
“James Patterson has nothing on Stan S. Katz.”
Lisa Wolff, past Managing Editor of Simon & Shuster
“A fascinating story . . . a fine book,”
J. L. RUTHENBERG, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Retired
“I realize how difficult it is to weave fact and fiction but you did a masterful job. I have often wondered about closing of WW II and how Japan got its new system of governance.”
Kirkus Reviews magazine highlighted novel as one of its top selections of the year.
“A penetrating spy story full of celebrities and unsung heroes.”
Jim Desmond, Mayor of San Marcos, California
“Just finished your book. Great read. Sidney Mashbir is a National hero.”
BARNES & NOBLE
Chose this novel to honor Veterans Day Weekend with a Book signing at their Oceanside, California Store.
SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL
Highlighted the book with a two page review, entitled ‘’The Antiquarian and the Creative Writing’’, written by Editor-in-Chief Natalie Jacobs.
OFFICE OF THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
On June 22nd, 2016 sent a delegation of history professors, diplomats, and military experts to America on a goodwill/educational tour. They held panel discussions on the rise of international tensions in the Southeast Asian Pacific region, issues involved and possible solutions. They also focused on the historical path that led to Japan entering World War Two . . . The Emperor and the Spy and its illustrated website honors Japanese leaders who attempted to prevent WWII. It is hoped this new awareness will reduce tensions in that region of the world. The author was invited to do a book signing at this event. An inscribed copy of the novel was gifted to the visiting Japanese to present to their Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon their return to Japan…This conference was held on the campus of the University of San Diego at the Joan Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice.
Dave Edick Jr., President of the San Diego World Affairs Council organization and Head of the San Diego International Sister Cities Association
“My mother is a history expert. She taught history to high schoolers. She read your book in a day over the weekend and is now rereading it. These are her comments:
It’s a fun read
page turner
shows tremendous research and work
historical novels don’t get better than that
intelligently written book
informative, conversations enlightening
she learned a lot…
In sum, she says this is an outstanding book. Congratulations!”
George Eckel, Principal writer for Intuit Corp and a novelist.
“A remarkable work of historical fiction… I couldn’t imagine why I hadn’t learned about Mashbir in my history classes. Here is a virtually unknown man who valiantly tried to avert America’s war with Japan. Complementing the novel is a 300 page archive of historical documents, presented on TheEmperorAndTheSpy.com website. I found myself enjoying these historical archives after reading the book. If you’re a history buff, like real spy stories, or just want a great read, read this book.”
JAVA, the Japanese American Veterans Association
Highlighted the novel and its illustrated website, in their quarterly newsletter.
Thornton Sully, Editor of A Word With You Press
“This is a terrific read. Congratulations!”
Yoshi Minegishi, a founder and past-chair of Seattle’s Celebrate Asia organization. He has also been on the executive board of the Japan-America Society and the Seattle Symphony.
“I finished reading the whole book. You did well. I enjoyed it. Too bad Colonel Mashbir did not get the final promotion, but I hope someone will work on the posthumous recognition, like the people who worked under him. I thought your Epilogue was very appropriate. Life is not fair, but America somehow catches up belatedly for the people who helped the country…My best wishes for your book’s success.”
Professor Claire Langham, President of the San Diego Chapter of the East West Center, an organization supportive of good will between the Pacific region nations.
“Words are inadequate to express my appreciation and awe . . . The importance of preventing war through personal relationships is rarely given recognition in literature. It can be every bit as exciting as glorified accounts of war and certainly a better approach.”
The City Library of Carlsbad, California
Highlighted ‘The Emperor and the Spy,’ as their selection of the month, with a Presentation and book signing.
Rita Lim Wilby, member of Rotary Chapter of La Jolla, CA.
“The book is fast-paced yet thoroughly researched. I compare the depth and factual detail of Katz’s writing with those of Wilbur Smith and Dick Francis. You’ll appreciate the weaving of concurrent events, and the nuances only an expert in the field can convey. Like Frederick Forsyth’s books, the international intrigue with imminent national security threats keep one in suspense . . . Katz’s narrative subtly demonstrates the pivot points around which the arc of history may have been so very different… It’s deliciously epic.“
Hilliard Harper, Retired Naval Reserve Commander and former Writer for the Los Angeles Times.
“The Emperor and the Spy…I couldn’t put it down.”
Ryan Hart a San Diego High School History Teacher who has lived in Japan
“What a fantastic story! Individuals such as Mashbir are certainly rare, and I wish the world had more people like him.”