Political novels are full of pitfalls, particularly for a novelist with strong political leanings.

In the Marine Corps, you meet this really broad segment of the country; you're working with people from all kinds of backgrounds. And it exposes you to the American military, particularly the American military at war.

Oftentimes, discussion of war gets flattened to a discussion of trauma.

One thing I've always liked about the military is there's a certain amount of pragmatism.

I was a public affairs officer. I worked with the media, but I didn't just stay at my desk. I assisted in military duties, travelled around Anbar province, hung out with a wide variety of Marines.

I doubt there's anything you could say to Donald Rumsfeld that would puncture the armor of his narcissism.