The Marcos Money

Against a geopolitical backdrop of the Soviet buildup in Asia and potential loss of U.S. bases at Subic and Clark in the Philippines, this fiction-based-on-fact alternative end for the corrupt Marcoses and Philippine democracy pits Paul Steele, rogue American banker who decides to end the regime by stealing their money, against General Roman Menchaka, a closet leftist bent on sidelining Imelda to succeed old man Marcos. Steele and Menchaka also collide over an alluring woman and because the General uncovers Steele's plan for the Marcos money. As the Philippines edges toward political and financial disaster in 1983, Menchaka edges closer to power and moves in on the banker. Incredible action scenes: CIA car hurtling through Manila's Chinatown; plane downed by shoulder-held missiles; and the final moments of Ninoy Aquino at Manila's airport combine with electronic theft in a time when computers capable of such things are only in the hands of bankers. Told by Paul's twin brother who is drawn in after Paul goes missing in Manila, tension and suspense build as the scene for the theft is set in Reagan-era Washington, New York, Kashmir, Singapore, and locales across the Philippines. Steele weaves passion and compassion into colorful characters and glimpses of Philippine and other cultures as the tale races to a startling, explosive climax. "I LOVE this book!!! Unusual subject matter, memorable characters, exotic places, and fast pace. I enjoy thrillers, and this one goes to the top of my list." - Constanza Low, Pine Plains, NY "Compelling historical fiction that expertly captures the Philippines of 1983 with a mix of Robin Hood and power politics. A racy page turner." - Mark Johnson, San Diego, CA "Truth or fiction, this fast-paced tale pulls you in and won't let go. Riveting!" - Jane Gindin, Austin, TX "Every page ... a new country, another adventure, the next intrigue. You can't put it down." - Sara Sullivan, Boston, MA
About the Author: Over the last thirty-seven years, Danton Steele has been asked often why he enjoys living in the developing world. His response is always same. "Hell I grew up in the 50s and 60s in a developing country - the State of Louisiana." Then Louisiana was known as much for its corrupt politicians as it was for its food and its music. Steele, a pen name, began his international career in the Peace Corps in Botswana in 1973. He was thirty-five and on a five-year assignment in the Philippines for a major American bank when he wrote The Marcos Money in the early-80s. He experienced most of the scenes and situations portrayed in the book, including devaluation, debt rescheduling, and mayhem following the murder of Ninoy Aquino. He knew most of the characters in the book though most of the names have been changed and many of the roles inter-changed. His central plot, though tempting and laudable, is pure fiction. Following the Philippines, Danton lived in Sri Lanka, South Africa, Hawaii, The Gambia, Jamaica, and Jordan implementing international development projects of various kinds. He traveled more than forty times to Kashmir, and he always stayed with Gulam's family on the New Golden Fleece. In Jordan he converted the book into a screenplay entitled "The Marcos Money", and he penned a screenplay entitled "The Red-Dead", another fast-paced thriller of love, honor killing, and geologic upheaval of epic proportions. He currently lives in Pakistan where he is working on a third screenplay entitled "Osama's Head".