Martyn Burke works in a multitude of worlds, moving between novels, films, and documentaries. He has published six highly acclaimed novels, has recently won the Peabody Award the International Press Academy Auteur Award, and has been nominated for Emmys, Directors Guild, and Writers Guild awards for his feature and television films. He has made award winning television and theatrical documentaries including the Academy Award-short listed Under Fire: Journalists in Combat, and on other topics ranging from traveling carnivals to terrorism.
MUSIC FOR LOVE OR WAR
“Music for Love or War is slash-and-burn funny, but also unexpectedly touching and wise. Few writers can take you in one breath from the hills of Afghanistan to the gates of the Playboy mansion, and make you believe every crazy word. Martyn Burke has that special talent.”

—Carl Hiaasen, New York Times best selling author of "Razor Girl", Bad Monkey and many others."

“It’s a whirlwind story, equally hilarious and heartbreaking, about the various kinds of love and war — and quite unlike any novel you’re likely to read.”

—Alan Cranis, "Bookgasm"

Two young soldiers come to Hollywood to find the psychic, whose online predictions have been guiding the tactics of their entire battalion in the war in Afghanistan. Both of them went to war to find love --one to find the woman he lost; and the other to reclaim what was left of the memories of the woman he left behind.

One of them is inundated by packages from his mother back home, who includes tapes of Liberace's piano music. They discover that sending Liberace's music echoing through the Afghan mountain passes will infuriate and torment the Taliban.

And, in very different ways, each finds the woman he had loved, and lost.

“Burke has written a beautiful, gripping, and timely story of love, friendship, and war. This is stunning storytelling that will make your heart race, break, then soar.”

—Terry Fallis, author of The Best Laid Plans


“Gripping, hilarious, otherworldly, brutal, heartbreaking. A transcendental tale of love and hope for a post-911 world.”

—Jon Steele, author of The Angelus trilogy


“Burke finds enduring love amid Afghanistan’s endless war and a magical story emerges from the ashes.”

—Paul Watson, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Where War Lives


“A glorious globetrotting epic spanning class, race, and ethi¬cal borders. Burke’s personal history as a Hollywood filmmaker and combat-zone documentarian makes this book seem less written than lived—it is filled with the crystalline details and hard-earned truths that can only be gained through on-the-ground experience. Burke is a marvel. Read this book.”

—Craig Davidson, author of Giller nominated Cataract City


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Music for Love or War