ReadersMagnet Review: How Fiction Impacts Fighting Back Against Terrorism

Good fiction gives us entertainment. Great fiction inspires us in real life. ReadersMagnet takes a look at how Paul Shemella’s fiction trilogy Jungle Rules contribute to fighting back against terrorism in real life.

From John le Carré’s Tailor Tinker Soldier Spy to Tom Clancy’s The Sum of All Fear, fiction-thriller books about government spies and terrorists have always been inspired by real events or by its author’s real-life experience or knowledge. David John Moore Cornwell, popularly known by his pen name John le Carré, used to work as an interrogator for the Intelligence Corps of the British Army before joining the British Security Service MI5, and later as an undercover with the MI6.

Although not a spy or military men, Tom Clancy’s vast knowledge on technical accuracy, military, and political discourse have helped him write his best-sellers. Years after his death, his military thrillers, and the views they represent still influence the military in areas such as training and weapons technology.

In fact, these two authors, along with Robert Ludlum and of course, the real-life secret agent Ian Fleming continuously impact the real world with their best-sellers.

Jungle Rules: Fiction Imitates Life

Paul Shemella is among the new generation of published authors whose works of fiction thrillers reflect significant issues such as political crimes, drug war, and fighting back against terrorism. In his first book, Jungle Rules Paul tackles the issue of drug cartels and America’s continuing the war on drugs. It also touches on the sensitive topic of mercenaries, covert ops, and government cover-ups. His second book draws readers to issues closer to home. The issue of domestic terrorism, hate crimes, and neo-nazi movement form the central theme in the book A More Perfect Union.

Just like Fleming and le Carré, Shemella has a rich background in military service. His knowledge of terrorism and counter-terrorism prove useful in writing these novels. The scenes and plots we read on the Jungle Rules trilogy, while fiction, reflect certain realities.

Fighting Back Terrorism in Real Life

While author Paul Shemella notes that his works of fiction can teach a lesson or two on how to combat terrorist threats, he emphasizes that governments should be the ones to craft sound and timely responses towards threats to national security. In one of his blog articles, Shemella shares his advice based on his knowledge as a lecturer of counter-terrorism and his career as a Navy SEAL with experience in planning and conducting special operations in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Below are the “precepts” that governments should use to guide their responses to terrorist threats.

1. Develop a set of strategies for offense, defense, and prevention. The most important of these should be prevention.
2. Prepare to use coercive force. This is not normally the first response, but it must be part of the package.  Law enforcement and military forces that have the capacity to respond effectively can have a deterrent effect as well.
3. Build consensus all around. We must fight the terrorists, not each other.
4. Hold the moral high ground. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.  Terrorists want us to be just like them.  Don’t fall into that trap.
5. Strengthen social cohesion. All human beings wish to belong to something larger than themselves.  We must channel that desire into productive group participation, making the nation-state the ultimate group to be proud of.
6. Build the institutional capacity needed to function quickly and effectively. This means adequate funds, training, equipment, and coordination with the rest of the government.  Individuals cannot beat terrorism; only high-capacity institutions can win this fight.
7. Improve all border security. There are many borders beyond the physical realm—airports, seaports, aero-space, maritime spaces, and cyberspace.
8. Educate everyone. Citizenship comes with responsibilities.  Public education inculcates those attitudes and actions all citizens must adopt in order to help their governments win the fight.
9. Control the narrative. Successful terrorism relies on clever messaging.  Governments must have better messages than the thugs who threaten them.
10. Govern well. Terrorists wish to portray governments as corrupt and dysfunctional.  Many governments help them do just that.  The better a country is governed, the more prepared it is to prevent, defend, and respond.

What makes these “precepts” interesting aside from their relevance, is the fact that some, if not most of these are reflected in Paul Shemella’s thriller trilogy.

In his books, The Jungle Rules and A More Perfect Union, we witness scenarios where these said precepts come into play. In book 1, the use of coercive force against the drug cartel as well as the portrayal of high-capacity institutions at the frontline in the fight against security threats.

In the second book, Paul takes us to a ‘clear and present danger’ with the protagonist dealing with domestic terrorism. Here, almost all precepts above are being displayed and readers can appreciate what Paul is trying to say: there is nothing that should unite American people more effectively than a clear and common enemy in a Neo-Nazi terrorist cell.

Shemella: Inspiring Future Heroes

Paul Shemella’s The Jungle Rules trilogy is no doubt a thrilling read. The first two books promise to be action-packed. However, what Shemella offers other than the narrative of heroes is education. By tackling issues that reflect reality such as national security, nationalism, and love of country, Jungle Rules trilogy inspires future patriots and heroes who are not only conscious readers but individuals that value tolerance, vigilance, and preservation of human life. His fiction books are set to display values that prove useful in real, everyday life. This makes Paul Shemella novels and blog articles worth reading.