Overview

This book is an adventure story that takes place in Iraq in 1980. After the death of his mother, Tom O'Hara has no choice but to leave his Tampa school and friends and go with his father on a posting to Iraq. There, Tom meets his friend Mikhail and accompanies him and his family to the north for Easter.

Plot Details

As they travel, the possibility of war between Iran and Iraq grows so dangerous that John, Tom's father, comes north to get him so he can be evacuated back to the U.S. As he arrives, John is kidnapped by Iranian terrorists fleeing the country. Because the Iraqis are too busy preparing for war to look for John, Tom and Mikhail combine the "can do" of Americans to the "God willing" of the Iraqis to rescue Tom's father.

Characters and Themes

Along the way, they are aided by Alexander the Great and his friend Hephaestion, among many others, both living and time-traveling. The boys find commonality in their love of history and admiration for Alexander and their determination to bring Mr. O'Hara home. Kurdish fighters, ancient Yezidi beliefs, mystical women, and monks in caves add to the mosaic.