Lisle Man’s First Novel Inspired by His 9/11 Detainment

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001, Lisle residents George and Barbara Banas found themselves detainees of the Moroccan government for two weeks, a scenario that would later inspire George Banas’ debut novel, the Suburban Life reports.

According to the paper, Banas, 72, put a fictional character in his place and used his experience as a jumping-off point for Terrorists and the Terchova Treasure—In My Brother’s Place, first published in 2010 and recently republished in a Kindle edition; the author donates $1 of every sale to the American Legion’s efforts to help veterans. 

“People can read it as a sort of a thriller just looking at the action, they can look at it as a historical novel, or they can look at it on a wider scope—with geopolitical or sociopolitical implications,” Banas told the paper.

“Prior to the attacks, it seems that part of the American psyche was very naïve… I think what’s happening now—certainly we’re weary about Afghanistan and Iraq, and we’d very much like to pull back and take care of our own business and be isolated. And I don’t think the world is going to let us do that.”

The book was named an honorable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival and has been the subject of a group book discussion at Benedictine University.

“In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, Joe Legion fights to protect his U.S. family and European relatives from a yet unknown enemy and from former friends who appear to have changed allegiances,” the book’s Amazon.com description reads in part.

“Joe enlists the aid of friends and family members he had previously organized to hunt for the legendary treasure of Juraj Janosik, the early 18th century Robin Hood and national hero of Slovakia.” 

Read the full story at the Suburban Life website.