At the height of the Cold War, Roy Chisolm arrives at the edge of the free world. 

An idealist in less-than-ideal times, Chisolm’s military orders have taken him to the Bunker, an underground fortress in West Germany where intelligence and war footing operations convene. Within the impenetrable concrete walls, he finds a complete lack of military protocol, a total disregard for the stakes of the game, and a life of soul-crushing absurdity. 

Under constant threat of Russian annihilation, those assigned to the Bunker grapple with the inescapable futility of their posting. Chisolm struggles to maintain his moral compass in the face of disturbing apathy and chaos. But even as he plots his escape, he begins to form enigmatic bonds with his fellow warriors—and a romance outside the Bunker walls—unearthing a new understanding of trust, conviction, and love. 

Inspired by true events, Bunker Mentality is Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 meets David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs, exploring the meaning of war, morality, madness, honor, and courage in a world of utter insanity. 

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Reviews

  • “A playful, vividly written novel that blends two flavors of existential dread: go-nowhere hours with colleagues in a depressing office and waiting for the bombs to drop in the Cold War 1980s. A compelling read for those interested in the complex interplay of personal and national identity during a pivotal moment in history—and an incisive, surprising novel of the Cold War as office comedy.”

    BookLife Reviews (editor’s pick)

  • “Razor-sharp.”

    Clarion Foreword Reviews

  • “Any reader interested in a fictional pursuit of the atmosphere and challenges of the Cold War era needs to take a look at it through protagonist Roy’s eyes and experiences in Bunker Mentality . . . highly recommended to book clubs interested in novels well steeped in thought-provoking moments that hold relevance to modern-day conundrums and considerations.”

    D. Donovan, senior reviewer, Midwest Book Review

  • “Paul fuses the dark satire of Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 with the absurdist flair of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. The result will please readers who appreciate dark humor, especially those interested in modern military history and culture.”

    BlueInk Review