The Battle

By: Gary Naiman

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

It is July, 1939 ⸺ a Nazi aircraft carrying 25 lead canisters and 12 Japanese imperial marines has crashed on a Far Eastern mountain, its wreckage scattered on a 23,000 foot ridge. With the world at the brink of war, four strangers are drawn to that mountain by interwoven events. Roberto Hidalgo flees his nation's civil war. Karak Drasi scours the Himalaya for his sister's murderers. Karen Halberton tracks the secret document that killed her journalist husband. Julian Bonaventure craves a final shot at the peak that claimed his comrades. Driven by their bitter pasts, they converge on India's Mt. Kanchenjunga, unaware that two flights of Japanese imperial marines are closing from the east with orders to retrieve the crashed plane's cargo at all costs for it will determine the victor of a war not yet started.

Author's note: Book 1, The Warriors, should be read first for maximum impact.

Gary Naiman has written seventeen novels. One of his books is being considered for a motion picture.

Amazon Reviews:
A gripping historical thriller. Set in the tense atmosphere of July 1939, with the world teetering on the precipice of war, the story unfolds around a compelling mystery: a downed Nazi plane carrying a cryptic cargo of lead canisters and Japanese marines, crashes high in the Himalayas. The author masterfully weaves together the narratives of four disparate individuals, each driven by their own personal demons and drawn to the crash site by a tangled web of circumstances. The tension is amplified by the relentless pursuit of two flights of Japanese marines, determined to recover the plane's cargo at any cost. The intriguing premise, the diverse cast of characters, and the high-stakes pursuit of the crashed plane's cargo all contribute to a compelling narrative. (Bettina B. Germany 7/2025)

“A gripping historical thriller that blends adventure, romance, and wartime intrigue. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II, the story follows four characters on a dangerous mission to reach a crashed Nazi plane, unaware of its deadly cargo. The two-book novel's vivid descriptions of Spain’s civil war, America’s Great Depression, and the mysticism of the Far East add layers of depth to the storyline. The intense action and historical accuracy kept me hooked till the second book’s explosive conclusion. (Trischel 10/24)

"The first chapter which takes place in a Japanese warplane over Tibet is outstanding. It grabs the reader and doesn't let go. Excellent writing. The story line of each character is brilliantly constructed as the two-book novel is brought to an explosive conclusion. If you enjoy historical thrillers, we recommend this effort. (M&D)

“A powerful story of love and war. Actually, it's four intertwined stories of four tormented strangers and their confrontation with an evil force atop a 23,000 foot ridge in the Himalaya. Extensive research went into this 1930's pre-war novel. I was taken by the detailed, living backdrop of Spain's civil war, America's great depression, and the mystic Far East.” (GK)

“I loved this two-book novel for its historical scenes, believable characters, and intriguing plot. I was surprised at the romance interspersed throughout the story. In many ways, it's more a romantic-spiritual adventure than a novel about war.” (LoMo)

“This two-book novel has in depth characters and sub plots that take many twists. An exciting read as it describes the reality of secret covert missions in world war 2. Definitely worth a read for historical reasons and for a story that will keep you guessing the coming together of the sub plots.” (AS…Australia)