Coming August 25, 2026
I’m a journalist drawn to World War II stories about resistance and intergenerational connection.
When I learned that my grandfather—a Jewish-American pilot shot down over France before D-Day—was rescued by legendary OSS Marine Col. Peter Ortiz, I teamed up with historian Nicholas Reynolds (ret. USMC colonel & bestselling author of Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy) to chronicle the story of our shared hero.
Ortiz’s War is available for pre-order here—or wherever you get your books:
“A fascinating daredevil parachuting into Nazi-occupied France, saving Allied airmen, evading the Gestapo, surviving horrific imprisonment. A tender, beautifully told story that reminds us of Americans at their best."
— Alex Kershaw, bestselling author of The Liberator & Bedford Boys
“Ortiz’s War reads like a Bond novel—yet it is rooted in declassified OSS records and meticulous research… A page-turner and an essential, long-overdue tribute to a true legend."
— Patrick O’Donnell, bestselling author of The Unvanquished and Revolutionary Snipers; a director & historian of the OSS Society
Upcoming Events
Washington DC w/ Nick:
Politics and Prose (Connecticut Ave)
Wednesday, August 19 @7pm
Register here
San Francisco w/ Katie:
Commonwealth Club
Tuesday October 20 @5:30pm
NYC w/ Katie & Nick:
McNally Jackson Seaport
Thursday, August 27 @7pm
South Kingston, RI w/ Katie:
International Museum of World War II / WWII Foundation
Wednesday, October 7 @6pm
Philadelphia w/ Katie:
University of Pennsylvania’s Kelly Writers House
Wednesday, September 16
New Orleans w/ Katie & Nick:
Want to connect about an Ortiz’s War talk, bulk buy, book club, or event in your area? Please write to ortizswarauthors@gmail.com.
National WWII Museum
Friday, November 20
*Event limited to ticketed attendees of the annual Int’l Conference on WWII (details here)
“The almost unbelievable—but entirely true—story of one of America’s most renowned warriors. Deeply researched and deftly written, Ortiz’s War is a rousing tale of courage, tenacity and heroism.”
— Stephen Harding, bestselling author of The Last Battle & G.I. G-Men
“A riveting, timely tribute to an American hero—the kind of man who answers the call and goes into harm’s way without hesitation.”
—Kevin Maurer, bestselling author of No Easy Day, American Radical, and Damn Lucky
