ABOUT THE BOOK

Zephyr’s War is a gripping tale of ambition, temptation, and the precarious nature of wealth’s pursuit. 

Growing up in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Zep Zephyr dedicated his young life to growing sunflowers on his family’s farm. However, tragedy struck when the Chernobyl disaster took the lives of most of his family and turned their once fertile land into a barren wasteland. Determined to escape their grim reality, Zep and his brother Ziggy set out on a journey to start anew. Zep, hoping to uplift his brother’s spirits, painted a vivid picture of a luxurious life as champagne-drinking, cigar-smoking capitalists in America, a stark contrast to their upbringing in the Soviet Union.

Driven by this new and overwhelming desire to embrace capitalism, Zep and his brother make their way to New York City. Zep immerses himself in the world of finance and soon discovers the alluring promise of great fortunes: an initial public offering on Wall Street.

Brimming with ambition, Zep spares no effort in identifying vulnerable companies to conquer and mold into his entrepreneurial vision. Yet, his triumphs draw the attention of a sinister syndicate—the Russian mafia—who desire a slice of his success. 

To solidify his IPO’s legitimacy, Zep enlists the services of Crocker & Stackhouse, a consultancy renowned for their expertise in navigating Wall Street’s treacherous waters. Under the guidance of Steve Stackhouse, these corporate brands flourish, their presence on the market soaring to unprecedented heights. 

Meanwhile, the Securities Exchange Commission and the FBI have launched a relentless investigation into the surging criminal underworld seeking to infiltrate Wall Street’s impregnable fortress. Time becomes the enemy as the clock ticks ominously, propelling Zep and Steve into a high-stakes battle for their reputations, their futures, and their very lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hailing from Bradenton, Florida, Dr. James R. Gregory is an expert in corporate branding and its effect on Wall Street. The author of six influential business books, Zephyr’s War marks his debut novel.  Melding his real-life business background as the leader of an unconventional consultancy with the freedom the fiction genre affords, James is thrilled to present this fast-paced thriller which contains all the elements of business realism along with plenty of thrills to captivate and entertain. 

TALKING POINTS

• Zephyr’s War explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power, taking readers on a suspenseful journey through the underbelly of high finance. From his experience on Wall Street and in New York, James can discuss how much his story mirrors reality.
• Jim wrote Zephyr’s War before Russia invaded Ukraine. James can share his insights on the war as well as his experience teaching in Ukraine and observing first-hand their views of Russia.
• Once the Zephyr brothers arrived in America, they quickly bought and sold several companies. A critical, pivot point in the book is related to the offering price of the IPO. Based on his experience on Wall Street, James can discuss the reality of IPOs and whether or not it’s realistic to manage the stock price based on the brand.
• The main character, Zep Zephyr, begins working on his family farm before launching a career as a capitalist on Wall Street. Jim can discuss what motivates a person to leave behind their roots to pursue a new life.
• How and why Jim based some of his characters on real people and how those people feel about their portrayal in the book.

TIMELY TIE-INS

April

• National Month of Hope
• D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read) Month
• World Book Day – 23
• English Language Day – 23
• World Book and Copyright Day – 23
• Tell a Story Day – 27 

May

• Get Caught Reading Month
• Reading Is Fun Week – 6-12
• International Workers Day – 1

June

• World Productivity Day – 20
• National Capitalism Day – 2
• Day of Russia – 12
• Social Media Day – 30

July

• Cultivate Your Character Month
• Paperback Book Day – 30

August

• Book Lover’s Day – 9
• Independence Day of Ukraine – 24

September

• Read a Book Day – 6
• International Literacy Day – 8
• R.E.A.D. in America Day – 23
• Punctuation Day – 24