Press Release Summary = An Iraq War interrogator becomes an award winning author
with his recently published book Saving Babylon
Press Release Body = Most people don’t expect to find the words “army interrogator,”
“award-winning author” and “humanitarian” in the same sentence. People are even more
surprised to find that those terms are being used to describe one person. But Paul
Holton has never been conventional.
During his 35 years in the Army National Guard, Holton has been a Korean linguist
and an interrogator in both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq,
he was responsible for interrogating 17 Iraqi generals who surrendered on the first
day of the war. He then moved to Baghdad where he worked with Iraqi sources in
uprooting terrorists, weapons dealers and counterfeiters.
Holton’s experience in Iraq is told in his book Saving Babylon: The Heart of an Army
Interrogator in Iraq. In the book, he provides a refreshing look at the war and the
people who served there. He describes interrogation tactics based more in kindness
and trust rather than in torture and toughness.
Holton describes his deployment as “magical.” In the midst of the war he was able to
find a “spiritual oasis.” He found a purpose much higher than just conducting the
war. He tried to make a difference in the lives of those he met at all levels of
Iraqi society.
Saving Babylon (www.savingbabylon.com) is quickly becoming a favorite read, not just
among traditional military readers, but also with women and military families who
find a heartwarming story showing the compassion of America’s citizen soldiers.
The Military Writers Society of American recently awarded Saving Babylon the 2005
Reader’s Choice Award for Non-Fiction. In presenting the award, they noted, “there
are very few books that capture the whole essence of the war going on in Iraq—with
all the tribal, religious, historical and cultural divisions that plague the
country. Saving Babylon will not only open your eyes and your mind but it will also
open your heart.”
In addition to the book award, the Society recognized Holton with their Humanitarian
Award for 2005. Holton’s efforts with Operation Give also earned him the FedEx
Employee Humanitarian of the Year award.
His concern for the Iraqi people, and particularly the children of Iraq, led him to
create Operation Give (www.operationgive.org), a humanitarian organization which
delivers toys, school supplies and medical assistance to the children and families
of Iraq and other areas of the world devastated by war or natural disaster.
But Holton is taking all the accolades in stride. He has been able to provide relief
and supplies for evacuees of hurricane Katrina. “At Operation Give we believe in
miracles” Holton said. “Whenever there is a need, we see an incredible outpouring of
support.”
Web Site = http://www.att.net
Contact Details = Gregory Witt
3641 Little Rock Dr.
Provo, UT 84604
801-226-9026
gwitt@att.net
2022
