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SMB

About Me

I'm a writer and currently have two novels published. I’m on Myspace because I want to have contact with my readers. There’s nothing better for a writer than to get critiques from a wide variety of different people. I have posted the first 3 chapters of both my novels on my blog. If you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think. If you are interested in a signed copy that can easily be arranged.
I was an executive at a large HMO in California for 5 years. After that I was a consultant for a University Health System and a multi-national pharmaceutical conglomerate. I left southern California and the corporate world because I couldn’t stand the “institutional greed” and moved back to Tucson Arizona. I have worked for the University of Arizona, my alma mater for the last 11 years.
The health care system in this country is a national embarrassment! Greedy, immoral, corporate executives should not be allowed to make a fortune off of the medical needs and suffering of the American people. How can the richest and supposedly most powerful country in the world allow their own people to be at the mercy of “profit first” insurance and pharmaceutical companies? Why does our government fail so miserably at taking care of the less fortunate, those who need decent health care the most? It’s a crime!!!! I wrote “THE HMO, MURDER BY REFERRAL” to express my disgust with the system and the people who profit by it. Many of the stories in the book are things that actually happened to me while in the employ of an HMO.
Here’s a synopsis of "THE HMO, MURDER BY REFERRAL" I posted the first 3 chapters on my Blog.
Joe Brock is skeptical when he reads a tabloid report about a “Grim Reaper” methodically stalking and killing homeless people in San Francisco. When he witnesses a murder, he knows the reports are true. Who could possibly gain from such bizarre crimes? Joe convinces himself that it’s a coincidence that the HMO he works for is being bankrupted by the poor souls. Sure The HMO’s execs are an assortment of greedy, unethical corporate ne’er-do-wells, but MURDER??? After Joe becomes the prime suspect, is arrested for the crime, and someone tries to kill him; he has no choice but to help bring the killer to justice.
THE HMO, MURDER BY REFERRAL" can be ordered on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and many other places on-line. Search for ISBN 1933580305. If your local store does not have it in stock, they will order it for you, tell them ISBN 1933580305.
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW THE BOOK ON AMAZON.
My other book "3 WISE MEN" is a Political Thriller.
The first 3 chapters of "3 Wise Men" and a synopsis are posted on my Blog. Give it a try, you will like it!!
I have a degree in political science with a speciality in International Relations and am working on a masters in US history. I have a comprehensive knowledge of global politics and a solid grasp of history.
3 Wise Men is available on Amazon and B&N and many other fine book sellers. Search for ISBN 1933580054. If your local store does not have it in stock, they will order it for you, tell them ISBN 1933580054.
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW THE BOOK ON AMAZON.
What Myspace friends are saying about "3 Wise Men"
Conspiracy theorists unite! You have found your Rosetta stone.Stephen M. Buckler, in his exceedingly contemporary novel "3 Wise Men", has woven together the most notable conspiracies from the motivations behind the Soviet Union in Afghanistan to the attack on the Twin Towers. His story creates a modern era "Bayeux Tapestry" with the parts of William the Conqueror and Harold II portrayed by the lead character, Senator elect Jack Marshal and his collage partner, Terry Branch. With each plunge and rise of his literary needle he tells the story of how these two men and their rise and fall of fortune is commingled with events greater then even they understand at the time. Soon the reader is drawn to turn the page, unroll more of the images woven intricately together until they see before them the entirety of the world's plight; at least the Author's version of it.Stephen M. Buckler (SMB) has produced a work that was slow to capture my attentions but once the picture of his linking the characters to greater events was established it was hard to put down. The well versed manner in which he defines the causal inception, course and resultant outcome of each sub political plot makes even hardened non-believers take a moment and go..."Hmmmm." For my liking I would have wished for as much time and effort in a greater development of the characters. I was left with the feeling that the story was more important than the characters created to carry it to the reader. In the end I believe I have a greater understanding of the underlying villain, Hamdan, than of the Hero, Senator Jack Marshal."3 Wise Men" is a story that is taken from a merely entertaining read to a conversation topic at your next social gathering where you can drop the line "...You know, I just read something that offered me a whole new perspective on the world and the events in the Middle East..." Surly a sentence that will bend ears your way with the current heightened levels of unrest seen in today's headlines. If you look to add ammunition to your war chest of random conspiracy theories, this is your book. If you believe Jerry Falwell is the single hope of the world, spend the money on a new vinyl cover for your King James Bible and save yourself the assault on your perspective of the world. If you, like me, enjoy reading for the escape and entertainment of the mind, this will keep your interest. In the end, just remember, you found it in the Fiction Section.
Frighteningly Real! This has to be the best thriller I've read in a year, at least. It is spot-on in detail, and gave me chills more than once when I realised how close to reality this scenario places all of us. It's clear Buckler knows whereof he speaks. Are there more coming? I sincerely hope so, and soon.
Stephen, I was awestruck by the book. Here's the review I wrote on amazon and sent out to some book groups....
IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE BOOK THIS YEAR, BUY THIS ONE! As the title above says, this book should be read by everyone. It's gripping from page 1 to the final page, and at times I actually found myself holding my breath. I'm so impressed by it that I created a page on my personal website for it. Stephen M Buckler (SMB) is a master of the art of suspense, and I sincerely hope that this book will be made into a film. An e-group has been set up for discussions about "3 Wise Men" at MySpace, and I'm sure that SMB will soon be given a place 'up there' with the likes of authors such as Dan Brown.

My Interests

Writing, reading, classic rock and roll, traveling, history, cars, college basketball and restoring my 1974 VW

I'd like to meet:

Bob Dylan and Hunter S. Thompson, but he's dead, so long old buddy!Would also like to meet the Dali Lama

Music:

I love classic rock and roll. It reminds me of my youth and that was too good to forget ;-) I want to teach a college class in classic rock! Also like classical, but give me Bruce or Hendrix or the Beatles and I'm happy. Love old Buffalo Springfield and Blues like John Mayall or Paul Butterfield.Steely Dan,Fleetwood Mac,Eagles,Doobies,ERIC Clapton Slow Hand,Have to admit a fondness for Sheryl Crow as well, hey I'm only human and when I saw her last year she could rock with the best of them ;-)

Movies:

Doctor Strangelove, The Producers (the original with LSD ;-), Field of Dreams, Pulp Fiction, The Great Race, It's a mad mad mad mad world, Godfather(s), Casino, Goodfellas, Just about all mob movies, Ghost, Fargo, Being John Malovich, Crash, Usual Suspects, The Royal Tenenbaums, Almost Famous, Being There, Apocalypse Now

Television:

I like to watch college basketball, and for 5 months a year that's about all I watch. I also seem to be tuned into the History Channel a lot!! I watch the Daily Show pretty relgularly and then inane sit coms like the Simpsons and Family Guy, Go figure?

Books:

Love to read and write. Besides myself my favorite writer is Tom Robbins!!! I also have been reading Vonnegut for 35 years. I will always admire Tom Wolfe for the "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" and Joseph Heller for Catch 22. Some of my favorites have left us like, Douglas Adams, Ken Kesey (and the Pranksters, Hunter S and now Kurt, I miss their voices!! Anyone who has a real interest in American History and can deal with the fact that all that crap they taught you in high school is a bunch of Hero worshiping, never started a war, holier than thou garbage should read Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States". I couldn't have written it better myself! I read a lot of history written by academics. Some of them do know how to write (Howard Zinn is a great example), if you can get through their desire to impress their peers with their grasp of the English language ;-)

Heroes:

I'm too old to have heros, but if I did they would all be dead like Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin and Hunter S. Thompson. When I was a kid my hero was Arlo Guthrie.

My Blog

John McCain, War Hero???????

John McCain War Hero????????????????????..: Would someone explain to me why John McCain (and apparently a bunch of others without brains) thinks he's a war hero? Flying miles above innocent women an...
Posted by SMB on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:54:00 PST

First 3 Chapters of my novel

3 Wise Men By:    Stephen M. Buckler Part I Chapter 1 December 21, ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />6:00 PM EST   &nbs...
Posted by SMB on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:02:00 PST

First 3 Chapters of THE HMO, MURDER BY REFERRAL

  THE HMO, MURDER BY REFERRAL     By Stephen M. Buckler   The HMO, Murder By Referral   Copyright ©  Stephen M. Buckler All rights reserved.       Printed ...
Posted by SMB on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:43:00 PST