Martyn Burke's newest book from Tyrus/Simon and Schuster, MUSIC FOR LOVE OR WAR, is his sixth published novel and has been praised by Carl Hiaasen with, "Few writers can take you from the hills of Afghanistan to the gates of the Playboy Mansion, and make you believe every crazy word. Martyn Burke is slash-and-burn funny, but also unexpectedly touching and wise. Martyn works in a multitude of worlds, each of which somehow end up as raw material for in his novels that often blend drama, comedy—and frequently absurdity. His documentary, THE KGB CONNECTIONS, resulted in his later novel, THE COMMISSAR'S REPORT, a satirical story about Soviet and United States relations during the Cold War. Producing and directing a segment for CBS's "West 57th" about early black R and B legends Ruth Brown and Bo Diddley being cheated out of record royalties, led to his novel IVORY JOE, the story of a 1950's family being caught up in the turmoil of the music industry at the dawn of Rock and Roll and first stirrings of the civil rights movement in the segregated American South. He has published six highly acclaimed novels including those which gained him nominations for Best First Novel, LAUGHING WAR, and winning the International Press Academy's Auteur Award. His other work on documentaries and feature film has recently earned him a Peabody Award and Emmy nominations, as well as Directors Guild and Writers Guild awards. His award winning TV and theatrical documentaries, including the Academy Award-short-listed Under Fire: Journalists in Combat, range from traveling carnivals to terrorism.