Mysteries of Bowie and Other Oddities explores the ever-present tension between freedom and oppression and the desire to build a functional, sustainable world.

INSIDE ORWELL

George Orwell was a person of the Left, dedicated to fighting Communism, Fascism, imperialism, racism, and classism. This is the story of how Orwell became Orwell.

BOWIE AND THE BERLIN WALL

David Bowie's connection to the Cold War and Berlin goes deeper than the legendary concert he played at the Wall or even the fact that his song "Heroes" was the anthem of divided Berlin. Bowie and the Berlin Wall takes a fresh look at Bowie's impact on Berlin and the fall of the Wall.

THE MYSTERIES OF GAME THEORY

This mystery pits the Western need for freedom and transparency against a shadowy dictatorship that emerges post-pandemic. After two years in quarantine, James discovers it's a zero-sum game when he must choose between his mysterious new love and his sister, who disappeared during the chaos before the lockdown that threatened to separate them forever.

VENICE TO VENICE

Brian's opposition to the Iraq war ended his CIA career, but eleven years later he finds himself on the front lines of a new conflict, whose sourceis jarringly familiar. Venice to Venice captures the consequences of the rush to war as dark forces converge on the two Venice's to destroy what they represent.

THE GEORGES

A white man experiences an all-encompassing rage after the murder of Trayvon Martin. His internal life is a powder keg, and his anger spills over to all the lies told about the Iraq War by the news media. He channels George Orwell in a search for understanding, as he draws sharp contrasts between George Zimmerman, George W. Bush, and George Orwell.

Joseph Raffetto earned a BA in comparative literature at San Diego State University and is the author of Kristin B. and Other Stories. He lives in Santa Barbara.