YUMA, AZ (AP) -
A Yuma author wants to inspire his readers to look at the world through a new pair of lenses.
Austin German, 21, enjoys writing controversial tales that warn of government conspiracies to grasp total control of the citizenry in order to secure its power in the future.
"I have been like this for about seven years, and I am going to be like this for the rest of my life, trying to advocate what I believe - hoping people see the truth behind things," German said. "A lot of times here in America we are conditioned to think certain ways."
So far he has written three books that have been published, including the novel "The Surrounding," a compilation of poetry titled "A Walk Through Time" and his latest novel, "Perilous Nation."
The art for his books was created by Steven Salazar and is a "cross between Dr. Seuss and some morbid thoughts," German said.
The books are available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and at The Lighthouse Coffee Bar and Bistro, 330 Main St.
German, who graduated from Cibola High School in 2009, has been writing since he was a child. He began his first book, "The Surrounding," when he was in high school. The book is about alien vegetation from outer space that takes over Earth.
"It was really cool, and I loved what I wrote, but I was only 16 and 17," he said, noting there are revisions he would like to make in the future.
German says he is inspired by the writings of Stephen King and George Orwell. He also enjoys "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" and regularly skateboards.
He has a firm anti-establishment belief and was interviewed while wearing an "Anti-Flag" shirt. The punk band known for its political views that focus on anti-war activism, imperialism, class struggle, human rights and various sociopolitical ideals is one that German can agree with.
"Some of the music I listen to and a lot of my own personal beliefs about stuff" is a wellspring of ideas for his writing, which "gives me an outlet for venting," he said.
His latest novel, "Perilous Nation," follows the Moore brothers Andy and Owen, who are average Americans. Andy is getting married soon, and Owen is struggling with the past and everyday trials.
On the night of Andy's engagement party, strange events mark the transition into a new age. A virus begins consuming the land, the country is at war and Owen feels the rights of the citizenry are being aggressively taken away. Now the brothers must work together to survive and slay the evil new world order.
The book "is basically about the new world order happening, and the early stages of it," German said.
"There are two brothers trying to survive it and it picks up where they get kidnapped by one of the cults that run it, meet some renegades and get caught up in this huge global conspiracy."
The fictional story could parallel real-world events, German added.
"I believe that eventually we will become a police state. A lot of people don't want to think about that, but I think it is possible and it is pretty scary. I'm not trying to scare you but to push your mentality as much as I can."
German enjoys writing about topics that encourage disagreement.
"I push the boundaries and am really controversial. My political beliefs about new world order type stuff is what `Perilous Nation' is about. Maybe it pushes people away, maybe it doesn't."
The book is about 130 pages long and took German about a year to write. The first chapter alone went through six different revisions before he was happy with it. The book includes adult subject matter that may not be appropriate for all audiences, he said.
He is currently in the process of writing his second book in the series now, which is tentatively titled "Perilous Nation 2." He hopes to have it completed by 2013.
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