“'Chaturanga' is a very enjoyable novel, written with panache and great scope. Like Kipling’s ‘Kim’, it takes the reader on a journey through little-known Central Asia, a part of the world still as fascinating as it was 150 years ago.” – Lutz Kleveman, author of THE NEW GREAT GAME
"'Chaturanga' will appeal not only to the young adult audience, but adults as well. Energy politics is hard for many to grasp, especially if they have not had to worry about where their next tank of gas is coming from or whether their lights will come on. Andrew Katen's perception of both geopolitical history and current events will help readers understand what is going on in today’s world." - J. Steven Gardner, PE, SME-RM, 2015 President, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration
“While the story is fiction, the novel has useful and educational informationabout Central Asia, including geology, archeology, history, culture, language, people, and the environment. Even names of places and people have helpful pronunciation guides. Chaturanga is an excellent novel for Junior and Senior level high school students and young adults.” - Verner C. Johnson, Ph.D., Professional Geologist
"In 'Chaturanga', Andrew C. Katen makes learning fun, he boils down very complex issues, geo - politics, ancient and modern history, international corporate strategy and more in a very digestible manner. Told through the eyes of his young protagonist it is full of wanderlust and adventure, one that Marco Polo himself would have recognized and enjoyed. The genius in it for me is his use of oil as the linchpin of his book, once trade goods such as silk, spices and precious gems animated the Silkroad, today oil is the lubricant reanimating that ancient route and is the Axis Mundi upon which the whole world now turns!" - Francis O'Donnell, Artist, Author, Explorer & Emmy Nominated filmmaker of the PBS documentary "In the Footsteps of Marco Polo"
"What a great story. And, what a great way to encourage the interest of teenagers in history, politics, current events, geography, and economics." - Larry Eubanks, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
“This novel tells an exciting story through a historical, cultural, political and contemporary narrative that will captivate, educate and stimulate young adults. The writing is fluid, informed, and imaginative. ” – Hussein A. Amery, Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines, Division of Liberal Arts and International Studies
"... an entertaining, heartwarming, hair-rasing, inspirational and educational journey into the world of energy exploration and intriguing geopolitics. Well done! I did not want it to end." - Stephen Doyle, President, BtuBaron LLC
"...a delightful romp, an epic adventure. Engrossing, imaginative, and beautifully wrought, it is a tale of legend, lore and discovery that, like the best of books, will educate, fascinate, and resonate. Katen's book is one that you will keep, share, and one day, want your own children to read." - Troy Matthew Carnes, teacher and author of RASPUTIN'S LEGACY
"...a must have addition to every armchair adventurer's library, as well as the perfect immersion experience into exploration and learning!" - Amazon Reviewer
"...well crafted and expertly researched. Having traveled parts of Central Asia, the sights, sounds and feelings of those places quickly returned as the pages triggered memory after memory." - Amazon Reviewer