Observing the unsettling and eerie echoes between the Vietnam era and today's political climate in Central America, Stone strikes a resounding and urgent chord in his third novel, A Flag for Sunrise. The narrative unfolds in the republic of Tecan, a fictional land inspired partly by contemporary Nicaragua, weaving a tapestry that serves both as a gripping political thriller and a profound metaphysical voyage into an undeniable inferno on earth. Tecan stands as a symbol for numerous Third World nations, enmeshed in the grip of American influence and marked by the scars of corruption, cruelty, and violence. This turbulent land becomes the backdrop for a dramatic convergence of events and ideologies, all intertwined by the spiritual demise of innocence.

Once a shadowy figure for the CIA in Vietnam, Frank Holliwell now finds himself called upon by a former colleague to delve into the political whispers stirring in Tecan, all while he's engaged in a scholarly tour just across the border. At first, Holliwell turns down the request, not out of any moral objection, but drawn forward by the twin forces of spontaneity and intrigue. His task centers on a Roman Catholic mission, overseen by a venerable priest and a spirited young nun, both suspected of harboring revolutionary dreams. Yet, as Holliwell steps into this realm, he is plunged headlong into a chaotic storm of modern horrors that envelop the nation.

In the novel, Stone masterfully weaves the Vietnam conflict's aftermath into his narrative tapestry, exploring its haunting resonance on American consciousness, much like he did in Dog Soldiers. Stone is steadfast in his belief that Vietnam has sparked a modern-day "fascination" with violence, presenting a dire cautionary tale that the horrors of Vietnam might very well unfold again in Central America. Through his characters, he vividly portrays the grim cost of American intervention, manifesting as fear, alienation, paranoia, and despair.