FYI...pardon the typo in the word Island in the title...but for those following the series, here is the next excerpt from Volume V.
bump
Looking forward to it. Read the first four in three days each.
Thank you. I really enjoyed reading this portion.
Thanks for the excerpt, I am looking forward to the last volume's release. (Probably not as much as you are.)
Amazon.com can't get it here fast enough.
Greetings from Big Sky Country. Have been vacationing here for the past ten days or so, and will be heading back east shortly (will overshoot home, spending a few days visiting friends in Virginia Beach before returning to 'business as usual' toward the end of the month). It's going to be very difficult to turn around and head back east, for a variety of reasons, many of which have to do with these majestic western mountains, clear blue rushing rivers, expansive blue sky, clean, crisp air, horizon-to-horizon cattle ranches, horse farms, and the rustic, independent, pioneer spirit of the people that somehow is not found (in the same proportions) once you cross the Mississippi, headed east.
We made a vow before leaving home that we would not listen to any news during the entire trip (part of the allure of this particular trip was to temporarily remove ourselves from the daily barrage of biased reporting, leftist agenda-drive lies, and at-the-hands-of-radical-Islam body counts). I have occasionally logged on here at FR simply to answer private replies, but not to read any articles or pings, in keeping with that promise – only their headlines. Very surprisingly, avoiding the news has not been difficult to do. I don’t at all miss updates on the progress -- a misnomer, if there ever was one -- of the (strangely reminiscent of O.J. days) Scott Peterson trial -- while mass genocide in Africa goes virtually unreported … or poll reports showing Kerry/Edwards (the only presidential/vice presidential candidates, past or present, who rival Clinton/Gore in moral vacuity) running neck-and-neck with Bush/Cheney, etc, etc.
Since your ping here did not involve present news I made an exception. :) I regret not having input into this latest chapter, but I know that Chris' capable shoulders alone will see you through in my absence :) ... and am looking forward to resuming work at the end of the month.
Not surprisingly, in 'Retaking Wake Island' you are continuing to weave together America’s past, and (your entirely believable vision of her) future, into a compelling, suspenseful, human story.
One of the most meaningful allures of this series is the fact that, from page one of volume one, all of the events contained in the first four volumes could actually begin to unfold tomorrow – and there would be no divergence from reality. No one (at least no informed American – that rare and dying breed) could say, 'How could this have happened?' Each and every occurrence follows logically from (distant and recent) history, and historical precedent. In that respect, the series serves as a much-needed warning, especially of the global threat represented by ignoring -- or at least failing to adequately respond to -- the power and resolve of both radical Islam and Communist China … and the need for the American people to comprehend that the resolve of this particularly merciless enemy is obsessively fixated … that their aim to destroy America (and Israel) is, and always will be, what gives their lives meaning. It is viewed as their perverted destiny. If for only that reason, the more of these books that find their way into the hands of literate America, the greater will be our resolve and ability to face down the enemies of liberty … while the ability to do so still exists.
The one and only area in which I disagree with you is in your belief that, as He always has, the Lord will step in and provide strength and guidance in our behalf. I believe that, unlike His wisdom, love and power, His patience is finite (as has been illustrated, time and again, in scripture in His dealings with those of little faith). As a nation, we are wandering father and father off the well-lit path He has laid out for us, and there will come a time when impenetrable darkness prevents our finding our way back. He may not choose to provide yet another light for us in the self-absorbed, ignorant, decadent wilderness we have defiantly chosen to inhabit.
With that said, I (as are so many others) continue to be enthralled with your prescient story of what may well lie ahead, if we continue to ignore (or at least minimize, in deference to comfort and convenience) the evil whose sole focus is our destruction.
An excellent excerpt, Jeff.
~ joanie