Kirjahaku

There are sixteen stories in this collection. With the exception of "Another Day of Infamy", all of the stories are fiction. "Infamy" is about 9-11 and the view of the New York skyline on September 12 from Paterson, New Jersey. During a very troubled time it is a quest for meaning. While a story of fiction "The War Years" does portray the adventures of two young brothers in search of the world forever changed by the global war. This was a different America and its home front reflects it . Many readers have told this writer that The "War Years" is the best short story in the collection. Down the Road contains some humor also: "The Wedding Wrought from Mishap" and "Dashiell's Magnus Opus." These are recommended for the lighter touch.

The idea of writing a poetic tribute to the mountain men has been with me for a long time. These are the heroes of my youth. The pathfinders of our Manifest Destiny, the rare example of a President --- Thomas Jefferson --- who truly possessed great vision and acted upon it. This book is a paean to all who ventured into the brave new world. Some trappers/explorers were obvious: Jim Bridger, Kit Carson and John Wesley Powell. Some were set aside, perhaps for another time: John Fremont, John Colter, Jedediah Smith, etc. All of these brave and resourceful mountain men were like Vikings --- with adventuresome spirit and remarkable courage. This writer has tried to keep a balance between emigrants in search of religious freedom, enduring extreme privation --- "On to Zion" --- and the vicious slaughter --- "Murders at Mountain Meadows." Like all human beings the Western settlers possessed both light and dark souls. The Western Vikings poems are written in free verse which hopefully enhances the narrative. With counsel from editor Shelia Oakes, complilation by my brother Robert Keyser and creative design by my publisher Michael Fraser, it was most enjoyable writing this work. I trust that you the reader will share that enjoyment. Michael J. Keyser