This is a family saga of 6/7 novels involving three generations of an Irish-American family fighting its way toward enlightenment during the Twentieth Century. It’s the story of one family’s social, intellectual and economic development and the growth of America through turbulent times — two big wars, several smaller ones, a Depression, several revolutions (social, race, gender and sexual), and the rise of the middle class and the nation during these dynamic times. There is a subtext that chronicles the rise of American classical music.

#1 – EAGLES RISING (1896-1934) – The Mahoney family saga evolves from pioneer life on an Iowa farm and includes a migration to Chicago after the questing spirit of the Columbian Exposition transforms Martin Mahoney. This is mainly the story of his son, John-Arthur, a soldier in WWI haunted by an accident in his youth. It is the story of what happens to someone who confronts trauma at the age of ten. This Chicago neighborhood novel involves the moxie girl who becomes John-Arthur’s wife, his nemesis from the Prairie Avenue Gang, and a friend, who happens to be a Wizard.

“This is a book that lingers in the mind after the final page is turned as if a wise historian has rearranged some of our preconceived platitudes.”
Easton Star-Democrat - 12/21/07

Available for $19.95 from www.booklocker.com.

#3 – FINDERS KEEPERS (1943- 1952) – Continuation of Jim’s story into young manhood, struggling toward maturity. The story with a Long Island/ New York background describes how a jerky kid pulls himself out of mediocrity onto a higher spiritual plane and of those who travel with him—his friends and lovers. Jim becomes involved in the renaissance of New York’s cultural and intellectual life at mid-century—Village life surrounded by the New York School of Art, the Beat poets, Miller and Tennessee’s Broadway, the rise of music via Lenny B. (To be written)

#4 – A TOURNAMENT OF A DISTINGUISHED WHITE ORDER (1953-54) – Jim’s army experience in the ranks and at home. The story involves his wild ride with a struggling and passionate blonde actress in Manhattan, and his choice between two army friends, one a tough street-smart New Yorker, the other a sensitive aesthete. (Needs revision)  

#5 – A Sixties Novel - Jim’s family life. The assassinations, the War, the sexual revolution, the sterility of the suburbs and the break-up of his family. Sub-plot forms around Jim’s struggle in publishing. (Unformed)

#7 – WIZARD HO! (1990’s) – Jim and Columbia Ruth, now an international whiz kid, fight the corporate battles of New York in the 90’s. But the principal search is for the unknown Wizard. This is the story of lost and found. They find the Wizard but lose each other. Complete with an inside look at the high-stepping magazine business and life in Chelsea. (Ready for copyediting after minimal rewriting)