About the Book
FLYING LESSONS (VOLUME I: Repercussions of an Ill-Fated Flight and Volume II: The Aftermath) is a dramatic and multi-faceted novel based on true events and real people using fictitious names. The story takes place in a little over a year's passing, and how many of us have lived a seeming lifetime in the context of a relatively brief span?
Abstract: Lux Carey, the principal of this story, is invited by his good friend, Walt Sivaad, to help fly an exacting two-week cross-country flight in a vintage WW II-era airplane. Informing Lux it will be a so-called "barnstormers" dream, at first, Lux is interested in the proposal, especially because Walt, who is a captain and flight-trainer for a major airline, is also his flight mentor and best friend. Moreover, the experience will hone his flight experience, adding valuable hours to his logbook. Before the day of departure, however, Lux assess his dreams of late, most of which are predicated on an imminent tragedy. Thus, a plane crash. Consequently, he considers backing out of the agreement as the co-pilot trainee. Another complication is the fact Lux and his wife, JoHanna, are having marital problems of late. Moreover, he thinks going away for two weeks will give them time to rethink what they plan to do with their marriage upon his return. Given this crux of the narrative, everything that follows is convoluted, starting with the fact Lux's predictive and cautionary dreams are indeed premonitory. In fact, apocalyptic. Hence, the two-seated relic aircraft crashes on the first day! Moving the clock of time fast forward, it takes hours for the rescue team to find both pilots. While Lux is critically injured, Walt suffers only minor injuries but is instrumental in helping the rescue team locate them in the density of West Virginia's mountainous terrain. Later, on that flight, Lux relinquishes his life but is soon brought back to life at the hospital. Indeed, his injuries were so critical he must undergo several operations. Consequently, he must remain in the hospital until he is well enough to travel back to Denver. When that day finally arrives, more operations are required throughout the next year, taking a heavy toll on his spirits and attitude. This lengthy and arduous ordeal not only takes its emotional toll on Lux but also JoHanna and Walt. He also assumes all the blame for what happened. In time, their marriage is discontinued, and a new life begins for all three, except Walt soon loses his life in a tragic car crash.
PLEASE SEE VOLUME II for the rest of this informative synopsis!
About the Author: After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy (submarine service), Rich Holtzin has lived in the West and Southwest for over four decades. Earning three academic degrees in Eastern and Western Philosophy, for some thirty years, he made a living as an outdoors educator and interpreter teaching a variety of geosciences, human, and natural history geared to the Colorado Plateau Province. Additionally, Rich was a professional studio and stage musician and taught guitar and music theory, including composing two soundtracks for the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks; a high school Educational Assistant and Substitute Teacher; a Commercial Pilot flying a variety of aircraft; a professional Photographer; a GPS surveyor and Topographical Mapper for the U. S. Forest Service; a Planetarium Control Room operator; a museum docent; and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office. What Rich is more enthused about, however, is serving in the role of an Interpretive Guide and Educator for the Grand Canyon Field Institute (a National Park Service endorsed outreach program (http: //bit.ly/1D6YS1u). He was also an instructor at Northern Arizona University and Yavapai College (respectively, Flagstaff and Prescott), as well as the owner of a Southwest eco and cultural tourism enterprise. Fairly recently, he became the Executive Director of a think tank in Albuquerque, based on astronautics and aerospace S.T.E.M. classroom projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including the co-author of a math-lab book based on rocketry (www.stemfortheclassroom). For more of RICH HOLTZIN'S backstory, peruse his website under his legal name: www.richholtzin.com He also writes books under the nom de plume, RK ALLEMAN, as published on his other Amazon Author's Page.
