We all come into this world alone and go out the same way. Between coming and going is life. This is a story about life and how a year long adventure defines the future of a reluctant young man named Dutch Clarke.

           Manipulated by the terms of his dead grandfather’s will, Dutch undertakes his ordeal in the rugged wilderness of British Columbia in 1941. Set against the opening days of World War II, this is a classic story of a young man’s personal struggle to come of age against all odds.

          Dutch begins his trek accompanied by his horse Blaze, two mules and a half wild dog, Gus. As they pack into the remote Nascall Valley, he digs deep, learning courage, self-reliance and how to trust his animals’ instincts. On this unforgiving trail, Dutch faces many obstacles, some life-threatening, some inspiring, all a challenge to his character and spirit.

          This poignant story is written in a powerful narrative style that draws the reader ever deeper, propelling them from one adventure to the next. It’s a story of redemption, love, birth and death, a heart-felt story that relates the events that shape its characters’ lives in an edge-of-your-seat survival saga.

Quarter Finalist - Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

The story-telling has a rhythm to it, soft and persuasive, humbling and invigorating. The story makes you want to read more…
Amazon Editorial Review

Despite brutal weather, gnashing wolves and deadly bears, Dutch battles nature and his own growing loneliness...
Publishers Weekly 

This reminds me a lot of High Country--quiet, rich, and lyrical in flavor…
Amazon Editorial Review  

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Soft Cover Price-6"X9" ISBN: 9781434395337   $19.95 Less Discount 10%-20%

Hard Cover Price-6"X9" ISBN: 9781434395344 $24.95 Less Discount 10%-20%

  
Dutch Clarke - The War Years
Eric Hoffer
Award Winner
Press Release 

In 1942, as American blood is about to be spilled in far off Guadalcanal , a young man boards a train and blindly heads towards his destiny: boot camp with the United States Marine Corps. The tragic times of World War II were the defining years for millions of cowboys and plowboys, and ‘Dutch Clarke - The War Years’ is a compelling chronicle about these years and one not so ordinary, young man.

This book is a heartwarming and harrowing saga about Dutch Clarke who, over the objections of his prominent family, answers his country’s call.  Just as Dutch is about to complete boot camp, family influence steps in and propels him through the ranks and into the Office of War Information. Here he puts down his rifle and takes up photography. Working with former TIME photographer and Nisei cameraman, Dutch learns the power of the lens and the courage to use it.

This is a uniquely different war story about these men who fought their way across the Pacific, not with guns but with cameras. But this tapestry covers more than just guns and bullets; it is also about the human threads of perception, prejudice, friendship and the ultimate sacrifice.

As Dutch captures these images, he realizes there are some deeds that can never be forgotten or forgiven. After surviving a Japanese POW camp and a daring escape, he is given the opportunity to be one of the first American photographers to set foot on homeland Japan…here he turns his assignment from reconnaissance to revenge. Dutch’s story is as fresh as today’s headlines and as true as yesterday’s sins.

  Chapter One - Read by Brian Ratty
Read Reviews: 20 Reviews

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Questions, please contact me: bdratty@media-west.com