Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar:

Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave

 
Like most slaves in early America, Stephen Bishop dreamed of freedom. But when his master brought him to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky in 1838, he found a new obsession- exploring the vast reaches of what would one day be the world's longest cave. Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar: Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave is based on the true story of America's first great cave explorer, whose magnificent discoveries helped pave the way for Mammoth Cave to become a national park a century later. As a guide, Stephen was extraordinarily popular with tourists, and his reputation spread throughout the United States and Europe. Written from the perspective of his wife, Charlotte, this carefully researched novel combines adventure, history, humor, and romance. Indeed, it is a fascinating tale of two unforgettable slaves whose passion for each other, and for the cave below, made it possible for them to endure an otherwise intolerable existence. Review details HERE.
 
 

 

$21.95 hardback (alk. paper) ISBN: 978-0-939748-72-3
$15.95 paperback (alk. paper) ISBN: 978-0-939748-71-6


 
By Roger W. Brucker
 
    Roger W. Brucker has coauthored four nonfiction books about caves in the Mammoth Cave area. He is an Honorary Life Fellow of the National Speleological Society and winner of its highest honors, including the 2004 Spelean History Award and 2009 Arts & Letters Award. He is a founder and past president of the Cave Research Foundation. For 25 years he taught the Speleology course for Western Kentucky University at Mammoth Cave National Park. He has been called one of the greatest cave adventure writers. Roger resides in Beavercreek, Ohio, with his wife Lynn. Visit Roger's information on the new book at www.rogerbrucker.com.  


Rev. 2-16-2010