Inspired by a true story, Peace of Ourselves is a coming-of-age novel about a young man's evolving objection to the Vietnam War and his subsequent move from the US to Canada. The book offers a unique point of view that will trigger contemplative memories for those who lived during that time and a historical perspective for those who did not. Kevin Fischer is a Missouri boy growing up in the '60s and '70s. He's watching television after oral surgery on the day President Kennedy is shot. He's on spring break traveling through Memphis when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is killed. By the time he's in college, Kevin is participating in the growing, antiwar protests. Kevin meets John, a Vietnam veteran who is traumatized by what he saw "over there." John and Kevin have long talks about the realities of fighting in the Vietnam War, US Government international expansionism and the acceptance of these policies by the majority of US citizens. Although Kevin has a college draft deferment, as well as a medical issue that should preclude him from military service, he strongly opposes the Vietnam War on principle. This ideology is tested when his number comes up short in the draft lottery of 1969 making it more likely he will be drafted after college. John has decided to immigrate to Canada, and Kevin goes along for the road trip before he goes back to college. Kevin falls in love with Canada and decides to stay, much to the dismay of his parents, who are more of the belief, "my county, right or wrong". Kevin's true love from school, Lorraine, joins him in Canada, and they begin a unique, shared adventure managing a large vineyard operation in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.

Historical Fiction,

"Peace of Ourselves" is a story of Kevin, a boy deep within his antiwar feelings, that is forced to face the Vietnam war draft. But after meeting John, a veteran of that war, he knows that he can never go there. Kevin and John journey to Canada to find an alternative to their unrest.

Indicted as draft resister, Kevin returns to the U.S. for the Vietnam amnesty program but continues his court battle with the US. Government in Florida. Ultimately he wins his case and is released from the program but returns to Canada with his love Lorraine for their life in the vineyards.

Missouri, British Columbia, Canada, Englewood and Boca Grande, Florida

Yes

Internal Journey/Rebirth

Coming of Age

Information not completed

Name: Kevin Fischer

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Role: Emotional

Key Traits: Empathetic, Engaging, Perseverance, Romantic, Adventurous, Complex, Educated, Honorable, Outspoken, Strong Moral Code, Aspiring, Confident, Faithful,Adventurous,Complex,Faithful,Honorable,Romantic

Name: John

Age: 23

Gender: Male

Role: Sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Aggressive,Confident,Decisive,Leader,Unapologetic,Sarcastic,Outspoken,Blunt,Masculine

Name: Lorraine

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Heartthrob,Honorable,Sexy,Romantic

The author has not yet written this

Peace of Ourselves presents a rarely told story about the draft evaders and military deserters that went to Canada during the Vietnam war and what their lives on the other side of the border became. Spanning the time from President Kennedy's assassination to the amnesty program announced by President Ford shortly after pardoning Richard Nixon, the story line weaves between growing up in the suburbs of St. Louis, the unrest at universities in the late 1960's the vineyards of British Columbia and the old Florida Gulf Coast of the 1970's. The story line provides complex characters, out of step with the mainstream, and supports stunning visuals and period exploration at each stage of the storyline journey. The film will provide a unique point of view that will trigger contemplative memories for those who lived during that time and a colorful, historical perspective for those who did not.

Searching for an alternative to the political and social unrest in the United States, Kenn immigrated to Canada in 1970 and spent over twenty years in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley managing large vineyard and orchard operations. Kenn, along with his wife and best friend Linda, currently live a Gulf Coast lifestyle in Placida, Florida. Kenn is a business adventurer, “entrepreneur,” pragmatic optimist, hopeless romantic, father of five children, grandfather of a growing number of grandchildren, musician, songwriter, poet, trained chef, wine grower, surfer, and a global ambassador of good ideas. Wary of both half-truths and spreadsheets, Kenn tries to follow Robert Mondavi’s philosophy of “balance in all things with glorious exceptions.” As such, he is a part-time vegetarian and has carefully saved five minutes of his fifteen minutes of fame for this book.

Age: 55+

Target Gender: Universal

Information not completed

Status: Yes: with a Publisher

Publisher: Newman Springs

Year Published: 2019

No

978-1-64096-669-7