Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization

Author Ken McAlpine stands in his front yard one night in Ventura, California, trying to see the stars. His view is diminished by light pollution, making it hard to see much of anything in the sky. Our fast-paced, technologically advanced society, he concludes, is not conducive to stargazing or soul-searching. Taking a page from Thoreau's Walden, he decides to get away from the clamor of everyday life, journeying alone through California's Channel Islands National Park. There, he imagines, he might be able to "breathe slowly and think clearly, to examine how we live and what we live for" In between his week-long solo trips through these pristine islands, McAlpine reaches out to try to better understand his fellow man: he eats lunch with the homeless in Beverly Hills, sits in the desert with a 98-year-old Benedictine monk, and befriends a sidewalk celebrity impersonator in Hollywood. What he discovers about himself and the world we live in will inspire anyone who wishes they had the time to slow down and notice the wonders of nature and humanity.

Ken McAlpine is the author of ten books;fiction, non-fiction and selected essays. Of his novel TOGETHER WE JUMP, USA TODAY said, "There's a beautiful Forrest Gump feel to this book. The main character was a delight, and I just loved his sad, wistful, wonderful tale." His non-fiction work OFF SEASON: DISCOVERING AMERICA ON WINTER'S SHORE was a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. He is currently finishing the last book in a three-book series (JUNCTURE, NEXUS, DEPARTURE), a tale part cerebral JAWS, part TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and part warning.

Most important, Ken lives in Ventura, California with his wife and their two sons.He likes to stand in his yard at night looking at the stars, but he does not like to spend any time during the day doing yard work. For more information,please see kenmcalpine.com