Synopsis

For decades, mountain men told tales of the exotic geography surrounding the source of the Yellowstone River, and Jubilee Walker, to the dismay of his fiancée, Nelly Boswell, can’t resist the opportunity to see it for himself. When Jubil joins an expedition to explore the region, he and his companions brave an unforgiving wilderness to find that the truth is even stranger than the legends.

But a year later, when Jubil returns with a survey crew, he finds ruthless men exploiting the region for profit. Will Jubil’s commitment to preventing the despoilment of Yellowstone’s geographical wonders get him killed?

Based on the events of the 1870 Washburn Expedition and the 1871 surveys by Dr. Ferdinand Hayden and Captain John Barlow, the second installment of the Jubilee Walker series chronicles the events leading up to the passage of the bill that designated Yellowstone as America’s first national park.

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Interview with Tim Piper

What kinds of research did you do for the story?

Major John Wesley Powell taught at Illinois Wesleyan University in my hometown of Bloomington, Illinois. I contacted the archive librarian at IWU’s Ames Library, and was allowed access to their John Wesley Powell Special Collection. These materials, along with other resources suggested by the librarian led me to a wealth of information about Powell. Other books and online newspaper articles provided insights into life during post–Civil War America.

What are some key takeaways you hope people will have from your book?

The protagonist, Jubilee Walker, is a young man who knows more about what he doesn’t want to do with his life more than what he does want. He makes most of his decisions by following his passions and doing what his heart tells him is right. His good-natured personality, enthusiasm, reliability, and calm demeanor in the face of difficult circumstances win him the support and friendship of most people he meets. Jubil’s philosophy of following his passion and heart is a worthwhile message for anyone.

What is next in the Jubilee Walker series?

The next book in the series is The Yellowstone Campaign. In this story, Jubil is drawn into the 1870 exploring expedition that paved the way for the first formal geographic surveys of the Yellowstone Basin in 1871. These, in turn, led to the passage in 1872 of a bill designating the area as America’s first national park.

About the Author

Tim Piper is retired from a long career in Information Technology and has been a lifelong hobbyist musician. In his earlier days, he was an avid hiker and backcountry camper, but his adventures these days are less strenuous and more comfortable. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois, with his cat, Maggie, who is no help with his writing but is a stellar companion. He began his education at Illinois State University as an English major, but life circumstances put him on a more pragmatic path, and he graduated with a BS in Business Admin, a degree he finds appropriately named.

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