Books with author Kirk Thomas

In this highly readable and provocative book, Thomas Newkirk explodes the long standing habit of opposing abstract argument with telling stories. Newkirk convincingly shows that effective argument is already a kind of narrative and is deeply "entwined with narrative." --Gerald Graff, former MLA President and author of Clueless in Academe Narrative is regularly considered a type of writing-often an "easy" one, appropriate for early grades but giving way to argument and analysis in later grades. This groundbreaking book challenges all that. It invites readers to imagine narrative as something more-as the primary way we understand our world and ourselves. "To deny the centrality of narrative is to deny our own nature," Newkirk explains. "We seek companionship of a narrator who maintains our attention, and perhaps affection. We are not made for objectivity and pure abstraction-for timelessness. We have 'literary minds" that respond to plot, character, and details in all kind of writing. As humans, we must tell stories." When we are engaged readers, we are following a story constructed by the author, regardless of the type of writing. To sustain a reading-in a novel, an opinion essay, or a research article- we need a "plot" that helps us comprehend specific information, or experience the significance of an argument. As Robert Frost reminds us, all good memorable writing is "dramatic." Minds Made for Stories is a needed corrective to the narrow and compartmentalized approaches often imposed on schools-approaches which are at odds with the way writing really works outside school walls.

She is a model citizen of the East German Police State . . . She is a respected scientist and mother . . . She is a beautiful woman in love with a man on another continent . . . And she is an assassin. She asks, the reader asks, if murder is a crime when evil is the victim.Against the backdrop of the Cold War, a passionate romance blossoms between Käte Frassek, the young wife of an East German government agent, and Clay Bentley, an American exchange student who has left Boulder to study in West Berlin. After two years of daily, often suspenseful, border crossings, Clay returns to the States, his abrupt departure unnoticed by the Stasi - the secret police. He becomes a prominent physician, marries a hometown girl and leads what appears to be a normal life. But his love for Käte endures, and her distant call for help proves irresistible, setting the stage for a psychological thriller of rare intensity. Clay returns to the East, unaware that he will become part of an assassination conspiracy of international consequence. This classic work of German historical fiction is not just a gripping page-turner. It presages real events that, soon after its publication, change the contours of European political and military reality.THE QUIET ASSASSIN is more than a novel about spies, danger, love and politics; it is also a riveting thriller that exposes underground forces academia failed to see. Vigilante justice on a national scale did occur. It is unknown though not improbable that someone like the female protagonist of this book helped to unleash itWHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire.” — Kirkus Reviews "A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." — Rocky Mountain News "Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!” — Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful … Truly riveting!" — Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue … A classic adventure." — Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."— Kirkus Reviews “Tense drama…spectacular.”— St. Louis Post Dispatch “Riveting and fascinating.”— Lerner Newspapers “An absorbing tale…the stuff of which movies are made.”— Rocky Mountain News "Crackles … a rousing good job." — Akron Beacon-JournalWHAT READERS ARE SAYING:“Finally an author who knows how to write with passion!”“A terrific thriller that I couldn't put down, I'll have to read more by this author. The research was amazing.”“This is an excellent page turner with good characterizations and more than ample detail. A good suspense story with tension right up to the end.”“Well written, moving story. I wasn't able to put it down.”“Riveting is a great word for this 5 star book!”“The author did a great job at building up the characters of the book, as well as keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I personally loved this story and will look forward to reading more by this author.”“I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to those who want edge of their seat excitement. This story makes me wonder what life would be like to live it as two different people. Definitely five out of five stars.”SELECTED BY BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB

Whenever Kirk would fly DeHavilland Otter N6868B his adult children would say to their kids, "There goes Grandpa," as he would fly by. It wasn't long before the kids would hear an airplane and immediately look to see if it was "Grandpa's Plane." The story came about as Kirk heard accounts of his grandchildren getting excited as his airplane would fly overhead and hearing the grandkids say, "We saw you fly by today Grandpa." Constant requests for rides from the grandkids cemented the storyline.

Winner of the 2014 Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction!This is Thomas King’s first literary novel in 15 years and follows on the success of the award-winning and bestselling The Inconvenient Indian and his beloved Green Grass, Running Water and Truth and Bright Water, both of which continue to be taught in Canadian schools and universities. Green Grass, Running Water is widely considered a contemporary Canadian classic.In The Back of the Turtle, Gabriel returns to Smoke River, the reserve where his mother grew up and to which she returned with Gabriel’s sister. The reserve is deserted after an environmental disaster killed the population, including Gabriel’s family, and the wildlife. Gabriel, a brilliant scientist working for Domidion, created GreenSweep, and indirectly led to the crisis. Now he has come to see the damage and to kill himself in the sea. But as he prepares to let the water take him, he sees a young girl in the waves. Plunging in, he saves her, and soon is saving others. Who are these people with their long black hair and almond eyes who have fallen from the sky?Filled with brilliant characters, trademark wit, wordplay and a thorough knowledge of native myth and story-telling, this novel is a masterpiece by one of our most important writers.

“History is a compilation of events that cannot happen.” -- AnonymousTHE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE: America After the Deal is a must-read, a gripping thriller rooted not only in fantasy but in contemporary American and international events. The book's fast-paced action and bold conspiracies span the globe but, unlike most military and political suspense novels, its epicenter is not Washington, Moscow or London. Rather it is a small town in middle America, a town with a long colorful history that has become a refuge of the rich and famous: Aspen, Colorado. The narrative accelerates irresistibly toward a shocking conclusion, but the underlying mystery gives no hint what that conclusion might be. The epic battle between good and evil features cyberwarfare, assassinations and other military techniques found in most thrillers. There is an element of international crime, a fiery romance, psychological manipulation, murder and undercover operations by spies not suspected of espionage. And there is, of course, a role for law enforcement, especially for the FBI and other government agents. But it is the unlikely cast of characters and the way in which their lives become intertwined that make this novel unique. The reader follows the Russian President, US Special Forces, the American President, intelligence operations by the CIA and FSB, successor to the KGB. All of this is not surprising in a military and political thriller; not surprising until one adds the 74-year-old director of the Aspen Historical Society, her sexy if naive assistant, a slow-talking Southerner from Louisiana and the aunt who raised him - adds these characters and elevates them to the same level of importance as that of "the usual suspects." For readers who have tired of series heroes mired in tough situations they will obviously escape, for readers looking for a new and possibly predictive type of story, a story that loses none of its nail-biting suspense by deviating from traditional themes, THE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE is for you. Editorial Reviews of Kirkwood’s previous work:"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire.” — Kirkus Reviews"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." — Rocky Mountain News "Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!” — Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful … Truly riveting!" — Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue … A classic adventure." — Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."— Kirkus Reviews “Tense drama…spectacular.”— St. Louis Post Dispatch “Riveting and fascinating.”— Lerner Newspapers “An absorbing tale…the stuff of which movies are made.”— Rocky Mountain News "Crackles … a rousing good job." — Akron Beacon-Journal

A beautiful French actress, a violent Mafia kidnapping and a lover’s courageous attempt to rescue her . . .From the pink cliffs of Brittany to the painted wagons of Sicily, from the slums of Paris to the medieval estates of Europe, this action-packed romantic thriller moves at breakneck speed through a land of international crime, assassination, murder, deception, conspiracy and heroism. The kidnapping of French actress, Chantal Armand, forms the hub of a wheel around which art and science, sacrifice and arrogance, love and hate spin at a dizzying pace. The result is a page-turner of rare intensity.The Poppy Broker leads us into the world of Tommaso Scalzone, a man as brilliant as he is glacial. Scalzone is a government agent, specifically the interior minister of Italy. He is also a criminal of epic proportion, using the Mafia for protection while he forces kidnapped scientists to create what he wants: a genetically engineered opium poppy that will give him control of the world’s heroin trade. Chief among his academics is Professor Armand, Chantal’s father. Custody of both father and daughter offer Scalzone every conceivable means of cruelty and psychological manipulation. But Chantal is not helpless. She is not only a gifted actress on stage but also in captivity. Scalzone’s obsession with his criminal enterprise is diluted by his growing desire for a women who seems to share his feelings. The complex interplay of goals and emotions spawns an unforgettable cast of characters ─ Nadja, a sexy teenage runaway; Don Greco, a Mafia boss with a neck like a stack of tires; Gianni, a thin-hipped Ferrari-driving Italian hotshot who fancies himself Don Greco’s successor and Scalzone’s equal; and Louis Pagnol, a hero in waiting.The French police, having put its best investigators on Chantal’s case, come away empty-handed. She is declared dead by the authorities. But Jean-François, an aristocrat and art collector, refuses to abandon his continent-wide search for the love of his life. He comes across a clue that may or may not be significant. What was to this point a nail-biting psychological thriller now becomes a mystery. Can Jean-François solve it? Will his love for Chantal lead him on a relentless but futile quest, or can he prevail against the odds? The Poppy Broker will allow you no rest until you learn the answer.EDITORIAL REVIEWS (The Critics on Kirkwood’s Writing)"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire.” — Kirkus Reviews"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." — Rocky Mountain News"Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!” — Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful … Truly riveting!" — Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue … A classic adventure." — Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."— Kirkus Reviews “Tense drama…spectacular.”— St. Louis Post Dispatch “Riveting and fascinating.”— Lerner Newspapers “An absorbing tale…the stuff of which movies are made.”— Rocky Mountain News "Crackles … a rousing good job." — Akron Beacon-Journal

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

“History is a compilation of events that cannot happen.” -- AnonymousTHE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE: America After the Deal is a must-read, a gripping thriller rooted not only in fantasy but in contemporary American and international events. The book's fast-paced action and bold conspiracies span the globe but, unlike most military and political suspense novels, its epicenter is not Washington, Moscow or London. Rather it is a small town in middle America, a town with a long colorful history that has become a refuge of the rich and famous: Aspen, Colorado. The narrative accelerates irresistibly toward a shocking conclusion, but the underlying mystery gives no hint what that conclusion might be. The epic battle between good and evil features cyberwarfare, assassinations and other military techniques found in most thrillers. There is an element of international crime, a fiery romance, psychological manipulation, murder and undercover operations by spies not suspected of espionage. And there is, of course, a role for law enforcement, especially for the FBI and other government agents. But it is the unlikely cast of characters and the way in which their lives become intertwined that make this novel unique. The reader follows the Russian President, US Special Forces, the American President, intelligence operations by the CIA and FSB, successor to the KGB. All of this is not surprising in a military and political thriller; not surprising until one adds the 74-year-old director of the Aspen Historical Society, her sexy if naive assistant, a slow-talking Southerner from Louisiana and the aunt who raised him - adds these characters and elevates them to the same level of importance as that of "the usual suspects." For readers who have tired of series heroes mired in tough situations they will obviously escape, for readers looking for a new and possibly predictive type of story, a story that loses none of its nail-biting suspense by deviating from traditional themes, THE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE is for you. Editorial Reviews of Kirkwood’s previous work:"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire.” — Kirkus Reviews"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." — Rocky Mountain News "Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!” — Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful … Truly riveting!" — Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue … A classic adventure." — Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."— Kirkus Reviews “Tense drama…spectacular.”— St. Louis Post Dispatch “Riveting and fascinating.”— Lerner Newspapers “An absorbing tale…the stuff of which movies are made.”— Rocky Mountain News "Crackles … a rousing good job." — Akron Beacon-Journal

(This Novel was previously published as FAITH: A Secret Life)Josh Miller, 18 years old, sits in a packed courtroom, accused of the rape and murder of his high-school girlfriend, Tess. The undisputed facts leave little doubt that he is guilty. Why did he do it? They were deeply in love. Their relationship, like Tess herself, seemed perfect. Was she involved with someone else? Did he find out and turn on her in anger? Everyone has a theory but none of them make sense. Yet all agree that Josh is guilty. Therefore, he must not be the gentle generous soul everyone believed him to be. No one bothers to inquire after Tess’s state of mind in the weeks before her death. And why should they? She was beautiful, charming, gifted, never down or depressed. She was the delight of teachers and parents, the envy of classmates, an avid lover of life. She had no enemies. Yet the evidence does not lie. Tess is not only a young adult or coming of age novel; it is not only a complex mystery; not only a courtroom drama involving the police, an alleged crime and the application of law. It is also a powerful adolescent romance that takes an unexpected turn into a different world, the world of depression, psychology, mood disorders, counseling and, lastly, death and grief.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TESS (Previously published as FAITH)“Every writer has a rhythm in the words that tell their story. Thomas Kirkwood … is a masterful conductor of the written word … In addition to being a captivating read, this engrossing book is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mood disorders are frequently not recognized in teens. I will never forget the characters of this story. Anyone looking for a great read need look no further than this wrenching story of love and loss.”“Protagonist Josh Miller, age 18, is on trial for the rape and murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend who, it is obvious, he loved dearly. The reader gets to follow the trial as well as the love story of Josh and Faith in sequential and alternating flashbacks, through Josh's eyes. Josh is intelligent, and has a unique sense of humor as well as some wonderfully quirky friends. Oh, and he does not think much of adult society. Very likely, he is right. PS The portrayal of mental illness was very much on the mark.”“I'm not an adolescent anymore, not by a long shot. But I work with young people about the age of the characters in this story. The book is beautifully written. The story made me remember in a visceral way how strong the basic emotions of youth are, what it's like to fall in love for the first time and how easy it is to get hurt. If you have teenage children, you'll understand them so much better after reading FAITH. You'll also finish the book knowing some of the things you should watch for in "the perfect child." All of the great things of youth are here for the reader to relive, too, and all the shocking discoveries you make as the years go by. You'll cry but you'll also laugh . . . and you'll do a lot of both. I don't think I've read anything for a long time that has moved me like this novel. It's something that should be in every school library, on the bookshelf of every program for gifted students, and required reading for every dead-to-the-world school administrator or psychologist.“As someone who deals with mental health issues, bipolar in particular, this book was incredibly moving and touching. It was very realistic and heartbreaking to see the struggles from the outside looking in. Then, to find out Faith is no longer living and her caring, devoted boyfriend is on trial is unfortunately not shocking. This book is all too realistic and as such, is very moving and touches a person deeply.