Albert Simmel lives in the Age of the Descent. Roads and other infrastructure have fallen into utter disrepair. The petroleum supply has basically petered out. The constituents hold all political and economic power. Beneath them struggle the subs, of which Al is one. Al has lost the love of his life, Valerie, in a terrible accident. He passes his days with his work as a tutor to constituents, and in the dull pain of his loss. Then comes shocking news that changes his life and leads him on a journey across what is now called Old America. Along the way he will encounter a buffalo stampede, attacks of bandits and pirates, the violent practices of a scapegoating religion, the so-called meta-Indians, the last movie in a gentle small town, and a host of colorful characters. Throughout his arduous travels he intriguingly ruminates on the riches--and challenges--of a life of faith. At once science fiction, a western, a comedy, a love story, and a novel of ideas, The Second Baptism of Albert Simmel is filled with suspense and vivid scenes, and takes the reader on an unforgettable journey. ""Albert Simmel is an 'everyman.' Throughout his remarkable journey to reset, rebalance, renew, and reclaim what was lost to him, including himself, he not only evokes, but invokes, the struggles and sacred disappointments and profound Godly hope in each of us."" --Charlene Baumbich, author of Don't Miss Your Life ""Complete with stampeding buffalo, dirigible duels, meta-Indians, false prophets, and turkey farmers, Clapp's Second Baptism of Albert Simmel is a hero's journey of the highest order. Though the obstacles Al Simmel faces in the Age of the Descent are by turns ribald and surreal, painful and hilarious, Clapp reminds us of what it means to be a Christian on a journey in any age while his graceful language provides us with comfort every step of the way."" --Kaethe Schwehn, author of Tailings: A Memoir Rodney Clapp is an editor with Cascade Books. He is the author of several prize-winning books, most recently Johnny Cash and the Great American Contradiction: Christianity and the Battle for the Soul of a Nation.
