Mr. Grudge

Coming Soon: New Novel Completed -- "Walked a Gravel Lane"

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:06:00 +0000

New Novel Completed: Walked a Gravel Lane

I just finished my new novel, Walked a Gravel Lane. Set on Long Island in 1922, it follows Phil Stewart, an aging Civil War veteran living alone, and Tim McCloskey, a young man carrying the weight of a more recent war and a troubled home. When their paths cross, the two form an unlikely bond rooted in work, routine, and a shared understanding of violence, loss, and endurance.

The story unfolds quietly, focused on daily life, memory, and the ways people pass something of themselves to others without ever naming it. It’s not a war novel, a historical novel, or a coming-of-age story in the usual sense—but it carries pieces of all three.

It’s a book about legacy, responsibility, and what it means to keep moving forward when the past refuses to stay buried.

Michael J. Kannengieser's Author Page: Click Here.

Amazon Author's Page

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 16:05:00 +0000

Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer and novelist based on Long Island, New York, where he lives with his wife and two children. He served as the Managing Editor for fiction at The View from Here, a U.K.-based literary magazine, and has published widely in both fiction and editorial capacities. His body of work includes The Daddy Rock and Burning Blue (Decent Hill Publishers), as well as The Heart of Velletri (Dreaming Big Publications, 2019), a historical novel inspired by his father's experience as a soldier during World War II. In 2023, he released The Art of God, a novel that explores grief, faith, and the transformative power of art. His latest science fiction novel, The Last Two People, was published in April 2025 and examines human connection and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Michael continues to write across genres, blending personal experience with philosophical inquiry, spiritual themes, and speculative storytelling. He shares his work on his longtime blog, Mr. Grudge, publishes essays and stories on Substack, and connects with fellow writers on Writeseen (@michael_343).

Three Stories. One Author. Infinite Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 16:06:00 +0000

Three Stories. One Author. Infinite Impact.

By Michael J. Kannengieser

If you’re looking for something to read that doesn’t play it safe—something honest, layered, and a little unshaven—then I’ve got three stories for you.

📖 The Art of God
A grieving widower, a mysterious sculpture, and a media firestorm that questions what faith means in the modern world. The Art of God is a story about pain, healing, and the quiet miracles that sneak in when no one’s watching. It’s about finding purpose after loss—and what happens when the world thinks you’re a prophet but you’re just a guy with a chisel and a broken heart.

📘 The Heart of Velletri
This one’s personal. Inspired by my own family’s history, The Heart of Velletri follows a New York City cop digging into his father’s buried WWII secrets. What he finds connects war, crime, and generational wounds that still bleed decades later. If you've ever wondered how much we inherit—and how much we carry on our own—this book answers that with grit and grace.

🚀 The Last Two People
A sci-fi tale that strips humanity down to its core. After the world ends, two survivors—who once loved and betrayed each other—are the only ones left. Or so they think. The Last Two People asks big questions: What does it mean to forgive? To remember? To survive with someone who once broke your heart? It’s got just enough apocalypse to raise the stakes, and just enough tenderness to make them matter.

—

If you’ve read any of these, I thank you. If you haven’t, there’s no better time to start. These stories were written with honesty, curiosity, and a healthy dose of New York skepticism. They won’t give you easy answers—but they might just leave you thinking long after the last page.

👉 All three books are available now on Amazon.
If you’re ready to laugh, cry, think a little deeper, and maybe even argue with a character or two, these stories are waiting for you.

📚 Start with the one that speaks to you—or collect them all.
🔗Click here for Michael J. Kannengieser's Author Page on Amazon.

💬 Read them? Loved them? Yelled at the ending?
Leave a review. Tell a friend. Share a line that stuck with you.

Your support keeps these stories alive—and keeps me writing the next one.

Thanks for walking this road with me. The stories may be fictional, but the gratitude is real.

Everything Is As It Seems

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 20:34:00 +0000

A painting, a dream, and a message: everything is as it seems.

Can a dream carry a message from loved ones beyond this life? In this true story, I share a mysterious experience that brought comfort, chills, and a sense of peace after loss.

A friend of my sister’s — a college professor — once told me, “Your father knows more about American history than most history professors I know.” It was quite a compliment, especially considering that Dad was a mechanic. My parents were voracious readers. Mom loved novels and was also a talented watercolor artist. Dad devoured books about World War II, World War I, and the American Civil War. His shelves were lined with illustrated bird books — a reflection of his love for birdwatching.

After their passing, my siblings and I found about a dozen pairs of Dad’s binoculars tucked away throughout their house. Mom passed away in September 2006. Dad left us in May 2009. Being without a mother and a father at any age is an empty feeling, at best. At the time, I worked in the college’s IT department.

Weeks after Dad’s funeral, a dream came to me. I walked into the Registrar’s office at work. Behind the counter, wearing a hospital gown, stood my father. We were alone in the large, silent room. He noticed me immediately. I stared at him, stunned, trying to understand how he could still be alive. Dad leaned forward across the counter, looked me straight in the eye, and said, clear as day: “Everything is as it seems. All rumors are true.”

As he spoke, a brick wall rose from the floor behind him, reaching to the ceiling.

Immediately, I woke up — flooded with sadness that he was still gone, and haunted by the strange words he had spoken.

Later that day at work, I told a friend about the dream. As I spoke, he quickly typed Dad’s words into Google. At the very top of the search results, an image appeared:

a watercolor painting of birds in a tree — hauntingly similar to my mother’s style.

Beneath the tree were the words: Everything is as it seems. A chill ran down my spine.

Goosebumps covered my arms.

When I got home, I tried to find the image again but couldn’t locate it.

The next day at work, my friend and I searched again — and again, nothing.

It had vanished. Despite the mystery, I took comfort in believing it was a message:

a sign that Mom and Dad were together and at peace.

In the end, I’m grateful that Dad visited me in my dream, and that his message — however ephemeral — remains with me. Though, to be honest, I often wish he had included the winning Lotto numbers too.

The End

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If it touched you, inspired you, or made you reflect, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Your time and presence here mean more than you know. — Michael J. Kannengieser

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with someone who might find comfort or inspiration.

Books by author Michael J. Kannengieser:

The Last Two People: When peaceful aliens transform Earth, a heartbroken man races across upstate New York to win back his ex — but unexpected loyalties and a brewing rebellion force him to choose between love, friendship, and the future of humanity.

The Art of God: After losing his wife in a tragic accident, Alan Vaughn awakens from a coma with a divine calling to create a masterpiece — but as pain, doubt, and outside pressures threaten to consume him, he must embark on a journey to rediscover his shattered faith.

The Heart of Velletri: Haunted by the secrets of his father's wartime past and his family's criminal legacy, police officer Michael Koenigsmann embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind his father's survival in World War II — and ultimately finds healing, forgiveness, and redemption across generations.

Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer and the author of The Heart of Velletri, The Art of God, Burning Blue, and other works of fiction. His stories explore themes of redemption, faith, and the enduring power of human connection. He lives on Long Island with his family, where he continues to write heartfelt fiction that inspires and uplifts readers.

Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 19:31:00 +0000

Cemetery

The scent of fresh cut grass enhances this orchard of granite.

Meticulous hands cultivate its emerald-green lawn.

Beneath the grassy cover, a city of the mourned remains frozen in a cacophony of reminisced love and grief, by those beholding each monument.

I am among them; a bereaved onlooker, besieged by sorrow – and grasping an acceptance of inevitability.

Blossoms enliven this melancholic setting; ephemeral gifts signifying hopefulness and adoration. They too, wilt and perish like their intended recipients.

Crystal-azure heavens, dotted with wispy-cotton puffs, suspended above, as if dabbed there by an artist’s inspired stroke, guide each soul to an inviting light.

I shield my eyes, head craned and eyes squinting, unable to peer directly into the luminous gateway.

My soul will enter there soon; and my corpse shall die infinitely in the harsh earth for which lush, clipped grass shall provide no relief.

-7/3/12 Michael J. Kannengieser

Author Michael J. Kannengieser’s books are available on Amazon

Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island, in New York with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing editor for fiction at The View from Here Magazine; a U.K. based literary publication. Michael's first two novels, The Daddy Rock, and Burning Blue, were published by Decent Hill Publishers. Dreaming Big Publications released his novel, The Heart of Velletri, in 2019. Michael's novel, The Art of God, was published in July, 2023. His latest book is a sci-fi novel The Last Two People.

The Last Two People: Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:35:00 +0000

Trevor and Sheila's breakup pales in comparison to the chaos that ensues when extraterrestrials suddenly appear on Earth. As these beings surprisingly bring peace and harmony by resolving conflicts, Sheila follows her heart and leaves with Clyde, a captivating alien. But for Trevor, the sudden disappearance of his ex-girlfriend is just the beginning of a perilous journey through upstate New York. With the help of Sheila's loyal friend, Debbie, and a compassionate alien named Barbara, Trevor sets out to find the runaway couple - only to discover a violent confrontation between the aliens and Earth's Resistance. Caught in the midst of a battle between love, loyalty, and unexpected choices, Trevor is forced to make a decision that could determine the fate of not only his relationship with Sheila, but with Debbie and Barbara as well. Fans of gripping sci-fi adventures will devour this thrilling tale of love and survival.

Author Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island, in New York with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing editor for fiction at The View from Here Magazine; a U.K. based literary publication. Michael's first two novels, The Daddy Rock, and Burning Blue, were published by Decent Hill Publishers. Dreaming Big Publications released his novel, The Heart of Velletri, in 2019. Michael's latest novel, The Art of God, was published in July, 2023.

New Sci-Fi novel, “The Last Two People,” is available now on Amazon in print and on Kindle.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:25:00 +0000

New Sci-Fi novel, “The Last Two People,” is available now on Amazon in print and on Kindle. "The Last Two People" is a fun story about love, breaking up, and falling in love during an alien invasion. Buy a copy today!

The Last Two People Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 19:10:00 +0000

Buy The Last Two People in print and on Kindle on Amazon

Trevor and Sheila's breakup seems insignificant when Earth faces an unexpected invasion from aliens. As these extraterrestrials unexpectedly bring peace and harmony by resolving conflicts, Sheila follows her heart and leaves with Clyde, an intriguing alien. Desperate and determined, Trevor teams up with Sheila's loyal friend, Debbie, and a compassionate alien named Barbara to chase after the runaway couple across upstate New York. However, their quest takes an unexpected turn when a confrontation between the aliens and Earth's Resistance results in violence. In this gripping tale of love, loyalty, and unexpected choices, Trevor finds himself at a crossroads, forced to make a difficult decision that could determine the fate of not only his relationship with Sheila but with Debbie and Barbara as well.

The Heart of Velletri Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 19:05:00 +0000

Buy The Heart of Velletri in Kindle and print on Amazon

Michael Koenigsmann is a police officer and the son of a World War II veteran. Michael spends his life investigating how his father was wounded in battle, left for dead, and nearly buried alive during the Italian Campaign. His father, Gene, won’t reveal what had happened to him while overseas. Michael is fascinated when he learns that his late grandfather, Alphonse, was a gangster during the Great Depression. Also, Alphonse was a veteran of World War I. Michael’s journey begins with him trying to discover how his father survived the war and came home to lead the life of a devout Catholic, rather than be influenced by the criminal lifestyle of his father. At the end of his life, Gene tells Michael his story. He honors his father by arranging for a congressman to present Gene with his Purple Heart which he never received for nearly dying in the Battle of Velletri. After Gene’s death, he must accept his own shortcomings as a father and as a husband to move on with his life.

The Art of God Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 19:01:00 +0000

Are you ready to embark on a journey of faith and redemption? Join Alan Vaughn, a man whose life is forever changed after a tragic car accident takes the life of his beloved wife, Janet. In a coma for weeks, Alan awakens with a newfound purpose - to create a masterpiece that will touch the hearts of all who see it. But as he delves into this daunting task with unfamiliar tools and excruciating pain from his injuries, Alan's faith begins to wane. And when his finished artwork attracts the attention of those seeking to profit from it, and reporters looking to tell his story, Alan must confront his inner demons and embark on a personal quest to find his faith once more.

Set against the backdrop of a small, tight-knit community, "The Art of God" is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and the power of art to heal and inspire. If you enjoyed "The Shack" by William P. Young, you'll be captivated by this gripping story of one man's journey towards spiritual awakening.

Don't miss out on this deeply moving and thought-provoking novel. Grab your copy of "The Art of God" now. And prepare to be swept away by a story that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

Buy Now on Amazon

Sci-Fi Novel "The Last Two People" Available for Pre-Order!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:48:00 +0000

Pre-order Now! Print Edition will be available April 2nd!

Description: Trevor and Sheila's breakup seems insignificant when Earth faces an unexpected invasion from aliens. As these extraterrestrials unexpectedly bring peace and harmony by resolving conflicts, Sheila follows her heart and leaves with Clyde, an intriguing alien. Desperate and determined, Trevor teams up with Sheila's loyal friend, Debbie, and a compassionate alien named Barbara to chase after the runaway couple across upstate New York. However, their quest takes an unexpected turn when a confrontation between the aliens and Earth's Resistance results in violence. In this gripping tale of love, loyalty, and unexpected choices, Trevor finds himself at a crossroads, forced to make a difficult decision that could determine the fate of not only his relationship with Sheila but with Debbie and Barbara as well.

Pre-Order Here: Click Here

Remembering Ronnie James Dio - The Last in Line [Live at The Spectrum 1984]

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:23:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to see Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow when I was in high school. AC/DC opened for them, and Bonn Scott was amazing. Still, I was there primarily to see the man himself, Ronnie James Dio. While I already loved Rainbow, it was Dio whom I worshipped. His powerful voice made him larger than the rock chords blasting in the background. Those who know me will recall my love for Led Zeppelin. But as unique as Robert Plant’s voice is, Plant often forgot song lyrics in concert, and slurred his words both live and recorded. Dio’s voice was both strong, and measured. He left nothing on the stage and gave every performance his all. Singers and vocal coaches regale his style and technique to this day. Whether in Rainbow, Black Sabbath, or solo, Ronnie James Dio was a giant among giants. We lost Ronnie in 2010. But I will always be a fan. To The Man on the Silver Mountain, RIP. - M.J. Kannengieser

Movie Review: WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Trailer (1998) | Classic Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:13:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite films. “What Dreams May Come” is about love, family, loss, pain, and rebirth. The dialogue is moving and brilliant in both its poignance and brevity. The script guides us along a bittersweet romance between two souls eternally connected, and deeply in love. While the couple lives a life they had dreamed of and achieved, they weather the storm of tragic loss, and grapple with guilt and regret. In both this world and beyond, they seek each other and those they lost. The story demonstrates that each scene in our lives, no matter how trivial, can become significant, and a lesson to be learned from. The ending is a remarkable and beautiful conclusion that is also a new beginning. The story, while fantastic in its imagery, is both beautiful and terrifying. The outcome will have the viewer examining their own relationships with their spouse and children. I highly recommend watching this. - M.J. Kannengieser

Kathy McCarty Cover Version of "I Had a Dream" by Daniel Johnston

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:08:00 +0000

This is a remarkable, tasteful, and loving rendition of the song I had a dream, by the late Daniel Johnston. Daniel spent his life battling mental illness, yet he attained success in music and art with a dedicated cult fanbase. This song is covered, along with others on the album Dead Dog’s Eyeball, by Kathy McCarty, Daniel’s onetime girlfriend. Kathy’s somewhat jazzy, yet soulful, and bittersweet version of this tune lends itself to playing in a smoky nightclub or on a rainy afternoon with a cup of coffee. Kathy’s voice is beautiful and recognizes the heartache Daniel felt when composing this song. The unrequited love he felt for Laurie Allen, a young, beautiful woman he met in college, inspires this tune, and so many others of Daniel’s. Laurie was a friend, and she married a funeral director and moved away. All of this became grist for Daniel’s songs and artwork. Listen to this song and appreciate its inspiration and enjoy the heartfelt, yet whimsical lyrics. You’ll understand why a person can get close to someone yet still be so far away. This is my new favorite song.

Greetings -- I Suppose

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:03:00 +0000

I hate buying cards. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, glad you didn’t die —— it’s a chore. There never seems to be an appropriate message inside, or the artwork is simply silly, or meaningless. Happy Anniversary: here’s a couple sitting in a canoe on a lake. Get well soon: here’s a dog wearing a cast on one of its legs. Haha! I’d rather flee a swarm of angry wasps, or accidentally walk in on a Satanic human sacrifice than shop for a card. Like I said, I hate buying cards, and if you get one from me, either my wife bought it, or I must really, really like you.

Swing On By Emergency Room

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:49:00 +0000

At first, I thought that this was a joke. It’s a serious toy set sold on Amazon, and it came up in my feed. Any parent who buys this for their kids either loves visiting the emergency room or hates their children. Seriously, a swing hung from a tension bar in a doorway? First, when we were kids, we treated swing sets like launch pads to the moon. We would pump hard enough so that we swung back and forth higher than the bar. And what kid wouldn’t be tempted to jump off the damn thing, whether it’s indoors or outside? Crash! Right into the China cabinet. Or the kid jumps and flies through a plate-glass window. Even if nothing else, the kid swings high enough to bonk their head on the ceiling. Also, do you think that flimsy tension bar is strong enough to not break off? We used to rock the entire swing set hard enough to pull the poles out of the ground. Even if the parents have the skills and tools to install it properly, the molding trim around the door will rip off, sending the kid flying. Put the swing aside and look at what comes with it: a knotted rope and a rope ladder. Watch the kids accidentally hang themselves with the knotted rope while playing a 21st century version of Tarzan. Also, count the minutes until the kids get the idea to dangle the rope ladder out of a window to scale down the side of their house and then plunge to their death. Amazing. Do I sound like a parent, or what? I survived childhood in the 1960s and 1970s when playgrounds culled the weak and unlucky from the herd. Concrete, steel, and scraped knees are what I remember. Because of that, I know what my friends and I would do with this home swing set and ropes. If my siblings and I had this set when we were young, our parents would have invested in their own ambulance. I don’t want kids to play survival games like we did when we were young. Oh Lord.

*Originally posted on my Facebook page 12/14/2021

Surprise! People Seen Reading in a Bookstore

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:36:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I bought a new wallet. As per standard operating procedure, I waited a while before I went through the task of switching everything from my old wallet to the new one. It’s always a surprise as to what I will find buried inside that I had completely forgotten I had. In this case I discovered a Barnes and Noble gift card. I can’t remember where I got it from or who gave it to me. Anyway, I went to the bookstore and was surprised to see that not only was the store packed, people were buying books. Yes. The lost art of reading seems to be making a comeback— a least from my perspective. It was refreshing to see folks in the comfy chairs with an open book in their hands. I bought a copy of Bhagavad Gita and felt happier because the internet, cell phones, iPads, and online apps have a tenacious, enduring competitor — books.

*Originally posted on my Facebook page 1/15/2022

Urgh! A Memory Returns

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:21:00 +0000

Urgh! A Music War came out in 1981. However, I did not see it until years later. The film features bands I like and some I don’t. There are songs here I enjoy live, but I don’t care for the studio version. However, while the film and the album are out of circulation, loyal fans have curated videos of the film on YouTube. Damn, time has flown by. I graduated high school in 1981 and this movie and the music brings me back to the halls of Copiague Senior High School during the age of typical teen rebellion and planning for the future. While I don’t want to wander down a treacly path of nostalgia, I need to pull up the covers and warm myself to the memories of my youth now and then. If you get a chance, look up the videos on YouTube and sink into your teens again. Then look forward to a brighter future.

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:14:00 +0000

I often set three or four alarms five minutes apart so I am sure to wake up. However, when asking Siri to set the alarms she relentlessly announces that she set the alarm. Her tone is so triumphant and proud that it annoys me. And telling me that she set the alarm when I can see that it is done is really unnecessary. So, tonight when I was trying to get her to set an alarm she kept congratulating herself for doing so. I told her, rather rudely to shut the f*ck up. So she went ahead and set a shut the f*ck up alarm for 5:55 am.

Nice Job, Deskjet!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:11:00 +0000

Whenever I replace an ink cartridge, my printer insists on printing a test page. Every time? How about getting it right the first time? What am I supposed to do with these results when they come out? “Nice job, HP Deskjet 2755e! I knew you could do it!” I think it’s nothing but another way for the printer companies to get you to waste ink and buy more. And don’t get me started as to why ink cartridges cost more money than what I spent on the printer.

Finding Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 14:23:00 +0000

Buy "The Art of God" on Amazon.

Finding Faith

This past Easter, I was talking with acquaintances at my son’s lacrosse game. When asked if I was going to church, I fumbled as did not know what to say. The answer was no, and the moment of awkwardness did not pass quickly. They could not know that my struggle with faith was more germane in my life at that moment than ever before.

When my father was alive, I could refer to him and say that he had enough devotion for his entire family. We attended mass when we visited him, or when he came to our home for the weekend, I took him to our church. When he died, those opportunities vanished, and so did my connection to the church.

Dad was the spiritual leader of our family. My parents would bring their six children to Our Lady of the Assumption each Sunday, as it was their duty to do so. I modeled my belief in God after theirs: stoic, unquestioned, and rooted in the rites and traditions of holy days and holidays. In my teenage years, I rebelled and questioned my belief in God as only an insolent seventeen-year-old could. It was natural to me that if I were to challenge my parents, I too would turn from the Lord as the ultimate affront to my mother and father and their beliefs.

As a parent, I made sure that my kids each received their sacraments, and that made my father happy, as he was glad that we at least gave our children a chance to find their own faith. After my mother died, I would take my father to the five o’clock mass each Saturday when he came to stay with us. During this period, I learned that my father’s belief in God was not some habit drilled into him as a boy while attending catholic school. His conviction struck him during WWII on a battlefield in Italy when he had been shot and left for dead. In a magical coincidence, he awoke as he was being administered last rites by an army chaplain. He thought he had died, and when he looked at the face of the man praying over him, clad in olive drab and holding a prayer book, he recognized him to be a priest from back home. From then on, he knew deep within his heart that he was alive, and that God willed it so.

There was no such calling for me. When I pray, it is as though I am poking my head into a large, empty, darkened room and calling out to no one. The only light is a sliver sneaking in from behind me. From time to time, I check in to see if someone answered or if he left a note on the door for me. But, right now there is nothing beyond that entrance except empty space.

Maybe soon, during the next holiday season, as Christmas music fills the shopping malls and the radio airwaves, I’ll rap on the door again. Perhaps no one will answer, but I will keep returning. There will be an answer one day when I call out. I have faith.

The Mystery of the Autographed Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:19:00 +0000

I found this on the internet. Very interesting. This was uploaded to a site by station14.cebu. I am not sure if that is someone's username, or if it denotes a location. Cebu is in the Philippines. The real mystery is how one of my autographed copies ended up in the Philippines. #novel #book #booklovers #author #autograph #thedaddyrock #fiction #fictionbooks

The History Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 16:42:00 +0000

My Dad was more than a lover of books. He was an amateur historian. His library included titles covering WWI, WWII, steam engines, ships (Dad had always wanted to be a ship captain), birds (he was also a birdwatcher), and the Civil War. In addition, he shared his passion for reading with our mother, who typically sat in the living room after supper with a cup of hot tea and a mystery. My siblings and I became accustomed to shelves of literature and history books crammed into every corner of our tiny Cape Cod style home. A professor at a renowned university praised my father’s extensive knowledge of American history, stating that he knows more than the average history professor.

It should have been no surprise the number of books we accounted for in our parents’ home after dad passed away in May 2009. While searching for a box in a crawlspace with a flashlight, I stumbled upon a collection of documents that were significant because they connected to my father’s past occupation.

I dragged the flimsy, cardboard box from the eaves and into my old bedroom. Dripping with sweat and covered in dust, I eyed the contents, which at first glance seemed unimpressive. Many were reports, plain blue and gray government documents. One title grabbed me. On the pale blue cover, in all capital letters across the top, the title said, The United States Strategic Bomb Survey. Underneath, the subtitle read, The Effects of Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The words Atomic Bombs were in a much larger font size than the rest of the text.

Other booklets caught my attention, too. The End of the War in the Pacific, Surrender Documents in Facsimile, Germany Surrenders Unconditionally, International Military Trials, Nurnberg, and most impressive, Charter of the United Nations, in five languages. There were about two dozen of these government publications. Their numismatic value is uncertain, their historic significance indisputable, but their worth as family heirlooms, enormous.

Details about how my father came to own this collection of historic papers are sketchy. He worked for the US Navy in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for twenty years. Dad took the job of forklift driver in his late twenties. He was ill for years after his discharge from the army in November 1944, battling pneumonia and various infections–all complications from his wounds, and much more manageable with today’s medicines. There, he took advantage of the many education opportunities offered both by the Navy and through the GI Bill. He studied accounting, management, and mechanics. By the end of his twenty-year tenure, he worked in an office as a labor liaison between the unions and the government. The records of his employment gave few clues how he would gain access to this trove of government journals. In another box, I discovered a newspaper. The Navy published a weekly newspaper for its employees. On the front page, in the lower, right-hand corner, I noticed a picture of a group of men and women in business attire. Among the names mentioned in the caption was my father’s He was in the back row, taller than many of them, smiling, and according to the description, named to the NSA Library Committee.

As a member of a library commission, he could easily acquire the items I uncovered in his home. However, I have not confirmed if the NSA organization he worked for was indeed the National Security Agency, or a defunct branch of the government. Perhaps I don’t want to unravel the mystery surrounding my father’s trove of important booklets. The tiny enigma accompanying them adds an aura to the memory of my father as a man who had influence above the ordinary capacity of a lower-middle-class family man. I think my father kept these because of their historical importance. I’m certain he knew I would find and value them as he did before he passed away. If only he had told me about them earlier, I wouldn’t have had to go through the trouble of getting them from the dusty eaves.

The Art of God Published!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 11:54:00 +0000

The Art of God is now available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and on Kindle!

Alan Vaughn and his wife, Janet, got into a car accident. Janet dies in the crash, and Alan is in a coma. When he awakens, he believes God wishes for him to carve a work of art. Alan starts the project with unfamiliar tools and skills, enduring pain from his crash injuries. Alan finishes his artwork, which inspires deep devotion in others, and he loses his faith. Those who want more of his work, and reporters who are looking to tell his story, pursue Alan. Alan distances himself from his art and begins a personal journey to find God again. #god #catholic #religion #religiousfiction #crucifix #Alan Vaughn and his wife, Janet, got into a car accident. Janet dies in the crash, and Alan is in a coma. When he awakens, he believes God wishes for him to carve a work of art. Alan starts the project with unfamiliar tools and skills, enduring pain from his crash injuries. Alan finishes his artwork, which inspires deep devotion in others, and he loses his faith. Those who want more of his work, and reporters who are looking to tell his story, pursue Alan. Alan distances himself from his art and begins a personal journey to find God again.

Amazon Review: The Heart of Velletri

noreply@blogger.com (Michael J. Kannengieser) — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 11:34:00 +0000

The Heart of Velletri spans three generations of a Long Island family, mainly focusing on the most recent as the son and grandson comes to terms with the legacy of his criminal grandfather, whom he never knew, and his father, whom he deeply admired. He eventually learns of his father's experiences in World War II but more importantly engages his father's legacy as a guide to his own complicated life.

The book weaves the generations together in an often painfully honest exploration of the central character's coming to terms with his identity as a man, as a son, as a father, and as a husband. Although the book's focus is almost exclusively on its male characters, it gives a strong and credible sense of troubled growth. - William G. Luhr

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