Ride to Glory: The People v. Charles Robert Darwin: An American Novel

Gutsy Ph. D candidate and independent thinker, Joshua Chamberlain Ryan, is cast as "star" witness, inadvertently pitting him against major Professor Karl Striker, devout defender of Darwinian doctrine. He thumbs his nose at Darwin's speculations and puts his academic with the courage of the Biblical Joshua attacking Jericho. Off-stage, the young "star's" week-in-the-sun encounters roller coaster emotional highs and lows-including a reckless Ride to Glory astride the family's Arabian mount. Not until the tumultuous week's end do the bleak fortunes of Josh Ryan swing in his favor, thanks to a stellar Monkey II performance and a manipulative grandmother who dexterously laces, pulls and ties string of intrigue. Josh discovers passionate romance with glamorous Monkey II co-star, Traci Kilburn, while his estranged, socialite grandmother, Lady Carrington, picks this week of surprises to disclose long concealed family secrets in a poignant mission of reconciliation.… (more)