Publisher's Synopsis
THE EVIL EMPIRE OF CAL SCHANK. (c) Synopsis by Author Lionel A.W. Domreis This story takes place in 1950. World War II had just ended 5 years before. It is a story of an Overseas Veteran (myself) who returns from 3 years in the Pacific. His wife has deserted him, and wouldn't even see him. . Later I was discharged from the Big Army Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif. . Now it is the Municipal Golf Course. So for Humor, I have said on occasion, where I was discharged from the Service, is now a Sand Trap. (Could Be) Later, I moved to Santa Barbara, to get away from Portland, and the unfaithful wife. It is a truly Beautiful Coastal City about 100 miles North of Los Angeles.) Population-under 100,000. Wish I was there now. First History Lesson is Santa Barbara was discovered by the famous Spanish explorer, "Cabrillo" in the late 1400's. The Beautiful street running alongside the ocean is fittingly named "Cabrillo Blvd. It became famous to the Spanish Vessels because not only did it have a safe harbor, but the HARBOR WAS LOADED WITH TAR, TO TAR THEIR SHIPS. . At one time in the past 50 years OIL RIGS BY THE DOZENS WERE CLOSE TO THE SHORE. (Perhaps a dozen years ago I spent a month on a beach 13 miles south of Santa Barbara, and you could not walk on that beach without getting Tar all over your bare feet, or shoes) Second History Lesson. It was claimed prior to World War II, every big name in American Industry owned a home in Santa Barbara. Those Business Tycoons, either owned or had access to Big 60 foot Private Rail Cars. Even in cold winter weather it only took a couple of days, to reach Sunny Santa Barbara, from Cold Chicago. Women dressed in formals, men in Tuxedos for dinner on those cars. PRIVATE JETS DON'T EVEN HAVE THAT TODAY. Beautiful Yachts can sail out of Santa Barbara, all winter, as well. Nice, Huh? The cool summer ocean breezes made Santa Barbara a true Paradise. I have long envied the time of Luxurious Passenger Trains, and while Train Travel has seriously gone down hill, in the spring of 2002 I traveled from Portland to Los Angeles, and Amtrak chose me as "The Most Interesting Person on that Trip." Took pictures of me, etc. I have traveled extensively on Trains for well over 50 years. Never in a private car. As a writer of four full length Mystery Novels, I am also a reader of over 2,000.Novels, The Chinese play the part of highly intelligent businessmen who help bring justice. Most people do not recognize ANZAC DAY. It is "The Australian New Zealand Army Corp. Memorial Day. The Aussie's are Patriotic. In this Novel, the Aussie Navy make a major rescue in South America, of a Northern Australian Girl & Her Father. Justice Triumphs. in a Dramatic Courtroom Scene, very brief, very unusual. See Page 285. I actually held the job of Business Manger as the Hero in this story does, and lived at the address in the Novel, 430 Bath Street. (Even Oprah today owns an Estate in Santa Barbara) There is a beautiful love story of Santa Barbara Physician & the Villains ex-wife. In my youth, my Mother helped look after an English Nanny, with a Club Foot, that never made over $10.00 a Month. Her name was Jenny Gee. So I gave Jenny the name of Maude, and let her come out of extreme poverty. WITH SUCH A HAPPY AND COMPLETE CONCLUSION, I TRUST THIS STORY will leave you with a song in your heart. And a desire to read "Decent Novels for Seniors" I served in the first Infantry Division to go overseas in World War II, going from a Healthy 175 pounds to 110 pounds, in the Jungles of the South Pacific. In the Battle of Buna, Papua New Guinea, out of 10,000 men, in 60 days, over 3,000 dead, and 100% Casualties. (Read any Time-Life Book on the South Pacific) and see the pictures of the first American Dead. World War II.
