New Madrid

(Paperback)

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While California has the reputation for being at high risk for earthquakes, the largest earthquake in U.S. history was the New Madrid Fault in central Tennessee. In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid earthquake was so violent that the Mississippi River flowed backward for three days, creating Reelfoot lake, which today is a refuge for bald eagles.

The New Madrid fault is long overdue for another earthquake. This is the story of a catastrophic earthquake hitting the Memphis, TN area. The subsequent damage that would occur is portrayed in highly accurate scientific detail. Only the structures that were built or retrofitted to withstand a major earthquake are left undamaged.

But as important as the events are leading up to the earthquake and during the earthquake, what happens after the dust settles is even more important. It is the story that have not given up hope and faith. It is a story of how people and organizations seem to be at their best when things are at their worst. The relief efforts, the unselfish and tireless rescue workers that risk injury and even death to save people they have never met and may never meet again, is truly inspirational. It is also the story of the invaluable use of K-9 dogs who sniff out and find the injured in the rubble and are responsible for saving countless lives.

Robert C. Klesges, Ph.D. lives in the Memphis area and has lived in the Mid South most of his adult life. As such, his knowledge of the region gives tremendous authenticity to the book. He has had the honor of adopting two U.S. Air Force retired Military Working Dogs. These dogs are indeed as dedicated, loyal, and intelligent as the dog is in this book. Anyone that still have faith and hope and the people of this great country will conclude this book is a testimonial to the people of this great nation.

Author Bio

Robert C. Klesges, Ph.D. is a Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia Medical School. He has published hundreds of scientific articles and has given countless presentations both in the United States and internationally. He is part of a research team with active scientific funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. This scientific background was extremely helpful in detailing the technical aspects of this scientifically plausible novel. He lives in the Memphis TN area and has adopted two retired Air Force military working dogs so he knows first hand how intelligent, affectionate, and dedicated these special animals are. He has lived in Memphis most of his adult life and so the entities and organizations within the novel are real and accurately portrayed. The characters within these organizations, however, are fictitious. This is his first novel.