A smalltown farmboy born in the mud learns he is destined for something more. His launch into space on the Vostok reads like a storybook. The light of his first flight glows even now, but what does the light blind us to? Can we separate the shi

An Unstoppable Force

Jul 16th, 2017 18m 11s

A traditional game, and the players who play it, meet their toughest foe yet. John Fairbairn and T. Mark Hall's "The Go Companion" informed the meat of this story. Also useful was the Sensei's Library, at http://senseis.xmp.net/. Music-wise

Heart of the Sunrise, Mvmt 2 (Daedalus)

Jul 1st, 2017 24m 3s

The Space Race heats up, and the internal Soviet power struggle begins. A man who yearns for the stars finally, after years of struggle, gets the chance to join them. But progress requires sacrifice. Hopefully the Chief Designer made the right

Heart of the Sunrise, Mvmt 3 (Icarus)

Jun 1st, 2017 27m 58s

The man who was a shadow to the rest of the world becomes very real only after his star turns to cinders. Waves of confusion, malice, sorrow, and ambition rock both space programs. The Soviet Union sees a golden opportunity to break the back o

Heart of the Sunrise, Finale (... And the Waves)

May 1st, 2017 24m 54s

A fallen Cosmonaut returns home. Another one follows him. We learn that the whole story is never the whole story . . . unless it is. I used "Escaping the Bonds of Earth: The fifties and sixties" by Ben Evans and "Rockets and People Vol 3" by B

The Jonestown Flood, Mvmt 1 (Love in the Time of Prophets)

Apr 1st, 2017 14m 6s

This is the first in a 4-part series of the events leading up to Jonestown's end in 1978. An ambitious and principled young lawyer meets a smart and charming college student as the '60s gave way to the '70s. As they'll learn, the rushing waters

The Jonestown Flood, Mvmt 2 (Family)

Mar 1st, 2017 14m 13s

Tim and Grace thrive in the Temple as their life together withers. The seeds of tragedy are sown, and a child is born that will decide the fate of hundreds. Regret is a Colorado cottage. I leaned heavily on "Marked for Death" by Timothy Oliver

The Jonestown Flood, Mvmt 3 (Nemesis)

Feb 1st, 2017 13m 58s

A mysterious death at a trainyard sets far larger wheels rolling. Battle lines are drawn, an army is formed, and Congressman Leo Ryan prepares an investigation. This one was mostly "Raven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People

The Lion's last ride

Jan 5th, 2017 13m 41s

Emperor Haile Selassie catches the last train out of Ethiopia. His mission: to remind the old powers that they made a promise. Main sources were King of Kings: The Triumph and Tragedy of Emperor Haile Selassie 1 of Ethiopia by Asfa-Wossen Ass

The Jonestown Flood, Finale (The Ark)

Jan 1st, 2017 30m 40s

Tim and Grace accompany a hard-charging Congressman into a confrontation with Jim Jones. Journalists, lawyers, relatives, and anchormen all gaze into the abyss. The sun is a harsh mistress. This one was entirely "Raven: The Untold Story of t

Nimrod

Dec 21st, 2016 14m 17s

An old composer and a young singer meet under the shadow of the Great War. When a world is shattered, pieces of it live on. I mainly used Lena Ashwell: Actress, Painter, Pioneer and Elgar's Baritone, along with other selections from the jo

The Village on the Cove

Dec 7th, 2016 13m 39s

An ancient family and a seedy port town take the high road to redemption. Fate brings an uninvited guest. He has other plans. Mostly inspired by Des Ekins's The Stolen Village. Full list of sources available at https://www.theendspodcast.com