Sapulpa native Don Diehl’s writer’s historical fiction novel, “INVASIONS: ‘Killing of the Indian’” is now available for purchase. Diehl says The five-year project of “reading, researching, rambling and ‘riting” is a blockbuster for sure (one way or the other). “Seriously, whatever “list” it makes, we hope it’s on yours,” Diehl said in announcing the release date.
There have been a lot of inquiries about the project. Book-signings including one on Monday, June 21 on the lawn of Heart of Route 66 Museum in Sapulpa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Hemmings Great Race.
“Invasions” is the 12th book self-published by Diehl Publications but it is the first historical fiction novel for the writer.
The same day the proof copy arrived, the morning’s devotion shared by the Diehls read: “It doesn’t matter if your work is recognized by the whole world or only God sees it. It doesn’t matter if you are getting paid big bucks or receiving no financial compensation whatsoever. Your work is valuable. And you want it to be blessed by God.” — from Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian.
Still, the Diehls believe any reader will find the book unique.
“This book is several things,” Diehl says. “First, it is the story of a young traveler on horseback and train set in the late 1890s. Following the suggestion of his grandfather, Tomachichi Jon Harjo saddles up his horse Sagebrush and sets out to ‘go see the world.’ His adventures, as with the times, are a mixture of his excitement about life and his disappointment in the way life plays out for so many. He loves the Creator and His creation. Tommy has his detractors and has to defend his beliefs. All isn’t beautiful. The journey helps Tommy to sort the real from the—well, not so real; truth from lies; facts from fiction; and at Wounded Knee Creek, nearly loses his faith in God and man.
“Secondly, the book is a short history of the first American families who migrated to the continent and reproduced across North America. They lived and made life in wigwams of stream-side villages; in teepees of hunting encampments across plains and mountains; in cliff dwellings of agricultural centers; and sophisticated mound cities with well-developed governments. They developed political, religious and economic systems, as did societies in other parts of the world, sometimes to their detriment; enduring lifestyles, family values, cultures, and traditions. They made unto themselves, priests, prophets, kings, chiefs while trying to maintain the free voice of the individual, and always drawn to the truth of a Creator God — the supreme and Great Spirit.
“This book then focuses on the period of time beginning when those first Americans welcomed the European explorers (intruders and invaders) to their shores at the close of the 13th Century, through the fulfillment of a thing called “Manifest Destiny’’ at the close of the 19th century. This book is about INVASION!
“I could have chosen nearly any Indian tribe, but living in Muscogee (Creek) country it made sense to focus on the ‘Nation’ of which the author is most familiar,” Diehl said.
Diehl says there is plenty of opinion at least explored if not expressed in this work, “but [its] not our main purpose. Ours is a Christian world view of understanding ‘His Story’ and the history of man, especially of the man named “Indian.”
INVASIONS: ‘Killing of the Indian’ sells for $19.95 and will be available at the book signing on June 21st, or you can mail in a check plus $5.00 for shipping and handling to Don Diehl, 842 N. Ross, Sapulpa, OK 74066. Diehl says his first 200 copies will be autographed.
