Former Scott Man Publishes 3rd Book

September 29, 2005

Former Scott Countian William Allen Strunk, now a retired teacher in Maryville, has published his third book, Good Hearted Man, which is now available at Oneida Book & Gift in Oneida Plaza.

The book is published by the Harris Literary Agency in San Diego, California, and follows two earlier self-published books, Real and Forever Home and The Gardener’s Grandson.

Strunk, who spent his early years in the coal mining community of Stearns, Kentucky, uses a company-owned mining town as the setting for his rags-to-riches tale of Andy Wilson, and his relationship with his father, Ben Wilson.

The story opens with a grown Andy at his father’s hospital death bed in the fictional smalltown of Claiborne, Ky., remembering his growing up years and the role his father played during those years. And that’s where the story begins in earnest . . . Andy’s memories of the mining town where he grew up and the control mine company owner and Claiborne, Ky. founder James Claiborne has over him and his family as well all of the tiny town’s inhabitants.

Andy is one of five brothers who, despite the poverty they grow up in, all develop into hard-working, honest and caring individuals. Andy is the first in his family to graduate from high school, and eventually college, and he also follows his father’s footsteps with a stint in the Marine Corps and service during time of war.

It’s a story with which many if not most Scott Countians can relate to—not only as far as its setting is concerned, but also for its characters, most of whom are wholesome mountain men and women with more pride than possessions.

And because we here in the hills of Scott County can relate to the setting and characters as revealed by the author, we begin to think that we can also predict what will happen. But plan on being surprised by the book’s ending. Andy’s struggle to find his way in life—and the success he achieves—lead him back home to find a bride, untangle a mystery, and uncover a deception of which he had no clue. Through it all, the “Good Hearted Man” who is dying of black lung disease manifests himself in the life of his son.

Strunk’s novel is a good read . . . and is obviously one which took a lot of thought and planning to structure. You get to know his characters because you have friends and relatives just like them . . . and you begin to think like Andy, because you’ve had similar experiences in life. Good Hearted Man offers the reader a few hours of quality entertainment and more than a few lessons on life and living.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Knoxville News-Sentinel says, “William Allen Strunk has a talent and passion for telling his stories. As he was putting down roots in the soil of Appalachia, he was developing the foundation for what can only be described as a calling Perhaps its coincidence that Strunk, who shares his name with another noted teacher and writer, would find his niche as a novelist, telling stories drawn from his rich history. Then again, maybe it really is, quite literally, the career of a lifetime.”

William Allen Strunk, is a retired school teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts degree from Union College. He is a former Maryville City Schools “Teacher of the Year” and was honored by The University of Tennessee as an “Outstanding Public School Teacher."

He and his wife of 30 years, Kathy, live in Maryville. They have two sons.

newsroom@ihoneida.com

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