Published Works

Cover of Torrents
A Historical Novel

Torrents

A tragedy in Detective Felsen Krieger’s life hurls him into an emotional spiral that results in only one ambition—revenge. As he sinks deeper into depression and can only focus on vengeance, Fels is approached by a peace-filled young man who helps Fels see a need for a purpose in his life. Still, foremost in the detective’s mind is finding the individual responsible for his torment. In his pursuit of a suspect at Niagara Falls, Fels unexpectedly uncovers a possible German sabotage plot in the year leading up to America’s entry into World War I. He now must reorient his focus. What are the German saboteurs planning, and can he prevent them from carrying out their plans?

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Cover of The Blacksmith
A Historical Novel

The Blacksmith

A ten-year-old German immigrant comes of age in the town of La Porte, Indiana, in the early years of the 20th century. In his youth, Carl develops his talents as a blacksmith. His ability to visualize solutions leads him to become part of key development teams at the Rumely Company and, later, at Allis-Chalmers. Regrettably, his expertise at work is weighed against alcoholism and some bad choices. Looming over his weakness for drink is a German spy ring specifically targeting Carl to obtain plans for a secret project under development for the impending war. Unfortunately, Carl becomes embroiled in a situation which makes him appear to be a Nazi spy to his co-workers. In the events that follow, Carl is placed in grave danger while his past comes flashing back to him.

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Cover of Hill of the Bear
A Historical Novel

Hill of the Bear

Fourteen-year-old Clay Beckley comes of age in the Great American West in the 1890s. Leaving his home in La Porte, Indiana, Clay hops trains heading west to join an expedition to study the flora and fauna of the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona. This undertaking is headed by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, recently appointed head of what would become the Bureau of Biological Survey, the forerunner of today’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These rugged naturalists and scientists battled the elements, nature, disease, and man himself. Clay partners with a local named Carlos in New Mexico and undertakes his own expedition. A new course is charted for Clay at Cerro del Oso mountain, the Hill of the Bear.

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Cover of Recollections of a Museum Collector
First-hand Accounts of the Adventures of Charles M. Barber

Recollections of a Museum Collector

In the 1940s, at the urging of a colleague at the Field Museum, Charles M. Barber (1876-1954) penned the stories of his time as a museum collector in the American Southwest, Mexico and Guatemala. During the Victorian Age in America, a fascination with systems, order, and control created a desire to classify the natural world. In this era of rugged individuals embracing traditional values, libraries and museums were seen as civilizing entities. The role of the museum collector merged the rugged character with the rigor of the natural scientist to deliver our natural history to the masses. These are the stories of a young man whose first trip west in 1894 turned into a lifelong pursuit of natural history, zoology and paleontology.

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Cover of The Collector, the Guide and the Bone Digger
A Biography as Adventurous as a Movie - 2nd Edition

The Collector, the Guide and the Bone Digger

The original scope of this book was to provide a reproduction of the photos from a turn-of-the-century expedition into the rugged Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of Mexico led by Charles M. Barber (1876-1954). However, as details were added, the book developed into two distinct parts. This meant including the photo journal in its entirety as Part I of the book. It is unique and valuable in its own right, but it was just the beginning of the journey that Charley Barber seemed to have in mind for me. His role in this expedition was only a small part of a most fascinating, adventurous life that unfolded before me. Part II of the book is a biography of his bold life beyond his work as a guide as shown in the photo journal and into his world of collecting museum specimens.

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Cover of From New York to Indiana: A History of the Ira Barber Family Beginning in 1786
A Genealogy Brought to Life

From New York to Indiana: A History of the Ira Barber Family Beginning in 1786

We will see how Ira, a farmer and a blacksmith, charged headlong into the future when he moved his family into the country’s remote western reaches of Indiana in the late-1830s or early-1840s. He would have been in his fifties in age when he and his family made this move traveling on the Erie Canal and the Chicago Road to their destination in La Porte County, Indiana. Through the first five generations of Ira Barber's descendants, you will see true-hearted families with a strong work ethic and accomplished skills and trades.

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Cover of The Hilgendorf-Haag Connection
Two Families Brought Together in One Geneaolgy

The Hilgendorf-Haag Connection

A combined genealogy of the Hilgendorf and Haag families. With very different German beginnings, these two families merge in 1940 through the marriage of "Dutch" Hilgendorf and Leatha Haag.

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Cover of The Gifted Way to Manage Your Career
Faith-based Seasoned Career Guidance

The Gifted Way to Manage Your Career

The 5-Phase Career Model and faith-based principles help the reader establish a foundation to successfully begin, grow, and sustain a prosperous career. The work distinguishes a professional's value to a business from their inherent worth as a human being. Through the author’s personal insights, the reader will work through the issues and challenges faced in beginning a career, settling into new routines, finding their voice, expressing their voice, and leaving things better for those who follow their successes. The guidance applies at every stage of a career, from a graduate just beginning a new career to the seasoned executive who will find value in planning the remainder of their own career while guiding others in their developing careers.

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About the Author

I fell into the historical novel genre through the inspiration derived from my lifelong hobbies of genealogy, writing, and photography. My earlier works focused on my corporate successes ("The Gifted Way to Manage Your Career") and then on family histories ("From New York to Indiana" and "The Collector, the Guide and the Bone Digger").

I continued to combine my interests in genealogy and history in writing several other books relating to family histories. I have also helped others produce their own family histories by providing insight, direction, and skills in editing their works.

"Where history leaves blank pages, fiction gives voice to the men and women who lived through extraordinary times."

In 2019, I wrote my first novel ... of course, a historical novel, "Hill of the Bear." This has been followed by additional historical novels, often inspired by people and events from my own family history.

My wife Marti and I live in a small Midwestern town where we enjoy the community and the love of family.

Get in Touch

James P. Barber

Thank you for visiting. I am always very interested in hearing from readers and visitors. I have no form for you to fill out; I do not collect any of your personal information. Just drop me an email, and I will read it with interest and follow-up as needed.

I appreciate your support!

jim@jamespbarber.com James P. Barber Signature