Cave Books, 270 pages, English, Hardbound or Softbound editions.
Nonfiction historical novel

Hardbound: CHF 29.–; Euro 21.–

Softbound (paperback): CHF 21.–; Euro 15.–

Like most slaves in early America, Stephen Bishop dreamed of freedom. But when his master brought him to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky in 1838, he found a new obsession-- exploring the vast reaches of what would one day be the world's longest cave.

Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar: Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave is based on the true story of America's first great cave explorer, whose magnificent discoveries helped pave the way for Mammoth Cave to become a national park a century later. As a guide, Stephen was extraordinarily popular with tourists, and his reputation spread throughout the United States and Europe. Written from the perspective of his wife, Charlotte, this carefully researched novel combines adventure, history, humor, and romance. Indeed, it is a fascinating tale of two unforgettable slaves whose passion for each other, and for the cave below, made it possible for them to endure an otherwise intolerable existence.

About the Author:

Roger W. Brucker has coauthored four nonfiction books about caves in the Mammoth Cave area. He is an Honorary Life Fellow of the National Speleological Society and winner of its highest honors, including the 2004 Spelean History Award and 2009 Arts & Letters Award. He is a founder and past president of the Cave Research Foundation. For 25 years he taught the Speleology course for Western Kentucky University at Mammoth Cave National Park. He has been called one of the greatest cave adventure writers.

Speleo Projects offers other books by Roger Brucker:

–The Longest Cave

–Beyond Mammoth Cave

Another book mentioning Stephen Bishop:

–Rambles in the Mammoth Caves During the Year 1844