The Secret of the Glass Mountains
Young Adult Adventure Novel by James N. Bade
Published by World Castle Publishing, Florida, 2019
Writers Plot Best Seller
Three university students have been chosen to take part in a 2019 United Nations special mission to delve into the significance of a chart discovered in archives near Berlin. The three students – Jake, a History major and a member of the University of Oklahoma wrestling team, Tom, a German and Politics major who plays cricket for Waitakere in Auckland, New Zealand, and Luise, a German literature major also taking yoga classes at the Free University of Berlin – first meet up at the UN Headquarters in New York, then travel to Berlin to inspect the chart. Under close examination by the students, the chart reveals that a crucial message from the German novelist Theodor Fontane for the future of humankind has been deposited somewhere in Oklahoma near the Indian Territory Mennonite station where Fontane set his 1890 novel Quitt. Following the clues they find, Jake, Luise and Tom climb the Glass Mountains in Oklahoma to view the sun reflecting off the mountains at the exact time of the summer solstice. What they then discover as their adventures unfold is indeed a critical message for all humanity. But are there people who want it to remain a secret?
James N. Bade, Professor Emeritus of German at the University of Auckland, lives in Wellington, New Zealand. When he’s not busy reading and writing about novels by his favourite German authors or witnessing declarations as Justice of the Peace, he enjoys supporting his sons in their various pursuits, driving his restored 1916 Dodge Roadster, running his own music radio station, and travelling with his wife around New Zealand, the Pacific, the United States and Europe.
Reader Feedback on
The Secret of the Glass Mountains
“I really enjoyed it! Nice message for such a divisive time, and set in so many places.” – Chet, Bethany, Oklahoma
“What a great combination of those three places.” – Mark, Kansas
“Congratulations on a fine novel!” – John, Tempe, Arizona
“The book has a great sense of place; very disparate environments are conjured up beautifully. Engaging, and refreshing.” – Juliet, Karori, NZ
“James Bade’s Secret of the Glass Mountains is fun to read. It inspires readers to travel worldwide, learn languages, aim at excellence in multidisciplinary academics, and read more books by Theodor Fontane.” – Lutz, Amrum, Germany
“The detailed descriptions of locations in Oklahoma, Potsdam and Auckland are like a guide book to those places. The narrative brings together action, literature and culture in an appealing way.” – Michael, Wellington, NZ
“What fun! I enjoyed the settings and characters a lot!” – Carlisle, York, Western Australia
“Well plotted. The story keeps you going – I like all the details of streets and routes, in the thriller tradition. You learn a lot of history. I feel as if I’ve been on a happy journey.” – Kirsty, Lake District, UK
“I enjoyed it very much – a great combination of good story, interesting settings and a compelling mystery.” – Margaret, Wellington, NZ
“Makes interesting and exciting reading! I like the way the different cultures are brought together. The precise descriptions remind me of Adalbert Stifter. And the message leads into deep theological and psychological topics.” – Ueli, Müntschemier, Switzerland
“I was impressed with the intricate and clever structure, and the very original idea behind the plot. Really very readable. A possible sequel in the pipeline, I wondered at the end?” – Helen, Wellington, NZ
“I enjoyed the book and descriptions of the places – an interesting tale.” – John, Dunedin, NZ
“Interesting way of pulling together three different countries to present the case for Theodor Fontane’s ideas. Made me investigate a bit more about him and his thoughts.” – Keith, Paraparumu, NZ
“An intriguing read with lots of interesting details en route to solving the mystery.” – George, Nelson, NZ
“I liked the way historical events are woven throughout the story and how they relate to our lives. At last a book for teenagers that shows through historical evidence the stupidity of war, wrapped around a jolly good story.” – Lynda, Stokes Valley, NZ