When Michael wrote his first novel, Northern Colors, he had no idea the story of the Weldon family would extend beyond the timeframe of the American Civil War. With the addition of Colors in the Air and Colors in the Earth, the family saga now includes the World Wars of the twentieth century. Michael is continuing to write on the generations of this American family that has offered itself on the "Altar of Freedom". Michael has also written another Civil War novel, Wisconsin Iron, and a non-fiction work on the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry entitled The Boys of Wasioja. Michael himself served four years of his life in the U S Navy toward the end of the Vietnam era. He is now retired from Federal service, having spent nearly thirty additional years in the U S Postal Service. Michael enjoys studying military history and visiting many of the places he writes about. He also speaks numerous times each month to various types of groups about some of the history he uncovers; most often as a Civil War officer or a World War II news correspondent.