T.M. Doran, formerly an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit School of Engineering, has a Master of Science Degree from Purdue University. This book is the culmination of 25 years of exploring the history and ideologies of the 20th century, along with a lifelong passion for the mystery genre. He has been a contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, and the Detroit Free Press.Born in Long Beach, California, the author has lived the great majority of his life in Michigan.Doran is an engineer and educator and commentator in the public arena, having had hundreds of articles and letters published in local and national publications on subjects ranging from moral and ethical issues, to the interface of science and society, to environmental and public health issues, to politics. He earned the Purdue University Alumni Achievement Award for his work in the engineering profession, is a partner in the 95-year old firm of Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc., and has been a university professor. He and Sherry have been married for 34 years and have four children: Angela (Brandon), Brendan (Stephanie), Elise, and Javier (Irantzu) (their Basque son); also, three beautiful grandchildren: Zachary, Declan, and Noah.The author has had a lifelong affection for The Lord of the Rings, not just as a rousing story but, especially, for its profound insights into human nature, human weakness, and virtue.