Cy Butt was a real historical figure of the mid twentieth century--the quintessential professional student who actually attended the University in Madison for decades on a family inheritance. At the same time he was a legendary whiskey drinker, practical joker, and lawyer who did at one time work for the Wisconsin Attorney General. This book twists the dial one notch forward and makes Cy a sleuth and secret state investigator of cult murderers and thieves operating in Wisconsin in 1953. While a work of fiction, it does absorb elements of reality from such personalities as Ed Gein and such...

Two of the most controversial events in the history of Vernon County, Wisconsin -the 1946 speech by Gerald L. K. Smith and the 1888 lynching of mass murderer Andrew Grandstaf (both events taking place in Viroqua, near the courthouse) are linked, psychologically, in this second novel by John H. Sime. In the process, a sweeping portrait of local and national history is provided. Smith was a graduate of Viroqua High School, a spell-binding orator, and an American fascist and hate monger, who is still an inspiration to like-minded individuals. Grandstaff was the illegitimate son of the...

In the Summer of 1976, John Sime was among twenty-five young Americans serving in the U.S. Peace Corps sent to the West African republic of Mali. They were slated to teach English in the local school system. During the next two years, John kept a journal and wrote poetry depicting his experiences. After he returned to his hometown of Readstown, Wisconsin, his interest in Africa continued; he eventually returned to Mali in 2003 to see the changes that had taken place there. This journey resulted in more journal entries and more poems. Islamic militant terrorists seized control of half of Mali...