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Painted Rock
Life in the rural Midwest during the 1930s was not far removed from life of the white first settlers who arrived in the bountiful wilderness in the mid-1800s. But the self-sufficient, peaceful lifestyle changed when progress, in the form of hydro-electric power, came to the wilderness.
The Painted Rock represents of clash of cultures and people, told through the lives of characters caught up in this herculean effort to bring electricity to the Central Highlands. This setting is the backdrop for romance between two people from different backgrounds tossed together by the relentless wheel of progress. A young woman from the city must confront the most difficult personal and professional challenges of her life, as she seeks success in a male-dominated world. Her lover sees his land and his way of life threatened by the planned Central Highlands Dam. He must choose between a controversial relic from the past and the promises of a modern world with the woman he loves.
This story also brings together the ambitious businessmen willing to risk fortunes on the promise of progress, with the local inhabitants who must sell their way of life for the promises of a better future for their children. Underlying this upheaval are the downtrodden laborers and their families, seeking work and a chance at a future. Their sweat built the great dams, but their stories have been lost to history.
The Painted Rock represents of clash of cultures and people, told through the lives of characters caught up in this herculean effort to bring electricity to the Central Highlands. This setting is the backdrop for romance between two people from different backgrounds tossed together by the relentless wheel of progress. A young woman from the city must confront the most difficult personal and professional challenges of her life, as she seeks success in a male-dominated world. Her lover sees his land and his way of life threatened by the planned Central Highlands Dam. He must choose between a controversial relic from the past and the promises of a modern world with the woman he loves.
This story also brings together the ambitious businessmen willing to risk fortunes on the promise of progress, with the local inhabitants who must sell their way of life for the promises of a better future for their children. Underlying this upheaval are the downtrodden laborers and their families, seeking work and a chance at a future. Their sweat built the great dams, but their stories have been lost to history.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 28, 2026
This was an enjoyable read!
August 22, 2025
Enjoyable Read
I liked the flow of this book. There were many interesting characters and they were all developed in enough detail to complement the main characters and the main story line. It is obvious that Mr. Bax has expended a lot of effort in researching the history of this environment.
I found this book interesting and enjoyable. Hopefully this is just the first offering from this author.
I liked the flow of this book. There were many interesting characters and they were all developed in enough detail to complement the main characters and the main story line. It is obvious that Mr. Bax has expended a lot of effort in researching the history of this environment.
I found this book interesting and enjoyable. Hopefully this is just the first offering from this author.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews