Terminal Junction

by Steven Dushan Milakov

"Terminal Junction" presents a literary portrait of America's Heartland during the late forties and fifties. The result is a look at the American Dream in a unique period, and one that began to shape national values and concerns in the latter half of the century. The author uses both narrative descriptive and fictional short story techniques to recreate the era in describing the ethnic, blue collar neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas, where he grew up. His work is also laced with colorful recollections of growing up own among his own ethnic Serbian people. Ironically, his look into their past offers interesting and contemporary clues in explaining the defiance of a Balkan society that was to entangle the nation, and the world, in conflict at the turn of the century in Kosovo. Completing the circle, the author returns to his hometown after more than fifty years to offer a journalist's observations on what has changed. His discoveries lead to an uneasy truce between his vivid memories and the harsh realities of the present. "Terminal Junction" is a must read for students of American culture and values, and the role of ethnic contributions. In addition, to those interested in better understanding the power of the Heartland in influencing and shaping the nation's destiny.

233 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2001