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In 1958, I dropped out of school to join the Army. Following an honorable discharge in 1961, I returned to Europe. I remained there for most of the next fifteen years, residing in Germany and Ireland, working as a truck driver, bar manager and clerk. I traveled extensively including trips to Turkey where I fell in love with the country, its people and culture.
On the GI Bill, I studied international literature at the Heidelberg campus of Schiller International University and earned a master’s degree in counseling from Ball State University’s overseas program. After returning to the States, in the late seventies, I obtained certification as a family therapist and chemical addictions specialist. My professional work has included working with juvenile and adult offenders, Native Americans, and geriatric patients in Washington State.
After retiring, I published my first novel, Abraham’s Burden, a story centered on the troubled life of Vietnam War veteran, Charlie Abraham, which deals with alcoholism, Native American culture, racism, and the justice system.
Fall In, Fall Out: The Dogface Years is a coming-of-age memoir covering the time of my enlistment in the military with my identical twin brother.
Both books are available, along with BEGOTTEN, on AMAZON and have received multiple excellent reader reviews.
I’m preparing to release another novel soon.
My wife and I reside in western Washington State. I have two adult children, two grandchildren, and a precious great grandson.
I am an avid fly-fisherman and enjoy painting watercolors and writing poetry.
Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In Begotten by Joseph Crew, when American history professor Adam Cantwell is asked to deliver a BMW to Turkey for his friend, he agrees knowing it is the perfect opportunity to escape his complex personal life in the summer of 1994. Adam's marriage to Gaby is heading for divorce and his affair with a German graduate student has its own set of problems. As Adam travels from Germany through war-torn Yugoslavia towards Turkey, he realizes his car is being followed. On arrival in Turkey, Adam is kidnapped by Kurdish separatists who believe he can further their cause. When they realize he has no bargaining power, they release him. Adam believes his ordeal is over but is then questioned by the Turkish police and he becomes entangled in the country's political problems. Adam's personal life becomes even more complicated when he falls in love with someone who may have been involved in his kidnapping.
Begotten by Joseph Crew is an incredibly compelling story with such layered characters and an intriguing storyline. The details of the characters' backstories are cleverly revealed through great narrative and beautifully flowing dialogue. As a frequent traveler from the UK to Bulgaria, I loved the historical references and information about the countries he traveled through. In particular, the reign of the Ottoman Empire and the background to the conflict in Yugoslavia was a real education for me. The novel also includes a great analysis of human psychology, recent political and social issues, and the lessons that can be learned by the behavior of those throughout history. There are so many great sub-plots to this story and the way the author has managed to weave them all together so effortlessly was admirable. There are many twists to this story too and the tension, intrigue, and suspense made this an absolute page-turner.
