My new book has been published and will be available soon from Amazon, Kindle, the local bookstore, or me.

J.D., my Great-Grandfather, lived from 1844 to 1932, grew up in a sectarian pacifist and abolitionist environment, enlisted in the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the Civil War. Afterward he moved with his family to Illinois, married and raised a family of 14 children. Based on war records, his letters, and family stories, I have imagined his reflections as he reviews his life when he nears the end.

John Dougherty Warfel served nearly five years in the 71^st Ohio Infantry, which did not deactivate until December of 1865. He had to resolve the conflicts between the religious pacifism and abolitionism of his family background. He lived to be 88 years old, raising a large family on a farm in Jasper County, Illinois.  This book frames the actual experiences of his life as a first person and fictional narrative as he reviews his legacy and approaches his death. He realizes that the conflicts he tried to resolve in himself and in the world around him will continue far into the future.

As a great-grandson of the abolitionist, Lincoln partisan, and Civil War veteran whose experiences form the historical core of Broken Plates, Gary Chapman grew up with stories about his ancestor. Chapman became a minister and teacher of philosophy and religion. In retirement he has published six previous books on A Family’s Heritage.