Life Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS I’ll admit it. One of my most terrifying experiences at West Point was not being hazed by upperclassmen. It was not jumping out of airplanes when I was sent to Fort Benning, cutting seven equal slices of pie in the Mess Hall while my squad leader breathed down my neck, or being ordered to remove my protective mask in the gas chamber during Cadet Field Training at Camp Buckner. No, none of those topped the list. One of the most uncomfortab

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Washington Statue at West Point I recently saw the movie Young Washington. Whether every scene is historically accurate or not, one aspect of George Washington's life stood out to me. He was willing to learn from his mistakes. As a young officer, Washington possessed confidence and ambition, but experience taught him that leadership required far more than courage. It demanded humility, patience, wisdom, and a willingness to learn.

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Old Cadet Chapel Built in the neoclassical style in 1836, the Old Cadet Chapel originally stood near The Plain. When the Academy expanded its academic buildings and constructed the massive new Military Gothic Cadet Chapel overlooking the campus in 1910, officials determined that the old chapel was no longer needed. It was scheduled for demolition. Cadets and alumni came to the rescue. They couldn’t part with a chapel that meant so

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS One wing of Washington Hall during a visit of civilian guests The Mess Hall, also known as Washington Hall, is a huge dining area for the entire Corps of Cadets to eat at the same time. The ceilings are high; there are six wings; each of the numerous tables accommodates ten cadets; and a large, raised Poop Deck, where announcements are given, is located smack in the middle of it all. At the end of one of the wings is a mural depict

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Hidden inside the Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center at the United States Military Academy is Hayes Gym and one of West Point's most famous traditions—the Indoor Obstacle Course Test, better known simply as the IOCT. Readers of THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS will recognize it as one of the pivotal settings in the novel. When I began writing that chapter, I wanted the scene to feel authentic. It wasn't enough simply to list the obst

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Course for the Two-Mile Run Along the Hudson River When I visited West Point twenty-five years after resigning from the Academy, I walked down to the site of the annual two-mile run. The course follows the Hudson River alongside the railroad tracks. Every year, cadets must complete the Army Physical Fitness Test, which, in my day, consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, and the two-mile run. Readers of THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS will recogn

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Plaque on Fort Putnam Early in THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS, Fort Putnam becomes a pivotal setting for the main character. Built in 1778 by Colonel Rufus Putnam's 5th Massachusetts Regiment, the historic fortification rests atop Crown Hill overlooking West Point. Rising about 500 feet above the Hudson River, it was designed to prevent the British from controlling the Hudson River Valley and carrying out their plan to divide the coloni

Real Places Behind THE QUEST OF KIP SAUNDERS Hudson River Valley from Bear Mountain, 2006 When I reached the top of Bear Mountain and looked down at the Hudson River Valley, I felt as if I had stepped back in time. I knew the Hudson River at the Bear Mountain Bridge crossing marked the lowest elevation point on the Appalachian Trail, but for me it represented a possible high point—at least emotionally. I quickened my pace as I hiked down the mountain, excited by the possibili

Welcome. For years I've kicked around the idea of starting a blog, but life always seemed to get in the way. This summer, with my novel nearing publication and the school year behind me, I've finally decided to stop thinking about it and start writing. After more than a year of editing, formatting, and revising, The Quest of Kip Saunders is finally nearing publication. Only the final production work remains before its scheduled release on August 4, 2026. Here are some topics