Within the pages of this novel you will read of riveting action and adventure, romance, philosophy and Civil War history. The era is post-Civil War when pioneers from the east migrated westward in search of opportunity and security in land ownership. The destruction murder, rape and arson of homestead family by three desperados, lead the surviving child Billy Reed to grow up seeking vengeance on the three miscreants responsible for the atrocities committed against his family.

While growing up Billy befriended a well-known gun slinger and bounty hunter named Joe Young, who taught Billy everything he knew about shooting and tracking outlaws. Joe Young became Billy's adopted brother and accompanied Billy on his search for the three villains.

To complete his education, Billy sought out the famous Simon Ganz, the best sharp shooter and paladin in the West, for his wisdom and knowledge in apprehending criminals and lawbreakers. The friendship between Simon and Billy developed into a father and son relationship, which necessitated that Simon tag along on Billy's mission. The manner in which the three scoundrels were apprehended is a study in strategy only Simon Ganz could provide. The destiny and fate of the three rogues would be decided by Billy.

Alfred V. Cafiero was born June 5, 1926, in New York City and was educated through the N.Y.C. public school system. After high school he was inducted into military service in 1944 and served with the 33rd Infantry Division in the South Pacific Theater of Operation. He helped liberate the island of Luzon in the Philippines and was part of the occupational forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1946.

After discharge from the army he enrolled at Hunter College in N.Y.C. and graduated in 1951 with a degree in chemistry and mathematics. His last employer was the David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, N.J., from 1960 to his retirement in 1988. Since his retirement has taught chemistry for two years at the Institute for Profession & Technical Advancement, a division of Middlesex Community College, and from 1990 to 2000, as a substitute for the Old Bridge Township School System.

He has co-authored two scientific publications:

Single-Crystal growth of mixed Hexaborides for Thermionic Emission Journal of Crystal Growth 44(1978) 287-290
Inorganic Synthesis-Cadmium Digalliun(III)Tetrasulfide Vol.XI p.5

Physically active all his life, cycling, swimming and skiing. Part of his leisure activities for the past 50 years, was painting pictures in oil. He enjoys gardening and listening to opera, classical music and currently resides in Old Bridge Township, N.J., with his wife of 57 years and has two sons and four grandchildren.

Keywords: Western, Romance, Civil War, Sharpshooter, Gunfight