An Island of Lost Toys

About the Book

The story begins on Dauphin Island; an island in the mouth of Mobile Bay just about the same size as Manhattan; but light year different. The first chapter sets the stage, then flashes back over 100 years. An Island of Lost Toys is a fictional novel that covers three generations. Most Americans have wondered why their early generations left some other country and came to America. It takes powerful motivation to leave ones homeland. About the first fifth of the book deals with the subject as it follows the life of Franz Ludwig (later Shannon). A transitional character Louis Shannon, Franz’s youngest son, carries the story through the depression and WWII, about the time Robert Shannon was born. Robert is the central character for the remainder of the book, which is a struggling adventure of career choices, a different version of race relations in the South, and the challenges of a lasting and enduring quest for love. All of that surrounds Colonel Robert Shannon, USMC.

About the Author

Robert Kerzic was born in a small Southern town in 1936 and was raised in Mobile, AL. he was educated at the University of Alabama where he received a degree in history and holds a Masters from San Diego State University. He retired from the Marine Corp. as Lt. Colonel after serving for twenty-two years. For serving in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and other service awards and ribbons. After retiring from the Marine Corp. he taught science for four years before becoming an Assistant Principal and served three different middle and high schools in the Mobile, Alabama area. He is a published author, principally in professional periodicals relating to military affairs. He lives with his wife on an island near Mobile where he worked on his first novel. He wrote An Island of Lost Toys because he wanted to; it was in his life and it was a story he felt needed to be told. He grew up wanting to be a writer and always felt like he was capable of such a challenge.