Heaven and Earth

The purpose of this book is twofold. First and foremost, this book was written to disseminate information regarding a serious health issue that is plaguing our society. The issue is cadmium poisoning. Second, the book will hopefully be a stimulating and thought-provoking source of entertainment for the reader, touching on a wide variety of themes-some based on reality, others on conjecture, and still others on pure fantasy.

   The story line of the book, a science-fiction "aliens from another planet" theme, is laid out in chapters, with information related to cadmium appended at the end of each chapter. Readers who have no interest in the cadmium issue can skip over these "Cadmium Poisoning Facts" appendices, focus on the sci-fi plot of the book, and still benefit from new insights into the problem. Hopefully, most readers will find the appendices informative, gaining a new perspective on our common malady . . . one that has multiple, seemingly unrelated symptoms.

   To all my readers-I wish you an entertaining journey on a cross-country adventure. Enjoy the read, and enjoy the ride.

From the heavens they came to our Mother Earth; through a different dimension, they moved freely to examine the fruits of the seeds they had planted several millennia ago. Their race was characterized by a highly developed intellect, evolving only after the conquest of the poisoned environment of their world and the maladies that had nearly driven their race to extinction. They traveled the galaxy on a search. This tale of intrigue involves national secrets that NASA, the DHS, the Air Force, the CDC, and the FDA cannot disclose. From a web of misinformation and concealment that spans the nation from coast to coast, the truth must be extracted and revealed. Why are we being "protected" from the truth-the existence of a race of alien beings and the known environmental causes of problems ailing our society-and what is the price we pay for this protection?

   The story unfolds drawing parallels between their world and our own-conspiracies to exploit the masses, events and conditions that are not as they appear, the universal need to know, the conflict between self-interests and the universal good, and the ultimate triumph of valor over fear.

   This is a story involving different kinds of races. For the space travelers, it is a race against time and a message traversing the vast emptiness of space at the speed of light. For Earthlings, it is a race to reverse an environmental tailspin leaving death in its wake. A tale of mass deceit and denial, conquest without overt violence, insidious enemies, and turbulent battles fought within, Heaven and Earth explores the very sources of pain and suffering and offers a surprise ending to free two races from oppression and exploitation. But the battles . . . are just beginning.

   The story line is intertwined with the story of cadmium and our chronic exposure to this carcinogenic heavy metal. The information provided at the end of each chapter and in the appendices makes this a hybrid sci-fi/self-help novel.