MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Priceless knowledge comes from opening one's mind and living out one's dreams fearlessly. In The Ragamuffins (now available through AuthorHouse) S. DeRouche Mount invites readers to peruse an extraordinary man's journal, which reveals his intriguing family history and the unparalleled truths he has discovered through travels and encounters.
Aboard a ship bound for East Africa, Frank Monte, a young counter intelligence satellite engineer mulls over a letter he received from an old and dear friend. As he sits on the ship's deck, reflections of his life take shape. His response to the correspondence takes readers on a series of adventures as Frank captures his incredible life with pen and paper.
From the beginning, one can sense they are in for a provocative experience. Frank describes a treasure he found as a young man: an old leather sea chest containing a special message. The words inscribed beseech all of life's wanderers to fulfill their roles as "ragamuffins," and they spur Frank to follow a continuous quest for all the world has to offer, including answers to his innermost questions.
Readers discover Frank's Basque heritage and the persecution and genocide exacted on nearly all his family. He acknowledges the turbulent world into which he was born and longs to know why this type of violence must exist. Despite the grim topics he addresses, Frank's tone brims with zest and humor as he peppers his global commentary with vivid descriptions of his escapades.
From New York to San Francisco to Tokyo, Frank plunges readers into an important expedition that challenges them to examine their perspectives of the world, life and themselves. A witty and soulful look at the human condition, The Ragamuffins makes an impact that sweetly lingers long after the book is closed.
DeRouche Mount was born in Manhattan three hours after his mother entered the United States. Raised in New York, he has traveled the world by car, bus, train and plane. He writes that the purpose behind his work is to preserve and pass on the invaluable education he has received through his life experiences.
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