Origins: Discovery

'Origins: Discovery’ is an epic 188,300 word story of love, culture and discovery set during the greatest conflict in history. The entire book is written in three Parts, including:

• Part 1: The Axis Rises (available as a pdf if you wish to view part of the novel for free);
• Part 2: Defending the Free World; and
• Part 3: Discovering Humanity.

The novel has been written to provide a window to a world few people in the West know about - of villages and people in Asia experiencing the trauma of political change and conflict in the 1930s and 1940s, but also a world of amazing cultures, music, dance and history.

Armenia is an ancient land, the world's oldest Christian nation, but it has become part of the Soviet Union. To the east, the Japanese, Soviets and Chinese all warily watch each other, while in the birth place of many religions - India and Nepal - the influence of the British Empire is waning.

Experience an incredible story of self-discovery through the eyes of the villagers as they laugh, love and cry; people that will ultimately change the course of history - and provide a lens on why we still have problems in the 21st century between different peoples. Learn about the discovery of a long-hidden treasure that will alter the way we treat each other as humans. Discover our origins...

Humanity... who are we?
-Imagine a world where your foes are ultimately your friends-
-When a single decision changes everything that we know-
-Where small nations are the saviour of large nations-
-A world embroiled in conflict-
-A world that illuminates the humanity we all have inside-

The story starts in 1930 during Soviet Communist times, exploring the challenges of life in the Armenian village of Areni. One of the villagers doesn't know she has a secret within her of monumental significance. In 1937, a single decision changes the past that we know today – an alternative history.

When Japan decides to attack the Soviet Union in alliance with its Axis partners in 1941, it spells the end of the Communist nation. The United States doesn’t enter the war as it did in reality, while the Axis spreads its tentacles across North Africa, Europe and Asia. The Axis Powers are victorious in World War II, but it creates a common bond among people who would otherwise be foes.

Peoples of different ethnicities fight shoulder to shoulder resisting occupation, and unlikely coalitions are formed. Small nations ironically provide sanctuary for the leaders of more powerful countries.

Five individuals, from small nations or remote communities, each play a key part in bringing the tale to its conclusion, although one pays the ultimate sacrifice. The heroes are ordinary people, not gun-toting musclemen. This is an unusual story, as it highlights the role of scientists that make such a difference in our everyday lives, yet no one seems to honour them.

The seeds are sown for yet another global war, although the conflict and human courage are only a background to one of the most important discoveries in human history. Two threads in the story intertwine.

One thread involves the conflict itself and the development of increasingly advanced technology such as nuclear weapons. The second thread involves the Origins project, which reveals a great secret about human beings. This provides a mirror to human consciousness that ultimately plays a crucial role in the fall of the Axis.

The world has changed forever; as has the way in which people understand their humanity.

Len Wicks is a dual Australian/New Zealand citizen, who is married with three children. He has a background in aviation as an air traffic controller working in New Zealand and the Sultanate of Oman, and in air traffic management in Thailand for the Asia/Pacific Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations specialised agency. He now lives in Armenia, managing the family hotel.

Len’s interests in geography and history had led him to travel extensively worldwide – but in particular to Russia, the Ukraine and the Caucasus, where he met his Armenian wife, Armine. He also has interests in sport (the national religion in New Zealand is rugby! and he was a netball coach for many years), and children’s education (http://www.ody-see.com).

Writing Origins: Discovery wasn’t planned. It was only after returning from a visit to Armenia that the story came to him, and the process of turning a vision into reality started. The motivation to write every day for 21 months in a novel style unfamiliar to him was provided by his family’s encouragement and the knowledge that the world should know about history such as the Armenian Genocide.

Len hopes that people will learn about other cultures and treat each other more kindly as a result of the work.