“Soldiers, Space, and Stories of Life” is the first book publication of Philadelphia writer, Chris Gibbons.  He has been a frequent Op-Ed contributor over the years to the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer, with stories also appearing in the Houston Chronicle, Orlando Sentinel, and Washington Times, among others.  This compilation of 78 of his published essays also includes a new Afterword for each that provides updates, personal recollections, or e-mails received from readers in response to them.  Gibbons’ stories reveal the traumatic experiences of America’s war veterans, the incredible discoveries of space exploration, and the poignant memories of his youth.    

The stories of Philadelphia writer Chris Gibbons often convey the harrowing experiences of America's war veterans, the thrilling wonders of space exploration, and his poignant memories of growing up during the turbulent decades of the 1960's and 1970's. In this collection of 78 of his published essays across a broad range of topics, Gibbons reveals the meaning behind his search for "American Pie" singer and songwriter Don McLean, the hidden "scars of war" that haunted his father and his neighbors, the tragedy that would forever change his family, and the terrible toll that World War I inflicted upon the alumni of a legendary Philadelphia high school. Uplifting stories abound as well, as Gibbons conveys the excitement of the Apollo moon missions, Buddy Holly's and Rod Serling's continuing influence across the generations, the far-reaching impact of a skilled teacher, the thrilling robotic exploration of the solar system, and his vivid memories of the sports heroes of his youth. A new Afterword for each essay provides interesting context, subsequent updates, or noteworthy e-mails that Gibbons received in response to them. As you read the stories within this compilation, be prepared to traverse the battlefields of America's wars, rocket across the solar system, and travel back in time to experience the heartache, joy, and triumph often encountered on the journey of life.

Chris Gibbons is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area whose stories and essays have been primarily published in the Op-Ed pages of the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer, but have also been published in other outlets as well, such as the Washington Times, Houston Chronicle, Arizona Desert Sun, Savannah Morning News, Orlando Sentinel, the History Channel Magazine, America in WW 2 magazine, and PhillyMan magazine. Because of his life-long interest in military history and NASA, Chris's stories often focus on veterans and space exploration, but he also often writes about his experiences while growing up in a large family in Philadelphia during the 1960's and 1970's. Chris currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School, the nation's first free Catholic high school founded in 1890. He is currently the President of Roman's Alumni Association and is also Chairman of the Association's Veterans Committee and leading the effort to find the names of the Roman alumni who gave their lives in World War I. A graduate of Philadelphia's Drexel University, Chris also serves as an Officer with the American Catholic Historical Society, and he's a 40-year member of the Planetary Society. Chris can be reached at: gibbonscg@aol.com.