Rebuke the Wind

A carefree recent high school graduate receives the devastating news that his kidneys are in chronic failure. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, the new life-saving kidney dialysis was not available to all who needed it. Would the Selection Committee choose him to be the fortunate one to receive the final spot on the dialysis machine rotation until a donor kidney could be found? Would his friendships survive this tumultuous time? Would his faith?

Journey along with Paul and his family, his friends, and his hospital personnel as they fight together to save Paul's life. See the scientific community work tirelessly to perfect the dialysis process that gives hope to victims such as Paul. Understand the struggles that even his doctors and nurses underwent on his behalf. Reminisce the rich history of Paul's family as his town of Pekin is recounted from its earliest beginnings, through the era of Lincoln, and into the early twentieth century. Enjoy the atmosphere of the 1960s through the eyes of a teenager.

Originally penned in the 1980s, the author refused to finish this novel, possibly because the story was too closely tied to his own experiences, and he did not know how his story would end. Several years after his death in 2008, his widow collected all the chapters she could find and compiled this book. Since so much of the author's experience was also her own, who better than she to write the remaining chapters?

Anyone who calls Central Illinois home will cherish its personally recounted history in Rebuke the Wind. Anyone interested in medicine will find the story behind the dialysis machine and its early days fascinating. Anyone who has ever had to undergo chronic illness will feel Paul's poignant struggles. Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed will be reminded that He rebuked the wind then and can still do it today.