COMING HOME

<p>Coming Home: A Stranger in Appalachia</p><p> </p><p>While reporting on the manhunt for terrorist Eric Rudolph in the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia journalist John Christensen becomes fascinated by people in a town hard hit by economic misfortune. His initial assignment complete he returns often over the next eighteen months to document their passion and resilience.</p><p> </p><p>In a region famously suspicious of strangers he visits with a soulful country singer a converted New Yorker a hick from Ohio the scion of the leading family and a shotgun-toting hermit.</p><p> </p><p>Over coffee and meals in their homes and businesses even at a secret hideaway he witnesses kindness and generosity humor and hope scandal and forgiveness death and renewal. </p><p> </p><p>But after losing his job in a corporate layoff he sets the project aside.</p><p> </p><p>He is in his 50s. At an age when his peers are retiring he must start over at the worst of times. His industry is shrinking. He must contend with the dot-com meltdown the Great Recession a pandemic and yet another recession all while haunted by self-doubt failure and depression.</p><p> </p><p>When he finally revisits the Appalachia manuscript years later he discovers something that had escaped his notice before something that could change his life. But there's a catch: he must include a story he never thought he'd have to tell - his own.</p><p> </p><p>Coming Home: A Stranger in Appalachia is an upbeat and uplifting story with a message of hope for those who refuse to give up.</p>