The Methuselah Project: A Novel

Incredible but plausible WWII novel draws you right in
A "what if" story that spreads its wings and soars. I found this novel to be absolutely fascinating. There is so much history, plausible or not, built into this book. So much to ponder. As a child myself during WWII, my interest deepened throughout. Growing up, I learned as others did, that there were many secrets, experiments, agendas, so to me, this book did have an abundance of historic fact, fiction, what-if.... Yes. What if Roger Greene had not crashed in his plane and lived only to be captured? What if German scientists had discovered a way to appease Hitler's plan for the Thousand Year Reich? What if one experiment actually worked? Herein lies the mystery, the complexity of show more the story.

The author, Rick Barry, has given us a full-blown history of one man's fight to return home to Indiana. This history is decades in the making. In the beginning there were seven, Roger was Number 7. When the lab is demolished by heavy bombardment only Roger remains alive among the seven captives. What does this mean? Will he be rescued? One of his captors, indeed the scientist himself, eventually loosens up enough to provide the airman with reading material which included a Bible. His world opening up and giving him hope through many different writings provides enough to keep him sane, but for how long?

This is an adventure story unlike others. No dashing around, he is in a cage. But he has plans, and God on his side. And he is exactly the same in appearance as he was 70 years ago when he was captured. He is not even aware that the war is long over. On the other hand, is it really over for him? The opportunity he has been waiting for suddenly arises and Yes! he is free, at least he may be free, if he can just get out of Germany and to the US, but will anyone believe his story? This story has everything a person could want. A mix of everything: sci fi, romance, war, history, humanity, inhumanity, excitement, adventure, a book that will keep you reading as the world takes him through changes, terror, and more. A wonderful, entertaining and thought-provoking book with a surprise ending.
I won this book in a draw from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. This book blew my mind! show less

This is to be the most captivating book I read in a long time. Pulse –pounding action from page one, this fiction is so enthralling I hated to do anything else but flipping pages to see the outcome, it is simply that captivating. The story is quite original and starts during WW11 with Roger Greene, a fighter pilot, who becomes a study subject in the Methuselah Project by Nazi scientists after his plane was shot down behind enemy lines during WW11. It is also the story of Katherine Mueller, a freelance editor, living in Atlanta in 2014. Destiny eventually brings them together……..

The story moves from the time Roger is shut down to the present day and is told by the two players as the narrative switches back and forth between them. show more This is mixture of mystery and intrigue filled with chase scenes that all started with an experiment for longevity…..What a great thrill ride this story gives. Imagine languishing behind bars for 70 years and not aging at all, being able to escape only to be relentlessly hunted by the Organisation (bad guys) while trying to orient yourself and figure out all the modern gadgetry of the 21st century….The premise may be far-fetched and implausible in many ways but what it does well is to give us pause on some of the war’s atrocities. The characterization is well-done: Katherine is a real Southern belle and plays a good role especially when the chase is on. Our hero Roger is simply an ace, what else can I say.

“The Methuselah Project” is well-crafted to provide a bit of everything and captivated its reader from page one. show less

What a great read! This book is a blend of WWII history and modern-day Atlanta, Georgia. What's really funny is that I had this book on my Kindle and had started reading this book in the hotel room at night during my vacation to Atlanta, Georgia. Talk about perfect timing! So I was vaguely familiar with some of the landmarks of Atlanta mentioned in the book (ex. The Varsity).

Rick Barry has done an incredible amount of research here. He presents us with Roger Greene, a WWII pilot, who becomes a POW after his plane went down in German territory. Rather than being taken to a typical POW camp, he and six other POWS have been selected for a very important science project, one that may preserve "the Aryan race."

Another character, Katherine show more Mueller, is weaved into the story (modern-day Atlanta) as she struggles to please her uncle while trying to remain true to herself.

An excellent read that keeps you turning the pages. show less

Army Air Corps Captain Roger Greene is shot down over Nazi Germany in 1943. After his capture, he is taken to what he believes might be a hospital; soon enough he discovers that it is a laboratory and he is about to participate, along with six fellow prisoners, in a strange Nazi experiment, whether he chooses to or not.

In a parallel story line, Katherine Mueller is, at the guidance and urging of her uncle, becoming more and more entangled in a secret society. Sometimes, dreaming of dates and boyfriends, she wishes for him to be less rigid and controlling, but she mostly accepts the restrictions placed on her by Uncle Kurt since he took her into his home when she was a young child and raised her after her parents died.

When Roger is the show more only prisoner to survive an air raid attack, his days as a solitary prisoner become more difficult. He endures life in an underground cell as the Methuselah Project continues, passing the time by reading and dreaming of the day the war will end and he will be released, or the day he will finally be able to escape. But so much time has passed. Who will believe his story when it sounds so downright implausible . . . even if it happens to be true?

There is a strong sense of place throughout the story and the author’s exacting attention to detail is evident, especially in the flying scenes that open the narrative. The action is intense, immediately drawing the reader into the tale. Events unfold in plausible fashion and Roger’s spiritual journey during his captivity is presented with appropriate candor, never devolving into simplistic preachiness.
Believable characters and the ever-building drama ramp up the suspense and keep the pages turning. Readers will find much to appreciate in this intriguing, well-crafted story.

Highly recommended. show less

I am not a fan of sci-fi, but the concept of this book intrigued me, and I am so glad that I read it. The book starts with all kind of war action, and as the blip in the back of the book explains, our hero Roger Greene is shot down. He has a remarkable survival rate even before the atrocious actions of the Nazis, the amazing way he lands his disabled plane, and then the lock up.
I can’t imagine being in a cell, no matter how nice for seventy years, no way, but he found a way to survive and keep his sanity. He also finds God, although he has always been there with him, he leans to acknowledge and lean on Him and it makes all the difference. I loved the people God puts in front of Roger, and how he makes it to the present.
I loved the show more fast pace of this book, the suspense and intrigue, there doesn’t seem to a dull moment, and the pages quickly fly. There is a bit of romance, and you will wonder whom he should trust, and hopefully he will be right. Don’t miss this book, it will really make you think, and be appalled and wonder if there are really Organizations like the Heritage that really exist, we can sure hope not.
I received this book from the Publisher Kregel, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

It is quite well written, and, for a Christian themed book, not preachy at all. There are, of course, Biblical references or conversations with God but, for the most part, they blended into the story. When these references/conversations arose, it was logical character behaviour.

The author tried to "show" not tell, but sometimes this felt a bit contrived... for example, an uncle says to his niece "what are you, about 5'6 or 5'7"" ... this is not a normal/natural conversation any uncle would have with an adult niece, but, it was how the author chose to show us how tall the character was without stating she was 5'6".

Overall it was a nice blend of historical and fantasy and Christian romance.

“The Methuselah Project” is an adventure novel that puts a new spin on the Rip Van Winkle legend. Rick Barry relies on a strong narrative writing style and incorporates a sense of humor along with an ability to instill a sense of danger and excitement. He is able to bring a long lost era into the present and brilliantly shows the dichotomy between the two periods.

The story begins in December of 1943 with Roger Greene in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt providing support for an Allied bombing run over Germany. Despite his claim that he was meant to fly, fate shows its nasty side and Roger is shot down. Instead of being taken to a standard POW camp, Greene is given to a gray-haired civilian. We soon find out that gray hair is show more actually Professor Heinz von Blomberg, who takes Roger to a secret facility where six other Allied pilots are waiting. Blomberg performs an experimental treatment on the seven which, if successful, will increase their lifespan tenfold and dramatically reduce the time for injuries to heal. Shortly thereafter, an Allied bombing run destroys the Methuselah facility, killing all inside except Roger. Blomberg was a secretive man who did not document his research, and when he died in the bombing so too did the ability to duplicate the success observed in Roger. A prison cell is built under the home of Dr. Otto Kossler, Blomberg’s assistant, and Roger is imprisoned there while Kossler studies him with the hopes of finding Blomberg’s secret.

Meanwhile in the present, Katherine Mueller is living in Atlanta, Georgia, and working hard to make her publishing business successful. Even though she was in her mid-twenties, Katherine still lived with her Uncle Kurt, who became her guardian when her parents were killed. Kurt belonged to the Heritage Organization, a secret group in which Katherine’s parents were also members. According to Kurt, the HO was founded to make the world a better place, and as family Katherine was also a member of the organization. Kurt also trained Katherine in the use of weapons, martial arts, surveillance and counter-surveillance in order to make her a more well-rounded member. Kurt would also like Katherine to marry within the HO, but she never clicked with any of the men Kurt had suggested for her. She decided to try and find love on her own but just didn’t know where to look. She was ready for a relationship with a nice man.

For Roger, he finally escapes after more than 70 years in captivity and thanks to Blomberg’s experiment he still looked 27. He ends up in Atlanta, running for his life from those who had held him captive and struggling with the culture shock of dealing with modern technology and the morality shift of the new generation. Katherine’s and Roger’s paths cross and a tenuous friendship is formed. Roger admits to himself that his story sounds crazy and decides to keep it a secret until he finds out who he can trust. Without giving away any spoilers, the ending was full of action and excitement and must be read to fully appreciate.

I thought this was a very interesting book, with a sort of time travel from Roger’s perspective. His last knowledge of society was based in 1943, so I can’t imagine the shock to him being turned loose in 2015. I loved the way the author handled this segment of the story.

I must offer a warning to some potential readers. This book touches on some religious aspects, most notably praying. In my opinion it was not overt and in the context was somewhat believable. People placed in life or death situations will often offer a prayer to their best known version of God, even people who profess to not believe. If, however, you are a person who might be offended by this or even the mention of God, I would advise against reading this book. On a similar thread, the book is free of foul language and sexual situations, so those who look for these types of books, I heartily recommend this offering.

I would like to thank the author, Kregel Publications, and LibraryThing for providing me a copy of this novel in return for an honest review. show less