Anvil of the Heart

By Bruce T. Holmes

It is the year 2057 and John Cunningham’s generation is the last of its kind. Cunningham is an example of Homo sapiens, the old race.
At the turn of the century, the genetic engineers were able to create a new version of humankind, a new race of highly intelligent, unemotional, non-violent, rational beings. Half a century later an amendment to the Constitution was passed safeguarding the rights of each child to this full potential. No longer could parents doom their own children to second-class citizenship just because the results seemed strange and unfamiliar.
The future belongs to the new people.
It is not a proud time to be alive. With the factories automated there are millions of the old race unemployed and living on the dole. Housing is overcrowded; travel restricted; and the police exist only to protect the new people and their enclaves. Entertainment deemed appropriate for the vulgar passions of the old race ranges from the orgy channel to the Roaster Toaster Hour. There are those who might rebel, yet it is hard rebelling against one’s own children.
John Cunningham has two genetically altered children, both far more intelligent than he, and a wife addicted to bobcap orgasms and asperum. He is an encyclopedist working on a summation of the old race history which the new people will file away and probably forget. He is an anachronism, a relative moron in a world of genius.
So how does on pass the time while waiting for extinction?
Anvil of the Heart is the story of one man testing the limits of human potential. It tells of Winslow Rafferty, and the training. Like all human stories it is about love and violence, the shaping of courage, the anvil of the heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bruce T. Holmes
• Release date: Apr 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9780911361025

Bruce T. Holmes

Bruce Holmes is the author of two SciFy novels, two music CDs, and a 48 lesson series on the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons. His first novel, Anvil of the Heart for one brief moment in the summer of 1984 led the Nebula nominations for best novel and was promptly left in the dust. It made the Locus recommended reading list for 1984 and was a Prometheus Nominee. Both Anvil and a subsequent novel, Master of the Guard, are available as Kindle downloads. Holmes is also an award-winning singer/songwriter with two CDs out: Life’s An Intelligence Test and The Old King’s Reel. He’s been picked up by over 200 radio stations and both CDs charted. He also authored a 48 lesson series based on his years studying with Moshe Feldenkrais. The Feldenkrais Lessons: Awareness Through Movement is now available on a single CD. In addition to his work as a performing artist, Holmes is USA Traithlon Certified Coach. He’s taught dance, Aikido, juggling and coached Oakton Chess to two state championships.

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