The author shares captivating anecdotes from his family's tradition of adventurous white-water rafting trips spanning 50 years and over 50 rivers across the U.S. and beyond. Through these journeys, he and his three brothers have fostered a deep love for nature and adventure, passing it on to their children and extended family. The narrative captures both exhilarating victories and challenging moments, appealing to anyone who enjoys outdoor experiences and inspiring readers of all ages to embark on their own river adventures with loved ones.
Pierce Kelley Book order






- 2022
- 2022
Exploring profound existential questions, the author reflects on the nature of God, the afterlife, and the soul, drawing from a rich tapestry of life experiences as a lawyer, professor, and athlete. With 75 years of insights, he emphasizes the importance of self-examination and personal beliefs, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding these timeless inquiries. Rather than advocating for a definitive stance, he invites readers to contemplate their own answers, echoing Socratic wisdom on the value of an examined life.
- 2021
Elysium
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
The story explores the poignant relationship between Michael McDuffy, a retired professor facing Alzheimer's, and Brendan Sullivan, a young psychology student assigned to help him. As Michael grapples with his diagnosis, he contemplates the inevitability of his decline and the moral dilemmas surrounding his fate. This narrative delves into themes of friendship, autonomy, and the struggle against societal and institutional constraints, ultimately questioning the choices one makes in the face of terminal illness.
- 2019
The journey of a sixteen-year-old Coptic Christian unfolds as Mekhaeil Zacharias walks from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee and onto Jerusalem, seeking to deepen his understanding of Jesus and himself. This poignant narrative serves as the culmination of a series that began after the tragic loss of Mekhaeil's brothers and fellow Copts to ISIS violence in 2015. Through his pilgrimage, themes of faith, resilience, and personal discovery are intricately woven into a powerful exploration of grief and hope.
- 2018
Mekhaeil Zacharias, a sixteen-year-old Egyptian boy, embarks on a transformative 500-mile pilgrimage along el Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Raised as a Copt, he grapples with doubts about his faith and beliefs. This journey across sacred landscapes serves as a quest for self-discovery, allowing him to confront his uncertainties and explore his identity. Through physical and spiritual challenges, Mekhaeil seeks to reconcile his upbringing with his personal convictions.
- 2018
In this book, young Mekhaeil Zacharias, a sixteen year-old Egyptian boy, travels to northern Spain to walk el Camino de Santiago...the way of St. James, the apostle. He has been raised as a Copt, a follower of Jesus Christ, but he has doubts and concerns about what he has been taught and what it is he believes. By making a journey of five hundred miles, by foot, across sacred grounds, he hopes that he will be able to discover who he is and exactly what it is that he believes.
- 2017
Hiding in America
- 262 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of the 2015 ISIS atrocities in Sirte, this sequel follows sixteen-year-old Mekhaeil Zacharias as he escapes to New York City, seeking refuge from his pursuers. Immersed in the vibrant city life, he grapples with his identity and faith, particularly as he becomes enamored with a nineteen-year-old Muslim girl who is concealing her own truths. This journey challenges Mekhaeil's understanding of his Coptic Christian roots and forces him to confront profound questions about belief and self-discovery.
- 2017
Hunted
- 242 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The narrative follows Mekhaeil Zacharias, a survivor of an ISIS massacre, who is tasked with sharing the harrowing truth of his friends' deaths. As he escapes to Kerala, India, to seek refuge among Mar-Thoma Christians, he grapples with the trauma of his past while pursuing themes of peace and unity across different faiths. The story emphasizes the quest for commonality amidst diversity and the search for personal purpose in the face of adversity. Pierce Kelley, an experienced lawyer and educator, crafts this poignant tale in his twelfth novel.
- 2016
Massacre at Sirte
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of a harrowing event in February 2015, the narrative follows the capture of twenty-two laborers in Libya, primarily Coptic Christians, by Muslim extremists. As the men face imminent execution, one survivor, sixteen-year-old Mekhaeil Zacharias, is spared and tasked with sharing the chilling account of their ordeal. This poignant story highlights themes of faith, survival, and the importance of bearing witness to atrocities.
- 2015
To Valhalla
- 254 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The story follows Christopher Paul Buchanon, a U.S. Army sergeant who, after returning from Afghanistan with a service-related disability, is trained to operate drones at Fort Creech, Nevada. Set against the backdrop of significant military events, including the death of Osama bin Laden and the subsequent withdrawal of combat troops, Buchanon navigates the complexities of his new role before facing discharge as the military begins to downsize.