The Dramatic Story of a pioneering man, his mercurial mind & a society in limbo
Mission:
A deceased father and alive son discuss the development of the father’s bipolar condition during the turmoil of the 1960s and explore the insights into better mental health that readers (like you) can absorb from his intense odyssey.
Synopsis:
Words With My Father offers a gripping portrait of the evolution of a young man’s mental illness and how it manifested into a dramatic and often dangerous existence through the turbulence of the Civil Rights, Peace and Conservation movements.
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Lowell Klessig
Lowell Klessig led a life of action, ambition and accomplishment. He directly participated in the Civil Rights and Peace Movements. In addition, he became a celebrated conservation leader and environmental advocate in Wisconsin, the nation and around the world.
Lowell won the Wisconsin Idea Award and UW-Extension’s Teacher of the Year Award, among many other recognitions. His research and work served as the basis for several conservation laws. All along the way, he wrote, published and taught the ideas and lessons garnered from a multitude of experiences.
Lowell passed away in 2014 after a year-long battle with CJD – a rare neurodegenerative disease. This book is his first written chronicle of the anxiety, mania and depression that shaped his shortened life.
Some other selected highlights:
OTHER AWARDS:
US Department of Agriculture Career Service Award
Wisconsin Governor’s Distinguished Service Commendation
Wisconsin Lakes Lifetime Achievement Award
Community Development Association Distinguished Service Award
Wisconsin Lake Districts Distinguished Service Award
Soil and Water Conservation Society Achievement Award
State Visionary Leadership Award
University of Wisconsin Meritorious Service Award
LEGACY:
Multiple Signature Pens from four Governors for key role in Wisconsin legislation.
50+ academic book chapters, journal articles and magazine features published.
Two prior books: 1. One Family’s Forest & 2. The Elf Odyssey: National Security Versus Environmental Protection.
CAREER:
27 years as a professor of natural resources management and rural sociology for the University of Wisconsin system.
Extension educator/liaison for additional areas including acid rain, renewable energy, economic development and sustainable agriculture.
ACTIVE LEADER OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:
Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program
Wisconsin Woodland Leaders Institute
Wisconsin Family Forests
Wisconsin Master Woodland Steward Program
Scenic Wisconsin
Science and Religion Task Force
Town of New Hope Planning Committee
Portage County Board of Adjustment
Sigurd Olson Institute
North American Lake Management Society
Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute
Wisconsin Lakes Convention
Wisconsin Lakes Partnership
DEGREES:
B.S. in Biochemistry (UW-Madison)
M.A.T. in Molecular Biology (Vanderbilt)
M.S. in Sociology (UW-Madison)
Ph.D. in Environmental Management (UW-Madison)
ROLES FOR PURPOSE:
Caretaker of 296 acres of Wisconsin land across four properties.
Unrelenting essayist and writer, sometimes poet. Hopefully with some favorable results.
Father of 2 boys, imperfect but caring husband, animal lover and respecter.
Explorer of 56+ countries and 6 continents, but who’s counting?
Conservation pioneer and community-minded citizen who sought to live so that his epitaph would, one day, accurately read “He taught us to think.”
Lukas Klessig
Lukas Klessig lives at the family ranch in Wisconsin, managing the care of forests, fields, gardens and buildings. He also looks after his Mom, monitors the family’s investments and, occasionally, tries to be creative. Words With My Father owes its existence partially to this compulsion, but also to a promise he made to his dying father.
Lukas is a proponent of mental health advocacy, animal welfare, outdoor living and physical activity. He spends winters in southern Florida. His beloved cat Shaddy often loiters nearby, supervising his activities.
Lukas studied history, Spanish and international relations at UW-Madison and FIU. He became an Eagle Scout at 16 and transferred those skills to jobs keeping violent kids safe, handing out menus in business parks, arranging luxury travel and consulting on client marketing for global brands.
Most of his best sentences emerged on many mile walks on quiet roads and trails. His routine includes too much ice cream, bug spray and bushwhacking and too many economics podcasts, worn-out shoes and anti-balding efforts. Lukas counts Australia, Hawaii, the Caribbean and southern Spain as favorite destinations – you get the idea.
He would really like you to read his book and thanks you in advance for any feedback and reviews.
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RECOGNITION
“Undaunted…with vital messages and insights that extend to all of society.”
– Michael Dombeck, Former Head of the U.S. Forest Service and the Federal Bureau of Land Management.
“…a biography for most people would be pushing it, but most people don’t have the interesting life that Lowell Klessig did.”
– Books & Pals
“Lowell Klessig and his son Lukas exchange vital perspectives on how to live in an uncertain world, both political and personal, and how to arbitrate a family history of risk for bipolar disorder. Theirs are, indeed, deep and affecting Words.”
– Dr. Stephen P. Hinshaw, Founder of UC-Berkeley’s Hinshaw Lab and author of Another Kind of Madness: A Journey through the Stigma and Hope of Mental Illness (St. Martin’s, 2017).
“You never really know what’s going on behind the scenes in other people’s lives, but this was a fascinating glimpse into the private matters of one such family. …Excellent. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
– L&S Reviews
“Feedback, including from top researchers, has extolled the narrative’s skill for enhancing viewpoints, local color and introspection.“
– Wisconsin Media Group / TCN
“Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, we especially and unreservedly recommend Words With My Father for … Psychology/Psychiatry collections and curriculum.”
– Midwest Book Review
“Words With My Father is a unique and interesting read, offering a blend of personal insight into mental health, environmental philosophy, and historical context, making it an engaging choice…”
– Wisconsin Writers Association (M. Caffrey)
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Creatives & Facilitators
SUSAN HOBERG – ILLUSTRATOR
“Suz” is Lukas’ aunt but, more importantly, a talented and distinctive artist and collector. She loves beautiful things and creates many herself, including China painting, drawing, fused glasswork, recycled sculptures and leather jewelry. Susan lives in her hometown of Green Bay with husband Bill and faithful “animal creature” Ivy.
MICHAEL BERGER – NARRATOR
Michael Berger is a voice and screen actor and winemaker based in southern California. Read more about him and see some of his credits on our Audiobook Page and at www.michaelberger.com.
MICHAEL LEVIN – WRITING COACH
Initially brought on as a “book doctor” with some ghostwriting duties, Michael’s role morphed into a writing coach and interviewer after Lukas realized that he could only express the voice and feel that he wanted by taking on the writing and rewriting himself.
Michael proved invaluable in propelling the project to completion, including choosing the main title of the book. You can learn about how he has helped hundreds of authors at www.michaellevinwrites.com.
JENKINS GROUP – DESIGN & PRINT MANAGEMENT
The entire team at Jenkins Group offered superior service and attention to detail and helped keep Lukas on track to create a striking and top tier book – in both print and eBook. Special thanks to Leah Nicholson, Yvonne Roehler, Allison Marion and Emily Slater. Learn more at www.jenkinsgroupinc.com.
PATHWAY BOOK SERVICE – DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT
They keep the gears of commerce, sales processing, shipping and warehousing running and keep authors’ minds at ease. Special gratitude to Jennifer Dolce and Lucas Dolce. Check out www.pathwaybook.com.
Other Supporters Deserving Praise & Thanks →→→
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