Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI (2026)

03/07/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXVII
The last planning and supply stages kicking off the Murder Island Mission begin to be completed, as the CIA funds everything requested without question. The surrounding players make appearances looking to feather their own nests, although not at any real expense to anything but the mission's seemingly unlimited budget. I begin to feel queasy about entering into a mission without understanding yet what it is truly all about, only being able to guess that it has something to do with a 'broken arrow' or nuclear device under the control or possession of someone or something not authorized to have it.

It was the water; I finally figured it out. It wasn’t the clear, fresh aroma of the mid-Pacific that swirled around the island chain of Hawaii—in those waters had been the clarity, the slightly salty sense of crystal purity, and a welcoming temperature that seemed to draw one down into the inter...

02/18/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXVI

The United States Navy once more steps in to apparently save the day, as the pilot and his small Cessna decide to attempt to play dive bomber on our boat. The Navy sends in the Marines, although they should have been Navy, and the mystery continues to build. The drug cartel, money, and drugs, the original apparent motivator for the mission, have begun to look like child's play next to the real thing, which remains hidden behind the stage curtain. The curtain must open soon.

The books are out there and selling on eBay for a lot, so that means there's some value in purchasing them now, particularly the books that are signed. My books will not be truly famous in my lifetime, but they will surface slowly to add to the historical perspective of life in the USA and how it is conducted through espionage and cultural and linguistic applications of truth, justice, power, and intellect. Invest in the work. Invest and take a chance on me.

The Cessna was having to turn slowly and very sharply to be able to come back around and still have another decent run at us, made all the harder by Kingsley turning the boat to port to lessen the timing and effect of the Cessna’s turn. The sound of the high blades of the CH-53 […]

02/12/2026

https://jamesstrauss.com/the-cowardly-lion-volume-six-chapter-xv-2/

The planning for the mission had come to an end without what I considered to be the key element of it, which was, what in hell was the real mission because it sure wasn’t breaking up a band of drug smugglers, stealing their cash and destroying them and their stash. That explained why the DEA […]

02/06/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXIV
The CIA 'First Directive' for field agents, never written but burned in by control officers, other field agents, and in training I was yet to receive; never take family or friends into mission territory or on any mission itself. Missions in the field have a way of going 'South' without warning and on into territories of extreme danger. I violate that directive for the first time in allowing my wife to stay nearby while i am preparing the planning for a mission. Her involvement does not include danger for her but for me in my marriage. The boat trip down to the mission area from Key West is harrowing and fraught with mysterious circumstance and danger but at least exposing only Nguyen, Kingsley and myself and then one stowaway to be yet discovered. Adaptation is the most valuable talent a field agent can possess.
Notables such as Jean Auel (Clan of the Cave Bear fame) and Linda Ronstadt have weighed in with emails and support and are reading the series. The vets and other fans who write are much more poignant in their comments but the notables weighing in feel wonderful to have. Buy the books. They are going somewhere great, so go somewhere great with them. I may not be here, because I'm so old but that won't matter. Just make the stuff more valuable.

I sat with the phone off the hook, watching the light blink, soundlessly yelling at me, while I was wishing I could know more than I knew. Suddenly, it occurred to me that the Rover should have the car phone somewhere inside it. I got up and went to the parking lot. The Rover sat […]

02/04/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXIII
The heat continues to rise as the truth about what the mission might entail as the U.S. Navy commits millions to provide ships and support while a budget continues to become unlimited and every request I put in is instantly approved no matter how idiotic or made up. Murder Island may well be properly named as the portent of impending death or serious violence begins to become the expected result.

Thanks for buying my books as it is having an effect on continuing this series when all things seem opposed. Semper fi, and thank you. Jim

I tried to get to sleep, which I nearly accomplished until my wife poked me in the side. “What is it?” I asked, my tone one of irritation. “You mentioned something, and I wanted to discuss it before you nod off, as it may be important as to whether you continue on this ‘mission’ or […]

01/24/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXI

The mission off the coast of Florida takes on new importance as it should never have been a CIA mission in the first place. Why the CIA becomes the major and only player in the mission becomes apparent when my association and friendship with an inheriting member of the Kohler family, famous in northern Wisconsin for plumbing and other equipment, comes to the fore. Wild results begin to pile up and play out as the bizarre mission unfolds.

Please buy the books and, in particular, buy the signed ones I sell at James Strauss, 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 53147. I don't have that much farther to go in life and these books are going to be worth a fortune when i am gone. There are very few portrayels of real combat and real recovery that ever make it into print. Thank you and I'm glad you are there to appreciate the work and me in particular.
COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXI

Roger Rabbit, the pilot, flew us directly back to the airport in Key West. No one said a word, and even though it was hard to be heard inside the plane, which, with Robert pushing the speed to the little plane’s maximum, the reason for the complete silence had nothing to do with the plane’s […...

01/17/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXI

The mission off the coast of Florida takes on new importance as it should never have been a CIA mission in the first place. Why the CIA becomes the major and only player in the mission becomes apparent when my association and friendship with an inheriting member of the Kohler family, famous in northern Wisconsin for plumbing and other equipment, comes to the fore. Wild results begin to pile up and play out as the bizarre mission unfolds.

Please buy the books and, in particular, buy the signed ones I sell at James Strauss, 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 53147. I don't have that much farther to go in life and these books are going to be worth a fortune when i am gone. There are very few portrayels of real combat and real recovery that ever make it into print. Thank you and I'm glad you are there to appreciate the work and me in particular.
COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XXI

There was too much going on, and my control was once again nearing the ephemeral kind of leadership I had in the A Shau Valley so long ago. The boat, or specialized watercraft that resembled a yacht, was ready to be guided down the waterway. Rosley Ryan was on the way to add credibility and brillian...

01/04/2026

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XIX

The rushed trip to Korea and back takes its toll but there is to be no respite as the Murder Island prepatory trip to Florida must be made, and the family left to once more wait, isn't dealing well with the non-stop missions or the wear and tear it's causing on everyone. Florida proves to be problematic, with Mary wanting to settle into the Flamingo Hotel in MIami to await events, and the preparations by the principal, Nguyen and Kingsley run into obstacles and difficulty in not revealing anyone that they are what they are.

Thanks for the patience in awaiting another chapter and hopefully having read the Christmas stories I run every year in the weeks preceeding that holiday. Please invest in the books as so many of you have and I am most happy to send out autographed copies to anyone who orders them. James Strauss at 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147.

I was not encountered by anyone from either the embassy or any of the people I’d met earlier in the country, which was a blessing as my recovery from the cough syrup I’d taken before and during the flights over had taken the wind out of me, as well as my need or even ability […]

11/22/2025

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XVIII

The Korea trip is slipped into my life like an accidental stab of a side of beef that goes wrong. I was not cut but once again any plan of my life I was trying to create, even with the Agency's help, was once again paused. My presence was physically necessary but the reasons for that not clear. I drugged myself and went off only to have to come down in a truly foreign land and culture. Fortunately, i was not called on for any physical feats of either violence or escape. But the pressure was moutning as a real physical and potentially violent mission was soon to follow.

Please particpate in purchasing books and the advance copy of the Fifth Volume. It's my fault its not out as I did not do my part correctly in the descriptive necessities. I am getting better. I also apologize for being late on answering comments which I will be all over tomorrow. Thanks for your support and for your sticking with me.

Joan Rosely Ryan’s appearance created the first general meeting of all the employees at the Principal Financial Group office. Everyone was dancing, singing, and drinking God knows what kinds of mixed concoctions. It was a madhouse, and I was struck mostly dumb. The woman was an expressive freight ...

11/13/2025

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XVII

The horrid complex f actions that had overtaken me were becoming more organized and clear, the CIA being much more capable of such assembly and control than I had originally thought. My return to Korea to install the direct payment system to begin the 'sale' of medical insurance to Americans living abroad takes my attention but then a coming mission to Murder Island, a place I couldn't even find on any maps, begins to insinuate itself into my mindset and thinking. I knew I didn't want violence in life so why, when much opportunity presented itself, was I so eager and willing to participate?

Please support the cause of this extensive literary and therapeutic project, for me and all of you who are a vital part of not only its creation but I's continuance. My great thanks.

I wondered about the small recorder that Doctor Harpending had given me, or rather gifted me, since no discussion had taken place about ownership. The good doctor was known for being cheap, driving an older Volkswagen, and infamously buying used tires for it from one of his students. The video camer...

11/06/2025

THE COWARDLY LION, Volume VI, Chapter XVI

The return home was rocky, which I was trying to get used to happening after a mission. There was no letup in the vastly complex design of what was happening to my life. The college was demanding work on the Ph.D. while the new offices were demanding discovery, rentals and populating with employees I could not comprehend finding. My friends and myself had to have money. Allen Weh was proving ever more difficult to deal with and my control officer was using his own form of humor to irritate the hell out of me. Meanwhile, I had to protect my family and fortify my home. The life of an active secret agent working in the field is not nearly as secret as I would have imagined, and it would only get worse.

Please contribute to this writing adventure and cause by purchasing the books and going to the fund me page. You can order any books on the site and get them signed and inscribed at your request for a few bucks more. This series of novels has every likelihood of truly going places. So, consider, and then come along!

I hung up the phone after getting assurances from Tony that the cash would be available at the base on the following day. The payroll office would have it, but I wondered what the effect would be of so much cash going in and out of that place, which was staffed by real humans who […]

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

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