While David Perry no longer sails the world's seas in reality, he continues to do so in his imagination. 

Perry, a Liberty Lake resident since 2012 and a local author, has recently self-published his second book, a historical novel about the U.S. Navy during the American Revolution.

While the historical details for both of his books came from extensive research, Perry is a veteran himself and has experienced Navy life firsthand. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., with a degree in physical science in 1981 and spent five years on active duty. The first four years were spent on a LST, a ship that carries marines and tanks. Perry would be at sea for up to six months at a time while his wife, Bonnie, was at their then-home in San Diego. Bonnie estimates that during the first four years of their marriage, she and David only actually lived together for about two-and-a-half years of it.

Perry left the military to work in the corporate world but continued with the reserves until retirement in 1999. Now, instead of being in the Navy, he writes about it; specifically, the birth of the Navy during the American Revolution.

"I've always enjoyed reading British novels of that era, and there didn't seem to be a lot about the American Navy," Perry said. "So I just decided I've read enough of them, I can probably write these."

The main characters in Perry's two books are considered to be fathers of the U.S. Navy.  Both books, "Not Self but Country" and "The Crucible of Tradition," follow John Barry and John Paul Jones as they sail into battle against the British Navy and against the odds. These heroes had everything against them; the British Navy was a force to be reckoned with and the fledgling U.S. fleet had small vessels, most recently used as merchant ships poorly equipped for battle. The books detail the everyday struggles of the men that started our country and how these early leaders not only faced down death but also treason and the many challenges of creating a new government.

"Part of the reason I'm writing them is to get back to the kind of heroes that were in the Revolution," Perry said. "I want people to understand what it felt like to make a decision to rebel and take up arms against your king and your government."

Perry has had some everyday struggles of his own making his books a reality. Working a full-time job for Compassion International, a Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the development of children living in poverty around the world, it takes him about a year and a half to finish each book. He does most of his writing on Saturday mornings. Perry gets up early and finds a restaurant or coffee shop and works for two or three hours while drinking coffee. A large part of "Not Self but Country" was written at Barlows Restaurant in Liberty Lake.

More time consuming than writing, though, is the research that goes into Perry's books. 

"I try to make the books as accurate as possible," he said. "Almost all the main settings are historically accurate. Its two-to-one, research to writing, but the internet makes that easy."

Perry's love for sailing, learned while attending the Naval Academy on the East Coast, also helps with historical accuracy. His technical knowledge as to how sailing ships work and their limitations as war ships allow him to add depth and detail to his scenes. 

Having a good editor also helps. Perry's parents moved to Liberty Lake two years ago to be near him and Bonnie, and his 82-year-old father edits all of his work. Perry describes his dad as an avid reader and an expert on grammar, although he's never written a novel himself.

Once one book was published, Perry didn't pause long to celebrate the victory. After completing "Not Self but Country," he launched immediately into "The Crucible of Tradition" with no time off in between. Currently, he is working on a short story that switches the focus from the Navy to the role of the U.S. Marines during the Revolution. Once he completes that, Perry plans to develop that concept into a full-length novel, probably in another year and a half.

Perry's works are available on Amazon, or follow him online at www.facebook.com/davidcperry81.

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"The Crucible of Tradition," David C. Perry's latest book and the sequel to "Not Self but Country," is a fictionalized account of real-life heroes John Paul Jones and Captain John Barry as they spend 30 years fighting for American independence from Great Britain. Their story of war and rebuilding takes the reader from the Atlantic seaboard to the beautiful waters of the Caribbean and back to the European homelands of the lead characters. Winning the war turns out to be only half the real battle, though, as the struggles continue after the American victory for these heroes as they work, with extremely limited resources, to establish a new nation and a new Navy.    

To our friends and neighbors in the greater Spokane Valley: 

The holidays are a time of celebration, and Spokane Valley Partners works hard every year to share this celebratory spirit with the food bank clients served. 

Specifically, the organization provides "holiday food baskets" for Thanksgiving and Christmas to help all of our neighbors celebrate this special season. 

As with everything Spokane Valley Partners does, these efforts are only as successful as the many partners who contribute to the cause. Would you consider making a special effort to focus on donating food basket items like instant mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, green beans, corn, muffin or cornbread mix, fruit, dessert mixes or other similar holiday items as Spokane Valley Partners gears up for the holiday season? 

Donations can be dropped off at 10814 E. Broadway Ave., or call Spokane Valley Partners with any questions at 927-1153. 

Thanks for joining us in helping to make this season bright for our entire community. 

Sincerely, 

The Arger Family