1 What am I doing here?

You must be curious about Irish Orphanism – or the American Dream. Or BOTH!

2 What are YOU doing here?

I'm the "Inmate" – and I'm here to try to answer your questions as accurately and as truthfully and as interestingly as possible.

3 Is Inmate 651 really a true story?

Every word is true. I lived it all myself . . . as Inmate 651 at the Home in Stranorlar, County Donegal, Ireland. And the story isn't over.

4 Why would I find this book an interesting read?

You may or (who knows) you may not. But as one of the Lucky Ones, I actually NEED to tell this story, if for no other reason than to share just why I'm so lucky . . . with you. But only if you're really interested in knowing.

5 How would I know this?

You'll know. If you poke around the website - even a wee bit – you'll know before you know it. I'd check the "Nutshell" story first. It's linked on the bottom of the Home Page. Next, I'd try the Overview – just to get the longer, higher view of things.

6 So what's the longer, higher view?

Not to steal the thunder of the Overview – which you really need to see before you get too far – but the story is told in a "tandem" way. Meaning that the ESSENCE of the story is in the book (and ONLY in the book) – while the greater and deeper DETAIL, more of my perspectives, photos, artifacts, documents, music, interviews, etc. – that really CAN'T be in the book – can be found ONLY on the WEBSITE!

7 So the website isn't just a "promotional" device??

You've got it! The natural (but very different) values of the core BOOK and amplifying WEBSITE work together. The synergistic, complimenting, tandem media formats COMPLETE the story TOGETHER . . . in ways that neither one alone could do.

8 Then which medium is most important?

The BOOK is most important. It's the essence. But if you've read the book, you'll need the website to add details and answer certain curiosities. If you've really investigated, ingested and consumed the website, it will be my personal and blatant objective (the real goal of every author) to direct you to and through the book!

9 So you're saying I'm trapped?

Well, you've come this far, and you're still with us . . . :-). But I think you'll find – and it won't take long – that it's not about the tandem format . . . it's about the story.

10 So what's next?

Turn yourself loose! Do the NUTSHELL – see the OVERVIEW – and don't miss the GALLERY! If my story's not for you . . . you'll know. If it is . . . you'll need the book.