The Appalachian: A Novel

At the age of 128, Carlton Jeffries finds himself with a unique distinction. He’s the only remaining baby boomer—a generation raised against a backdrop of dramatic social change. But in the year 2087, hardly anything remains of the radical ideas and dreams the boomers brought to life.

Left with nothing but a simple tumble-down shelter on Maine’s Appalachian Trail, Jeffries takes a moment to reflect on his long and turbulent life and how the world has evolved toward its current state—from the political fracture of the United States to inevitable social and climate change.

Beginning with the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jeffries recounts a unique history filled with heartaches, triumphs, and disappointments, as well as love lost and found. Throughout moments of uncertainty and soul-searching, hiking the Appalachian trail remains a constant source of stability, both in the nostalgic past and the distant future.

The Appalachian is a compelling look at the lives of the baby boomer generation—including the historical events that would forever shape their futures. Spanning 128 years, this thought-provoking read serves as both an insightful glimpse into the past and a warning of what the future could have in store.