On the Precipice of Labyrinth

Author Brian Snowden is publishing his third novel, “On the Precipice of the Labyrinth”, which brings to life the turmoil in Spain during the 1930s from the perspective of a young American man. Snowden is an experienced writer and college professor, and his extensive familiarity with the Spanish language, travels to Spain and knowledge of the history of Spain make this a compelling read.

The Spanish Civil War is a major conflict often overlooked due to the other events that were occurring during the tumultuous decade of the 1930s. Europe was going through a transition period bridging World War I and World War II. There was the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany, the exploits of Benito Mussolini in Italy, and the difficulties of the spread of Communism as a response to impending dictatorships. Spain was struggling not only with the recognition of its complex past with the Conquests in the Americas but also with the establishment of a new identity in the twentieth century.

“On the Precipice of the Labyrinth” is the story of a young American, William Bennett, who has learned the Spanish language in his hometown of Charlottesville and had exposure to what is happening in Europe due to his father’s position as a professor at the University of Virginia. Bennet has learned enough that he is highly compelled to visit Spain and find out for himself what the situation is.

Bennett sets out of his sojourn completely alone. He crosses the Atlantic working on a cargo ship, arrives in northern France, and manages to travel to the Spanish border doing odd jobs and hitchhiking. When he arrives in Spain he has a series of encounters with some people who provide some insights, and eventually establishes relationships with the other three key individuals in the novel. Bennett unwittingly becomes involved in a precarious journey that exposes him to the political, cultural and religious difficulties in Spain, with life-altering consequences for all four.

Snowden is originally from central Virginia and calls Charlottesville his hometown. He is the son of Lawrence and Martha Snowden. Lawrence was a highly decorated US Marine Lt. General who served in WWII in the Pacific and participated in the battles of Saipan, Tarawa and Iwo Jima. The family moved frequently due to the military connection. Growing up Snowden lived in places across the country, from Englewood NJ to Pearl Harbor HI.

The family spent two years in France when Snowden was a child. The time in Europe exposed Snowden to the cultures and history of several countries in western Europe. In France he had his first introduction to Romance Languages, and has since studied Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Snowden had two career phases. The first was working in the business world for twenty-five years, primarily in international business. The second was as a college professor at the Cincinnati Branch of Wilmington College for fifteen years. He has lived in seven states and traveled to more than forty-five countries.

Snowden has had a lifelong interest in a wide variety of subjects. These include Romance languages and linguistics, history, psychology and especially philosophy. He has degrees in Spanish - BA from the U. of Virginia; Master’s in Global Business from Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management; a PhD in Organizational Behavior & Development from the Union Institute & University. His favorite authors include John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Philip Roth, John Irving, Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.