About The Book
The Historical Works of Lee E. Hollingsworth
Step into two of the most pivotal eras in human history through the meticulously researched works of Lee E. Hollingsworth. From the grueling trails of the American West to the high-stakes battlefields of World War II, these books offer an intimate look at the human spirit under pressure.
Book I: The Cost of California Gold
(The George Hollingsworth Letters)Nominated for the prestigious Ben Franklin Award for History in 2020, this narrative follows the mid-19th-century journey across the California Trail to working the mines of those seeking fortune during the Gold Rush. Never-before-seen letters reveal a story of grit and sacrifice, offering a deeply personal look at the tragic realities of the western frontier in the 1850s.
Book II: Before the Thunder!
Shifting focus to the 20th century, this book documents the harrowing experiences of a Forward Operations Team in the WWII European Theater. Now a distinguished 2026 IIBA Finalist for Author of the Year, this work serves as a powerful tribute dedicated to the memory of Walter Reeve Smith.
The narrative provides a rare, firsthand perspective of operating in the perilous “No Man’s Land,” the volatile space between enemy lines and the US Infantry lines. The Forward Operations group was tasked with the high-stakes mission of scoping out targets “Before the Thunder,” signaling the devastating shelling to follow.
Readers are invited to walk through Walter’s journey: from his idyllic early life in East Hampton, NY, through the rigors of Boot Camp in Texas, to his eventual deployment into the heart of the European Theater. This nominated work is more than a historical account; it is a visceral look at the courage required to stand at the front edge of war.
