Local Author's Books Donated Worldwide

A local computer businessman has donated a slew of copies of a local author's books to an international nonprofit organization.

In turn, those books will be distributed to people in Third World countries.

Jim Robinette, former owner of Vettenibor Computer Services out of Brooksville, has donated the books, written by Jerry Cowling. The project is being done through International Book Bank, based out of Baltimore.

"I like that idea," said Cowling. "Anytime I can get a child interested in reading and learning, I'm all about that."

He has published two books - "Lincoln in the Basement" and "Sins of the Family." The latter is the author's most recent book, which is a fictional tale about a Cherokee Indian who thinks he is Moses, escapes a mental hospital in North Carolina and pledges to kill the person he believes is holding his people captive.

It is available both at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

"Lincoln in the Basement" is a fictional Civil War-era novel in which the Lincolns are held captive in the White House basement while the Secretary of War assumes power and sets out on a violent course of war.

It can be purchased by e-mailing Cowling at jdcowling@tampabay.rr.com.

The mission of International Book Bank is to increase literacy and advance education by shipping books and educational materials to developing countries, according to its Web site.