Several readers have asked me how Almost Human was “born.” I was working as the technical adviser and chimp trainer on a movie that starred Karen Allen and Armand Assante. One evening we were out relaxing after a long day of filming on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After a few drinks Armand commented on how human-like my chimp, Mike seemed. I put on my university professor hat and began pontificating on all the traits we humans shared with chimps including my work as a linguistic research assistant on a project in Reno that had successfully taught chimps to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL) as used by the deaf.
That evening after the bar closed I went home and wrote the second chapter where Dr. Turner is lecturing about the similarities and differences of chimpanzees in a University lecture hall at the University of Nevada, Reno. I had worked there on the signing chimp project. I wrote that chapter in about 1984 or so on an old Royal typewriter. Just before dawn, as I finished writing, Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” played on the radio. I put another paper in and wrote the first chapter before going to work.
Wow! That must of been a very interesting project. Thank you for sharing.
PS. I just ordered your book on Amazon, can’t wait to read it!
It was amazing to communicate and spend days in the company of chimps. Several chapters take place in Reno and are inspired by that project when I was part of it in the 70’s.
Tammy and I will be headed your way on our motos as we travel to Billings the long way around. Maybe we could meet and I’ll autograph your
copy. Warm regards, ken
We readers always love to hear the back stories! Love it. Thanks, Ken.
There is actually a back story for every chapter as I’ve draw from the experiences of my misspent youth! 🙂
I’m waiting to read your book, Lori! You’re the best writer of our group.
😊I thought I sent you the WWII book. No? I’m now about a third in to the Lake Arrowhead during WWII book.
Please send me the WWII book.
I’ll email you Bodies of Smoke today. Thanks, Ken!
Got it. I will read it on the road!
This makes me smile! You are such an amazing man and have lived and continue to live such an amazing life!!!
You were there. 🙂
Ken, you are amazing and we all are very very blessed to have known you then, your adventures and NOW!
Warm regards! 🙂
I want to buy a copy, so where and how. Secondly I would like you to sign it, if at all possible
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00YNINE7G
how about you come to the the private release party…ken
I can get one to you signed. The publisher is finally caught up and will be sending me some books. The advance copies completely sold out and I didn’t get any. Should get some this week. I will probably offer some for sale and autograph them if you’re interested. Many thanks for the kind words. Ken
Bro. I would love to have one. Hope you many wonderful adventures both in your book and upon your path.
Many thanks, Curt.