Long before the X-Files, nearly 70 years before Roswell, President James Garfield, mortally wounded by an assassin's bullet, summoned a young, educated Cherokee half-breed, Jonah "Ten Killer" Montana, to his seaside retreat to launch a campaign to investigate unexplained and troublesome mysteries plaguing the post Civil War nation. Mysterious "airships" were being sighted, tales of strange and often alien creatures were threatening to hamper the spread of civilization westward, fantastic supernatural tales of Indian lore were frightening settlements, and there were rumors of a diabolical secret plot to disrupt the Young Republic's very existence through conspiracies and key assassinations in a diabolical plan to change the face of a fledging nation and establish a One World Order masterminded by a diabolical and ancient alien race. Montana is charged by the President with initiating a campaign to uncover the truth behind America's most puzzling and threatening mysteries, and to report directly to the nation's chief executive. With the counsel of his grandfather, a full blood Cherokee elder and spiritual leader with ancient knowledge and unexplained abilities, and with the assistance of the beautiful and adventurous Molly Langtry whose uncle has been institutionalized after an alien encounter, Montana begins the task of chasing down monstrous creatures in the mountains, troubled spirits and ghosts among the native tribes, and searches for the origin of the flying ships and the strange creatures said to pilot them across the blue skies of the American West. Underlying his mission is the task of uncovering a growing conspiracy by a secret organization with designs to bring down America's government and undermine its quest for a free and democratic society. Join Jonah Montana on his journey across America's colorful Old West as he investigates the nation's most complex mysteries, alien encounters, dark conspiracies and strange tales of monsters, ghosts and the unexplained. Close Encounters of the Old West is based on actual documented incidents of 19th Century America and dramatized to provide the reader a roller coaster ride of suspense and action with colorful characters and historical references, complete with a comprehensive appendix outlining real historical accounts of alien sightings and encounters and Native American myths and legends and how they relate to more modern reports of alien interaction and UFO sightings and how they shed light on the greatest mysteries of the human race. Close Encounters of the Old West is a unique blend of science fiction, horror and the unexplained supported by historical accounts of actual encounters and a study into how ancient Native Americans may have had knowledge that could shed light on and reveal the truth about extraterrestrial visitation and involvement in human history since the beginning of life on Earth. Above all the story is a great read combining the styles of a Louis L'Amour western and a Robert Heinlein Sci-Fi yarn that will provide hours of fun and thought-provoking entertainment in a unique and speculative style with historical overtones that will leave the reader wondering at the truths it may reveal about America's colorful past involving Close Encounters of America's Old West. Logan Hawkes is an award winning writer, journalist and recurring guest on numerous radio shows and popular History Channel programs including the Ancient Aliens series, whose broad knowledge of ancient American history, myths and legends provide insight into the mysterious past. Winner of the Hearst Award and an author of an audio docu-drama series about Ancient American mysteries, Hawkes brings years of storytelling experience and knowledge of Native American tales to life for the reader. Hawkes' own Cherokee heritage provides the backdrop for this rollicking adventure into America's Old West.