Keith L. Cooper is proud to present his literary debut, Taking the Mask Off: My Journey From Dr. Seuss to the Bible. This is a complex and deeply authentic, honest story that involves themes of being true to oneself, and beyond.
In this compelling work, the author weaves a tapestry of inspiration drawn from a variety of sources, with a profound affection for Alaska’s rugged beauty serving as a vivid backdrop. At the heart of this narrative is a resonant exploration of mental health, approached with a striking and raw vulnerability. The book delves into the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of our overall well-being: the courage to acknowledge our vulnerabilities and the strength found in seeking help. Through powerful storytelling, the author invites readers into a deeply personal journey, offering an intimate look at the struggles and triumphs associated with mental health. This narrative not only captivates but also illuminates the importance of vulnerability in our quest for healing, leaving an indelible impact on every reader.
The tale is about taking off our many masks and becoming vulnerable, from someone who has tried to be someone he wasn’t and realized that it wasn’t working. He takes the reader through stories outlining his summer weekends spent with his his dad in a special place, called The Cabin. It’s clear his love for this special place and the lessons he learned there from his dad serve as the catalyst that led him to West Point and beyond. Keith would later serve in the Infantry and later complete Airborne training, and Ranger training. He would serve in the Army for 26 years, doing some highly meaningful work. He was in the Pentagon on 9/11. Then, he would serve as brigade commander in Iraq and later as Chief of Staff. This impressive record supports even more strongly his message that if he can open up, we should open up.
On the pages of this book, the mask finally comes off. For a long time, the author narrates how he hid behind conformity and tried to fit in, stuck on the path others were treading.
The COVID lockdown gave Keith the opportunity to think for himself and realize many things, collect these thoughts, and write this book. Throughout the months, he wrote more and let the words flow straight from his heart onto the page.During this difficult time, he faced the loss of loved ones and relationships, not just due to COVID, but also to other causes. Unfortunately, he lost his mother to cancer. All that happened while he felt as isolated as others were. During this time, Keith was finally able to take stock of his life and write down his experiences, often going into difficult topics that even he felt were hard to read, emotionally speaking.
Keith is a multifaceted individual – an executive, author, and former soldier, as well as a pilot. He is deeply committed to volunteering, particularly in animal rescue efforts, and has actively contributed by flying supplies to remote areas during the Covid pandemic.
Readers will learn many things and many lessons that Keith hopes to share, lessons learned from his time at the cabin on Long Lake, a special place that allowed him to grow in ways he now hopes to share with others. His experience draws from his time with his father in the Alaskan outdoors and the teachings of the Bible. Perhaps the biggest lesson one takes away is not what happened when he strayed from the lessons of Dr. Seuss, the lessons from his dad and the lessons of the bible. The biggest lesson is what he did to get back on track when he got lost.
If you enjoyed this book, you might also want to look out for Keith’s upcoming novel release, The Sixteenth Republic, which promises to explore many of the same themes, such as a love for Alaska, equality, service, and more.
Taking the Mask Off: My Journey From Dr. Seuss to the Bible is a book that is sure to interest thoughtful readers looking for vulnerable, raw writing with a lot of lessons and ideas to explore. You can find the book on Amazon and visit the website for more details.