Breaking the Zeitgeist - Book Tour and Giveaway

​Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of modern existence with "Breaking the Zeitgeist: How To Be Happy In A World Gone Insane."

Breaking the Zeitgeist:
How To Be Happy In A World Gone Insane
by Keith Nobles
Genre: Literary Fiction

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of modern existence with "Breaking the Zeitgeist: How To Be Happy In A World Gone Insane." In this captivating tale, join Jacob, a disillusioned young man, as he grapples with the complexities of contemporary life. Feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainties of his existence, Jacob seeks solace in the wilderness alongside John, a seasoned companion whose wisdom illuminates the path to inner peace.

Amidst towering trees and crackling campfires, Jacob finds refuge in John's guidance, insights, and reflections. Over the course of several days, they delve deep into the root causes of societal confusion, exploring the elusive nature of contentment in a chaotic world. As their conversations unfold, Jacob begins to unravel his disillusionment, weaving together a newfound perspective brimming with clarity and resilience.

Through John's seasoned advice, Jacob learns invaluable lessons on thriving in a world teetering on the brink of madness. Armed with self-awareness and inner tranquility, Jacob emerges from the wilderness equipped with the tools to navigate the turbulent currents of modern life with grace and joy.

"Breaking the Zeitgeist" is a poignant work of domestic fiction that delves into the profound connections forged between two individuals amidst the wilderness. Join Jacob and John as they embark on a soul-stirring journey, navigating the complexities of modern America and the depths of the human spirit.


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​As the morning sun broke above the trees to the east, casting a warm glow on the campsite, John and Jacob found themselves not only in the company of each other but also in the embrace of a wilderness that whispered timeless truths. The coffee mugs, now halfway empty, symbolized more than just a morning ritual; they marked a shared moment of reflection and the beginning of a day to be spent with the heart of both nature and self-discovery.

Amidst the serenity of the morning in the mountains and forest, John and Jacob, mugs of coffee in hand, resumed their contemplative conversation. The previous night's discourse still lingered in the air, an unspoken foundation for the words that would follow.

John spoke with a certain gravity. "You see, Jacob, philosophy is a powerful guide to understanding life, but its true worth is tested in the crucible of real experiences. It's in the rawness of life, like spending the night here, that philosophical musings are either validated or reshaped or rejected out of hand."

Jacob, still absorbing the tranquil surroundings, nodded thoughtfully. "So, you're saying philosophy isn't just a set of ideas but something that needs to be lived and tested?"

"Exactly," John affirmed. "It's easy to philosophize in the abstract, detached from the messiness of reality. But when you confront the unpredictability of life, the philosophy you carry gets a reality check. It's like last night, surrounded by the quiet of the forest, we delved into ideas about happiness, truth, and the human experience. Now, as the morning unfolds, it's time to see how those ideas hold up in the light of day."

The aroma of coffee, intertwined with the pine-scented mountain air, created an intimate atmosphere for their exchange of ideas. The sun cast a warm glow on their faces, illuminating the earnestness in John's eyes.

"The night, the backcountry, they're testing grounds for what we believe," John continued. "Philosophy offers a compass, a way to navigate the complexities of existence. But the real understanding comes when you apply those principles to your own life, in real time and space and see if they hold up without having to resort to bullshit to justify them."

Jacob, recalling the challenges of the night before, ventured a question, "But isn't it risky to put such abstract ideas to the test? What if they don't hold up?"

John smiled, a hint of wisdom in his response. "That's the beauty of it, Jacob. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, what we think should work doesn't. It's in those moments of unpredictability that philosophy evolves. You adapt, refine, or sometimes discard ideas based on the realities you face. It's a constant process of learning and relearning."

As the coffee mugs were now cradled between their hands, John continued, "Take happiness, for instance. Last night, we discussed it in the context of solitude and nature. Today, as the sun rises and the wilderness awakens, observe how those ideas resonate with the simplicity of this moment. The philosophical truths we uncovered last night should find echoes in the quiet rituals of a morning coffee, don't you think?"

Jacob, inspired by John's insights, took a contemplative sip from his mug. "So, philosophy isn't a set of rigid rules but a living, breathing guide that adapts to the nuances of life?"

John nodded appreciatively. "Precisely. It's not about sticking to a script; it's about understanding the essence of these ideas and letting them shape your responses to the world. The real test is in how well philosophy aligns with the intricacies of your experiences and can you be honest about it with yourself."

John delved into a topic that had been lingering on the periphery of their conversations—the post-modern nihilistic world and its detachment from testing philosophy against reality. Coffee mugs in hand, they found themselves exploring the implications of a society that, in John's view, had lost its connection to the crucible of testing itself against truth and reality.

"Jacob, one of the challenges we face in the modern world is the separation of philosophy from the gritty terrain of reality. The post-modern era, marked by nihilism and a skepticism of overarching truths, has created a sort of intellectual bubble," John began, his gaze fixed on the distant mountain peaks visible through the trees to the west.
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Keith Nobles is the author of "Our Dogs Did Not Bark: A Politically Incorrect Dystopian Tale" and "BREAKING THE ZEITGEIST: How To Be Happy In A World Gone Insane."

Keith lives in Wyoming. An avid outdoorsman and motorcyclist, Keith is also a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He frequently speaks on Native American rights and history, sharing his insights and advocacy.


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What inspired you to write this book?
The sheer absurdity of our society and the incredible number of unhappy people who are unnecessarily unhappy, there is a way out of that.

What can we expect from you in the future?
Perhaps a sequel, readers have recommended it as they would like to see more from these characters.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Oh yes, the characters are a blend of real people I know/have known and they all have real backstories and side stories. I hope to expand on this if there is a sequel.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Breaking the Zeitgeist: How To Be Happy In A World Gone Insane?
An older man who has seen a lot of life having real conversations in the backcountry with a young man who is struggling, struggling to find his place in this present society and culture, a society and culture that proclaims all it values but none of the things it values are him. It is a story of how the young man grows to understand what is and is not of true value in this culture and how to apply that to his life in his pursuit if happiness and living the life he wants to live.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
The characters are premised on people I know/have known and the concept I am addressing is simple: there are so many unhappy people who need not necessarily be unhappy. There is an avenue out of that unhappiness and it is not difficult to find the avenue out for most people.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
I named them at random premised primarily on what names were popular at the time of birth these characters would have. The names reflect their generation.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Being able to thoughtfully address real things I see everyday, real problems making people genuinely unhappy or leading them to believe happiness is beyond their grasp. The characters explore the provenance of ideas and how those ideas play out in the lives of real people and the power they hold over people whole reaffirming the truth that we each get to decide what ideas will lead us to a life well lived and which will not. It is not a formulaic book and the back-and-forth between the characters is dynamic as they discuss and debate the real challenges and consequences of attempting to live a thoughtful life.

Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
The older man, John, genuinely wants to help the younger man out of his unhappiness and help him find a path, his own path, to being happy and what happiness is. The two men discuss and argue these ideas and philosophies and the practical application and which will help the younger man find his own path to happiness.

How did you come up with the title of your novel?
We definitely have a present zeitgeist of rationalizing and excusing the insanity and absurdity in the name of tribalism and the pursuit of power and this, as it has every time it has taken hold, produces enormous amounts of unhappiness. Solzhenitsyn said the only outcome for a society that embraces nihilism is to become a society of manipulators and there is little happiness to be found in manipulating each other.

Who designed your book covers?
Rob W. @cal5086 from Fiverr

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I don’t think so, more to say perhaps in a sequel but I very much think I said things that need to be said.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Writing it premised on the things I see every day drove home the level of absurdity and ridiculousness we are swimming in and the tragedy of people taking the absurdity seriously and even using absurdity to define themselves when that can only produce unhappiness.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Harrison Ford

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
If you are not someone the book directly applies to, you certainly know a considerable number of people it does directly apply to who need to read it.

How did you come up with name of this book?
For many years I have admonished people to ‘escape the zeitgeist’ so the title came quite naturally from that admonishment. Our present zeitgeist is not healthy for individuals or society.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?
The setting, a place I have been to countless times in the Rocky Mountains, a place without distraction, still very close to what it was a hundred or a thousand years ago. It represents the constancy of the world including the constancy of human nature.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I would spend the day with both characters doing exactly what they do in the book; discussing philosophy and ideas and applying those to reality and the world we live in and how to apply all of this to our lives in pursuit of happiness and a life well lived.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
The characters are based on real people, a blend of people, and real conversations I have known and had over years.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I have been told the characters are very relatable and likeable and the conversations are very real and relevant so from that I believe I have the reigns, this is what I set out to accomplish.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
The book is a must read because we have so many unhappy people, especially younger people, who have never been introduced to any classical or even modern concepts of what happiness actually is and how it is attained and certainly not how to apply that to a post-modern world. Consequently we have a considerable number of people who do not believe they can attain happiness when it is in truth attainable regardless of external events. This is a lesson to be aware of that we generally no longer teach. It is a very hopeful and optimistic book, while it explores the problems we have, it provides an avenue to happiness anyone can discover by applying a classical definition of happiness rather than the ephemeral post-modern definition.

Have you written any other books that are not published?
Not yet, starting research on a sequel.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Russian Imperial, if you read the book you will understand.

What did you edit out of this book?
Extraneous conversations that unnecessarily repeated previous points, though some points are approached multiple times in different ways as conversations can sometimes circle back to previous points with new thoughts and new enlightenment.

Is there an writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why? Solzhenitsyn and Augustine but they are long gone.

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?'-type tidbits about the author, the book or the writing process of the book.
I spend much of my time in exactly the setting of the book having these same conversations around a campfire with a cigar and beer and it is infinitely better and more profitable than the world of social media and streaming.

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