Enough Light to See the Darkness

Taylor Caldwell was the author of 40+ novels that went through three periods of her development as a famous novelist. Her Dynasty of Death Series offered a view of an America governed by unscrupulous movers and shakers who used their growing fortunes to dominate even the halls of Congress. Her Mediterranean novels gave us the founding of the modern world running through Pericles, Julius Caesar, Cicero, and even Genghis Khan, including the sayings – interpreted by the author – of the famous leaders of their day. Especially her masterpiece, saved for when she was at the pinnacle of her fame: "Dear and Glorious Physician," the presentation of St. Luke as a more relatable Jesus, and an offering of the New Testament in the vision – not stated explicitly – of the heretic Marcion. All done with a background of Jesus Christ coming from an ancient persona she called "The Unknown God." Her last series of novels cast modern America as having betrayed its destiny as a supremely conservative entity destined to worship an autocratic leader. This joint biography gives a coherent story relevant to current political events based on Taylor Caldwell as a recognized forerunner of TBD-Conservatism. TC was born in 1900 and was still publishing feverishly until 1980, though she was incapacitated until her death in 1985. Her mistreated daughter Peggy became a complicated appendage to TC''s life for what remained of it, including the complex period from 1980 to 1985, while she attempted to wrest control of TC from TC''s last husband, Robert Prestie. Only near the end of TC''s sentient period did she recognize that Peggy was the only dependable person in her life.