Telluride Promise by Edward Massey


C.C. Wain, a small town banker, saves his depositors from losing their money in the banking failures of the Great Depression. He tells his story in the simple language of a modest man who never views himself the way his world did — as a depression-era Robin Hood. This fictionalized account of actual events takes us through his intricate manipulations to “borrow” the money, the hillarious nationwide manhunt leading to a chance apprehension, and the dedicated prosecution he suffered, ultimately for a crime he didn’t actually commit. Released from prison three months before FDR signed into law the very act for which he had been jailed. C.C. lives life in obscurity long enough to see all his debts repaid. Along the way, readers will glimpse how the blind self-interest of bankers and prosecutors justifies any loss suffered by others at their hand.

Telluride Promise is as relevant now, eighty years later, as it was in the time of C.C. Wain. We face once again a crisis of crushing despair that sadly needs simple men to stand up for the promise they gave to people who trusted them. We need C.C. Wain more than ever. He lives with us in his words and in this book.

Telluride Promise Advances to Amazon Breakthrough Novel Quarterfinals


Amazon.com and Penguin Group (USA) have named Telluride Promise a quarterfinalist of the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, an international competition in search of the next popular novel.

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, which began January 25, 2010, considers up to 10,000 entries from authors around the world. The contest is co-sponsored by Amazon, Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace. On or about April 27th, 2010, the top 100 Semifinalists will be announced at www.amazon.com/abna. Amazon customers will then read excerpts and vote on the three finalists to select the winner who will be announced on June 14, 2010. During the Finals, a Celebrity Reviewing Panel will weigh in with their comments on the three finalists' manuscripts for customers to consider while voting.

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Recent News

Telluride Promise is selected as an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award quarterfinalist.

Edward Massey introduces Telluride Promise to PlumTV and answers questions about the themes inspired him to write the book. Watch the interview online.

Edward Massey discusses the validity of a banker's promise for the Providence Journal. Read the article.