In A Clearing of the Way, John Montfort Gist takes the reader on a strange journey into the realm of mythology, religion and realism. Jacob Izarra, of Basque heritage, has lost his way in America. His journey, at times violent, at other times loving, forces him to define for himself what it is to be an American. At heart, A Clearing of the Way, is a love story whose fruits are prophetic, terrifying and hopeful at the same time. Nature herself is the protagonist in the story, a character who demands, like the God of the Old Testament, to be heard. Failure to listen brings with it the promise of fiery wrath.