The Fourth Generation

Something is killing fetuses before they are born—a scourge affecting people around the globe, and scientists can’t find the culprit. At the same time, a strange sickness is causing organ failure among healthy people. 

Veregro, the world’s primary provider of seeds and fertilizers, and one of the most effective generators of food throughout the world, is offering a million dollars to anyone who can discover the causes of these two mysterious killers. Except…Veregro’s own seeds and fertilizers are the cause, fifty years after they were put into widespread use. Now the Fourth Generation is dying. 

Charlotte Winters, once one of Veregro’s lawyers, is the leader of a Shangri La in far Northern California—a community that grows its own food. It has never used Veregro seed or fertilizers, and the people who live at The Orchard are healthy and safe. 

When one of Veregro’s lab techs uncovers new research that directly incriminates Veregro, he takes it to Veregro’s PR director, Walter Conroy, whose own research twenty years before pointed to Veregro. Walter takes it to the CEO. The next day, the lab tech is dead.

Walter realizes he’s in danger, and seeks out Charlotte to try to stop Veregro before more people die. But Walter and Charlotte are in the company’s sights. Will they be able to convince the world that Veregro’s own products are killing fetuses and people? Or will the CEO manage to silence them?

Roy Mankovitz (1941-2011) was a U.S. entrepreneur, rocket scientist, lawyer, inventor, nature-based illness prevention researcher, and author. Born in New York City, Mankovitz graduated with a degree in engineering science from Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, and from the University of LaVerne College of Law with a juris doctor degree. He was a member of the California and Federal Bars, and a licensed patent attorney. Mankovitz joined Rocketdyne, then a division of North American Aviation, where he designed and developed engine control systems for Gemini and Apollo spacecraft and the Lunar Descent engine, and developed digital solenoid valve drivers that enabled the control of large valves with a minimum of electrical power. A few years later, Mankovitz joined the Guidance and Control Division at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he authored computer programs and designed control systems for Mars landing vehicles and deep space probes. In 1968, Mankovitz took a position as director of engineering at a division of Teledyne which produced electromechanical relays, where he developed and patented the first commercially produced solid state relays. Mankovitz also co-founded Chardonnay Corporation, which designed and produced remote-controlled systems that revolutionized the pool and spa industry by automating the operation of pool-spa combinations. In 1991, Mankovitz joined a start-up company, Gemstar Development Corporation, as its in-house intellectual property counsel, as well as a member of its research and development team. During his tenure, he became a director and officer, and built Gemstar into a patent powerhouse in the field of consumer electronics. In 1998, Mankovitz founded Patentlab, LLC, devoted to researching, designing, patenting, and licensing his intellectual property. Mankovitz continued his entrepreneurial interests in the field of consumer electronics as co-founder, director, counsel, and chief strategy officer for Web Tuner Corp., a Redmond, Washington, based high-tech startup devoted to the convergence of the internet and television viewing. He also directed his entrepreneurial interests into the field of health by co-founding Berrynol, Inc., to promote his patented technology in the area of topical photo-protective preparations. In 2005, Mankovitz founded Montecito Wellness, LLC, with his wife, Kathleen Barry, Ph.D., which is dedicated to research in the field of primary illness prevention through technology, products and processes based on nature. The first book he published on the subject is The Wellness Project - A Rocket Scientist's Blueprint for Health. Mankovitz published two more books on health and wellness: Nature's Detox Plan - A Program for Physical and Emotional Detoxification; and The Original Diet - The Omnivore's Solution. The overall premise of his research is that nature is a template for healthy living, and when married to our evolutionary heritage, optimizes our health, even to the point of overcoming past illnesses. Roy Mankovitz died on July 10, 2011.

Alan Mankovitz is co-owner of the internet marketing and information service company, Egravitas, which specializes in providing online information about concerts, sports and theatre events. He previously worked on the creative development of promotional campaigns for clients like Disney and TVG Network, writing much of the marketing and advertising copy. He also has extensive experience with Warner Music Group as a liaison between the creative and manufacturing processes for packaging, advertising, marketing, publicity and promotional materials. He specialized in interpreting artistic visions and bringing them to life on budget and on time. Overseeing production for Warner Bros. Records' entire release schedule, he worked on projects for a wide range of artists including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Green Day, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Petty and many others. He was awarded a Platinum Record by Maverick Records for his assistance on a Madonna release and has spearheaded a number of projects that went on to win Grammy awards for packaging. Alan holds a BA in film and television production from California State University, Northridge, and in 2004 was asked to produce a documentary on the work of a three-time Grammy award-winning art director. The film has been shown at art and design schools worldwide. His first published work was writing computer game reviews for Softline and Softalk magazine at the age of fifteen. He considers it a great privilege and delight to complete his late dad's novel.