Undertow is the story of Michael Ross. It is the first in a series of three books about the life and times of this character, born into a loving but dysfunctional family, raised by a powerful mother whose life's experiences give him certain strengths, but also can be a venomous poison. This fictional memoir is filled with a young man's hopes, dreams, disappointments, adventures and misadventures. Michael Ross' journey deviates dramatically from most in numerous ways. He learns things about himself that are frightening. He takes paths that most men could not and would not. These paths lead him in harms way but also bring excitement and challenge upon which he seems to thrive. And it isn't just the missions that challenge him, it's trying to understand who he is, a hero or a cold blooded killer, a healer or an assassin. Chance and choice place all of these options on his plate. How will he manage such challenges? How will his mind hold together? An undertow is an unseen and dangerous force if you enter the water. Michael Ross enters the water repeatedly as if he is somehow obsessed with challenging and surviving such a force. How do nurture and nature build a persona? Undertow gives us a window to observe this process.