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He disappeared without a trace… and returned with secrets no one could imagine.
In 1978, Steven Kubacki vanished from the ice of Lake Michigan, presumed dead—only to reappear 15 months later under a new identity. This coming-of-age true story and self-discovery memoir hints at a life lived in shadows: secret missions, hidden alliances, and journeys that spanned continents. What he did, where he went, and who he became remain shrouded in mystery, making this life-changing memoir a gripping, extraordinary story of transformation and resilience.
From daring adventures abroad to encounters that tested his mind, body, and spirit, Kubacki’s experiences blend adventurer stories, inspirational nonfiction, and extraordinary stories into a tale that challenges everything you think you know. Filled with rare letters, personal reflections, and moments of profound self-discovery, this memoir explores trauma recovery, identity, and the transformative power of a secret life lived on the edge.
You’ll discover:
Glimpses of an unexplained disappearance that stunned the world
International adventures and secret training that pushed every limit
Encounters that shaped his mind, spirit, and purpose
Rare letters, poetry, and personal reflections revealing hidden truths
Lessons in resilience, trauma recovery, and finding one’s path
For readers seeking life-changing memoirs, coming-of-age true stories, and inspirational nonfiction filled with mystery and adventure. Fans of The Stranger in the Woods, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, or American Radical will find The Disappearance an unforgettable journey into identity, courage, and the extraordinary.
List of contents
Table of Contents
Prologue: Skiing onto the Ice
Chapter 1: The Disappearance
Chapter 2: The Reemergence
Chapter 3: A Flexible Sense of Reality
Chapter 4: The Origins of the NRF
Chapter 5: Nathan T. Stanfield
Chapter 6: The Jaguar
Chapter 7: The Dark Monk
Chapter 8: A Mother's Intuition
Chapter 9: Back in the USA
Chapter 10: The Meeting
Chapter 11: The French Foreign Legion
Chapter 12: The End of the NRF
Chapter 13: The Wandering Monk
Chapter 14: Keeping the Silence
Epilogue: Post-Disappearance
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
P.S.
About the author
Steven Kubacki, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, mountaineer, and former academic professor, department chair, clinical director, and Fulbright-Hays Scholar, whose name became internationally known after his mysterious disappearance near Lake Michigan in 1978. After vanishing without a trace for fifteen months, Kubacki reappeared with no memory of the lost time—an event that has fueled decades of speculation, conspiracy theories, and viral internet fascination.
Despite media attention, Kubacki remained silent about his disappearance for over four decades. Now, in his long-awaited memoir, he offers a firsthand account of the mystery that captivated millions. Drawing from his professional background in psychology, Kubacki examines his own experience through scientific, philosophical, economic, political, and metaphysical lenses.
He is also the co-author of
Meta-Mathematical Foundations of Existence, a theoretical exploration of mathematics, consciousness, and cosmology.
He currently resides in Seattle, Washington.
stevenkubacki.com
