About Craig Sowell
A collector of history.
A storyteller at heart.
Some stories begin with a blank page. Craig Sowell’s began with a grandfather’s stories, a fascination with history, and a lifelong curiosity about the people who came before us.
Craig Sowell
Outside the classroom, Craig is an avid coin collector and lifelong reader. He also enjoys playing euphonium in his church orchestra, performing in community theater, discovering new restaurants, working crossword puzzles, and spending time with his family and his dog, Tillie.
After writing previous works of nonfiction, Craig brings together two of his greatest passions history and coin collecting in his first work of fiction, Further Beyond: The Odyssey of a Silver Dollar. He is also developing future fiction projects, continuing his interest in stories where history, memory, and human experience meet.
For Craig, History Has Always Been Deeply Human.
More Than Dates and Names
Behind every artifact is a person. Behind every person is a story worth remembering.
Born in Houston and raised in Missouri City, Texas, Craig Sowell developed a fascination with history at an early age while listening to stories shared by his paternal grandfather. That curiosity grew into a lifelong interest in biographies, historical events, artifacts, and the everyday people whose experiences often disappear from traditional accounts of the past.
Craig’s professional journey has been just as varied. From restaurateur to funeral director to educator, he has spent his career working with people, listening to their stories, and observing the different ways lives intersect.
Today, he serves as a full-time professor at Austin Community College. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management and later completed a master’s degree in education from Northcentral University.
Craig Sowell
The Idea Behind the Book
“Every object carries a history. Sometimes we simply have to imagine the hands that carried it.”
Three Threads That Come Together
The author’s interests meet at the intersection of history, the objects we preserve, and the people whose stories we tell.
01
The Educator
Teaching keeps curiosity alive. For Craig, education is about more than remembering dates. It is about asking questions, examining evidence, understanding people, and discovering why the past still matters today.
02
The Collector
To a collector, a coin is never simply metal. Its scratches, wear, markings, and imperfections are evidence that it has traveled through real hands and real moments in time.
03
The Storyteller
Historical fiction creates a bridge between documented history and human imagination. Through storytelling, Craig explores the ordinary lives that may never have entered a history book but nevertheless helped shape the world around them.
Feedback
I really enjoyed Further Beyond. The idea of following a silver dollar through different periods of history is incredibly creative. What I liked most was how the coin connects the lives of completely different people. It made me think about how much history can be hidden inside something as simple as an old coin. Definitely a memorable historical read.
This was such an interesting way to tell a historical story. I loved following the 1776 Spanish silver dollar and seeing how its journey connects different people and generations. The book made history feel much more personal rather than just a collection of dates and events. I found myself wondering where the coin would go next. A very enjoyable and original concept.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a book centered around a silver dollar, but I was pleasantly surprised. The coin becomes a fascinating connection between different lives and historical moments. I especially enjoyed the way the story shows how ordinary people can become part of a much bigger history. It gave me a completely different perspective on old coins and artifacts.
I really liked the originality of this story. Using one silver dollar to travel through generations is such a clever idea, and it gives the book a strong sense of continuity. The historical setting adds another layer because you get to see how different people experience the changing world around them. There are plenty of moments that make you stop and think. A very interesting read for anyone who enjoys history.
What stood out to me most was the idea that the coin survives while the people around it continue to change. That creates a really interesting feeling throughout the story. I enjoyed imagining all the different hands the silver dollar passed through and the lives connected to it. The book also made me curious about the real history behind Spanish silver coins. Very creative storytelling.
News Letter
Go Further Into History
Join Craig Sowell for updates on Further Beyond, historical discoveries, coin collecting, new writing, upcoming releases, and the real history behind the stories.
