AIKEN --- Taking a chance on a second career, Ed Heffelfinger finally fell into the path he had wanted 40 years earlier.

With the publication of his first book, Will the United Nations Fail, Mr. Heffelfinger got to pursue his first love -- history.

During 40 years as a trust banker, he had put his interest in history and research on the back burner.

After retiring, he decided to get a history degree at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

"I got the idea (for the book) when I was taking history courses at USC Aiken," he said. "I went in with the idea that I believed that the U.N. was a viable organization, but I didn't think they were fulfilling their objective."

Two years were spent researching and editing the book before Mr. Heffelfinger started shopping for a publisher.

"Finding a publisher for a first-time writer is always very difficult. After I finished my manuscript, it took me four or five months to find one," he said.

Though he hasn't gotten a report on how the book is selling, Mr. Heffelfinger said he feels good about the local response and is already at work on another book.

"This is just something that has evolved. I like taking existing issues and involving history, look at where we are," he said. "Part of the discussion is to relate some of the issues in the past with issues we're facing today."

Will the United Nations Fail can be found at local bookstores and online.

For more information, contact Mr. Heffelfinger at eheffelf@bellsouth.net.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.