The Recollections of John Brown

The Recollections of John Brown: in Short Stories and a Few Poems is the author's first release. It chronicles segments of his life written in short stories. Boyhood, Teens, Young Man, and The Poet are the four sections of the book.The Recollections take the reader on an emotional journey through the individual eyes of, first, a young boy; then a teenager; and finally, a young man growing up in America during a period that spans the decades of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The stories are quirky, humorous, serious, and enduring--drawing the reader into moments in time that not only shaped one man's life, but also defined his generation."Boy, Don't Jump" starts the adventure in the first section titled Boyhood, recalling how an episode of the Adventures of Superman convinces a young boy that with the simple addition of a towel tied around his neck, he can take off from the second-floor awning and fly, but after reality kicks in, he rethinks his fantasy and is saved by his aunt who is babysitting him and his siblings.The reader will also be drawn back to their own childhood through stories like "Laundry Day," "Big Kickball Game," and "Playing in the Rain." The section wraps up with two enduring stories: "A Walk with Momma" and "Momma Takes Us to Six Flags." The latter of which tells the story of his mother's determination to make sure her children's summer is eventful by treating them to a trip to Six Flags over Texas, even though she really can't afford it.Teens kicks in full throttle as he recalls the release of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video and the frenzy that surrounded it. The reader will rediscover the youthful vigor that followed them through their teenage years as they engulf themselves in stories titled "Dirty Movies," "Are You Done in There?" "Night Swimming," "Night Riders," "Skipping Out on a Ticket," and closing out with "Graduation Night."Young Man is the leap from youth to adulthood. With "One Show," the author embraces his dream of becoming a music star by teaming up with two talented cousins to perform in a talent showcase that would create bond and brotherhood that still stands today. Get ready to cheer and laugh as you read "We Want Rain," "Big Puker," Craps, "Tight-End Release," and "He Banked It In." Tears may well up as you are reminded about the sad and special episodes in your life that are brought to life while reading "Laurie Dies" and "My Grandson."Finally, the section titled The Poet allows author to express himself in a series of poems highlighted by "Hurricane," a poem about the challenges of dealing with a loved one trying to manage a mental disorder. In all, The Recollections of John Brown offers all who read it an opportunity to reflect not only the author's life adventures, but also on their own as well.

-- J. Benjiman