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Fun with Dick and Jane
1st Grade - Dick and Jane was my first real memory of reading. I vividly remember sitting in a semi-circle in front of Ms. Webster waiting to read the next sentence. At first everyone would count ahead to see which sentence you were expected to read out-loud, then Ms. Webster would randomly select someone. It then became a competition as to who could read their sentence without pausing. -
I Want to Be a G-Man
4th Grade - During a weekly trip to the library with the class, I discovered a series of books about the various law enforcement agencies. These books covered the beginning and the history of the Secret Service, the Texas Rangers, and most important, several books on the FBI. I could not get enough of the tales of the G-Men chasing such characters as Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty-Boy Floyd, and, of course, John Dillinger. I was certain I would become one of those fearless crusaders. -
Why Can't I Be a Superhero?
7th Grade - My family moved several times while I was growing up. One constant throughout that period was a collection of worn comic books. I believe every young boy dreamed of fighting crime or taking on the next super-villain. Comic books were an avenue of escape; yet, they were also a way of feeling grounded in a place of familiarity. -
George Orwell Scares Me
11th Grade - As with a large portion of high school students in America, George Orwell's 1984 was mandatory reading. Living in a small town, the events depicted in this dystopian work did not seem possible. As intended, this book brought about much debate about how society allowed itself to be ruled in such an oppressive manner. -
Stephen King Scares Me More Than George Orwell
After joining the military, reading for pleasure took an extended hiatus. While stationed in Germany, a good friend introduced me to the works of Stephen King. His stories opened a whole new world of imagination filled with terror, dark humor, and more than anything emotional impact. If any one single person or thing could be credited, or blamed, for vast library and my love of reading, that would be Stephen King. -
I'm Going To Be a Philosopher
Since joining the military, I had taken numerous college classes whenever I had free time. However, I did not have any particular focus. After taking an introductory philosophy class I thought I had found my calling. The writings of Plato, Socrates, Thoreau, Nietzsche, Jefferson, Calvin, and Hobbes dominated my every spare moment. However, the burdensome reading quickly dampened my spirit for pursuing what was once a pleasurable activity. -
What Did Everyone Else Do During the War?
After retirement I took an active interest in the non-fiction writings of others in the military field. Historical accounts of military actions, such as Mark Bowden’s Blackhawk Down and Killing Pablo, Michael Durant’s In the Company of Heroes, and Linda Robinson’s Masters of Chaos provided a new perspective on the profession I had recently left. -
Dick and Jane (again)
With my youngest son entering school, the opportunity for reading for pleasure took another hiatus. However, this also provided me with the opportunity to reconnect with my son as he began learning to read. While the books were no longer Dick and Jane, who apparently had grown up and moved on to other adventures, the familiar struggle of sounding out each and every word as he read each line brought back memories of old. -
The Age of The Political Thriller
I happened upon a news article discussing two authors who were taking the political thriller genre to new and exciting levels. The writing styles and subjects of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor were almost identical. Both were able to invoke a setting within the mind that could be easily seen and imagined. Their caliber of writing brought back the interest in fiction that had been lost many years prior. Sadly, Vince Flynn passed away from cancer at the height of his success. -
I'm Never Going to Write Anything Ever Again
I procrastinated starting a graduate level education program for many years. After beginning the program, I quickly realized how extensive and intensive the reading requirements were. Once I began the process of researching for my thesis, reading peer-reviewed articles and academically acceptable material dominated my every waking moment. I swore I would never read or write anything of an academic nature again. However, the topic of my research remains a primary interest, even today.
