Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A son's ailing father helps him to dream again with the simple fulfillment's in life.
Synopsis
In this coming of age story, the authors military family moved every 4 years from air base to air base, up until the age of 12 years old. With his father's retirement from the military, his parents decide to move the family out west to Northern California, where the authors often misguided misadventures set him on a sketchy path at times. But, with the support of teachers, counselors and mentors, coupled with the enduring love of family. He is set onto a string of unbelievable circumstances, that send him onto an amazing adventure for someone so young.His incredible success crashes with the economy of 2008. Unemployed, nearly losing his home and barely making ends meet, he was given the priceless gift of spending time with his ailing father. This uniquely American story demonstrates how love, strength and encouragement from his father, helped him to dream again. Even when you are down, you find your best to move on with the simple fulfillments that life has to offer.
Synopsis
In this coming of age story, the authors parents decide to move the family out west to California, where his often misguided misadventures set him on a sketchy path at times. But, with the support of teachers, counselors and mentors, coupled with the enduring love of family. He is set onto a string of unbelievable circumstances, that send him onto an amazing adventure for someone so young. His incredible success crashed with the economy in 2008. Unemployed, nearly losing his home and barely making ends meet, he was given the priceless gift of spending time with his ailing father. This uniquely American story demonstrates that with a fathers love, strength and encouragement, even when you are down you find your best, you sharpen your pencil and never quit.
Synopsis
" The Last Lead Holder is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of this story, the powerful themes are universal, and important for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holder is highly recommended. " Self-Publishing Review 4.5 Stars
Synopsis
Remember pencils....? "Designing and Drafting homes became my passion" Author Richard Deatherage has created a memoir that will likely be a standard toward which all future memoirists will reach. Not only is the book beautifully written as a coming of age story, but it also is a reflection on Americana - the way we have lived and the impact of history on our families and our lives.In a sensitive prologue, Richard writes, "Our American way of life has given each of us the individual challenge to become successful in our own individual way, with all the opportunities and common freedoms to mold yourself into a career field you have chosen. The evolution of my early childhood had set forth an abundance of confidence early on in my life. To make difficult decisions and to change easily to what ever came my way - continuing to this day. My adventures growing up in the 1960's and 70's throughout America as an official United States Air Force Brat (USAFB) had given me a unique perspective on our American way of life."Deatherage recounts his witnessing racism, family struggles while his father served in Vietnam, absorbing the Midwestern life style while moving as a military family every four years, and his eventual settling in California, his passion for drafting discovered in Mechanical Drafting class in high school, to his successful career as a carpenter, draftsman, builder and construction superintendent, has lead in the blossoming of Sacramento area, the abrupt change in his life brought about by the infamous 2008 economic crash, and ultimately the death of his beloved father, All of this saga is related with the warmth that makes this book memorable. One aspect of Richard's novel - and indeed it does become a story worth of the term novel - There is an innocence here that is reminiscent of milder times, the aspects of yesteryear that continue to provide us with hope for a better tomorrow. The impact and importance of family is securely placed front and center- a treasured aspect of this fine memoir. recommended for all readers of all ages. Grady Harp July 19 2019 - Amazon hall of fame top 100 contributor." The Last Lead Holder is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of this story, the powerful themes are universal, and important for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holder is highly recommended. " Self-Publishing Review 4.5 Stars
Synopsis
Author Richard Deatherage, tells us his heart felt coming of age story, as he struggles through his unemployment during the recession of 2009. While visiting his ailing father, he go's up and down his parents stairway, walls filled with the family photos of his childhood. Soon a parade of memories comes flooding over him as he remises the untold stories of his youth with his parents, moving from air base to air base every four years while traveling through America, as a United States Air Force Brat "USAFB", he witnessed the racism of the Deep South of the late 1960's, to the bonding with his siblings in the wild Indiana countryside of the 1970's, to his fathers retirement from the military service, that takes them all back to California in 1976, with the chance at a new beginning. Follow the protagonist in so many ways, through his misadventures, mistakes, wins and losses, at its nadir, find the joy and pain spending precious time at a passing fathers side, well crafted, honest and beautifully written, fight, laugh, love and cry at one of the most amazing stories of a lifetime. Grady Harp July 19, 2019 top 100 Amazon hall of fame contributors, recommended for all readers of all ages...Remember pencils....? "Designing and Drafting homes became my passion" Author Richard Deatherage has created a memoir that will likely be a standard toward which all future memoirists will reach. Not only is the book beautifully written as a coming of age story, but it also is a reflection on Americana - the way we have lived and the impact of history on our families and our lives.In a sensitive prologue, Richard writes, "Our American way of life has given each of us the individual challenge to become successful in our own individual way, with all the opportunities and common freedoms to mold yourself into a career field you have chosen. The evolution of my early childhood had set forth an abundance of confidence early on in my life. To make difficult decisions and to change easily to what ever came my way - continuing to this day. My adventures growing up in the 1960's and 70's throughout America as an official United States Air Force Brat (USAFB) had given me a unique perspective on our American way of life."Deatherage recounts his witnessing racism, family struggles while his father served in Vietnam, absorbing the Midwestern life style while moving as a military family every four years, and his eventual settling in California, his passion for drafting discovered in Mechanical Drafting class in high school, to his successful career as a carpenter, draftsman, builder and construction superintendent, has lead in the blossoming of Sacramento area, the abrupt change in his life brought about by the infamous 2008 economic crash, and ultimately the death of his beloved father, All of this saga is related with the warmth that makes this book memorable. One aspect of Richard's novel - and indeed it does become a story worth of the term novel - is the manner in which he writes. Yes, there are typos and spelling errors and misplaced modifiers, but strangely, these "flaws" make reading the book more credible. There is an innocence here that is reminiscent of milder times, the aspects of yesteryear that continue to provide us with hope for a better tomorrow. The impact and importance of family is securely placed front and center- a treasured aspect of this fine memoir. Gary Harp -2019Self Publisher Review 4.5 stars" The Last Lead Holders is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of the story, the powerful themes are universal for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holder is highly recommended.
Synopsis
Author Richard Deatherage "The Last Lead Holders" tells us his coming of age story, as he struggled through his unemployment during the recession of 2008. While visiting his ailing father at his parents home. He recalls many childhood adventures growing up, his parents stairway walls filled with family photos, as a parade of memories flood over him.While moving from Air Force base to Air Force base every four years as a child, he recalls his travels through out America. He is a witness to the racism of the Deep South of the late 1960's, being bussed from school to school during the turbulent times of that era, all, while his father was overseas fighting the war in Vietnam. His father returns home from the war and they are reassigned to a new air base, moving to Bunker Hill Indiana, where he bonds even closer with his siblings in the wild Indiana countryside. His father retire's from the military service during the spring of "America's bicentennial of 1976", moving one final time to California, for a new beginning. Follow the protagonist in so many ways, through his misadventures, mistakes, wins and losses, at its nadir, find the joy and pain spending precious time at a passing fathers side, well crafted, honest and beautifully written, fight, laugh, love and cry at one of the most amazing stories of a lifetime.One aspect of Richard's novel - and indeed it does become a story worth of the term novel - There is an innocence here that is reminiscent of milder times, the aspects of yesteryear that continue to provide us with hope for a better tomorrow. The impact and importance of family is securely placed front and center- a treasured aspect of this fine memoir. recommended for all readers of all ages - Grady Harp July 19, 2019 top 100 Amazon hall of fame contributors, 5 stars...." The Last Lead Holders is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of the story, the powerful themes are universal for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holders is highly recommended." Self-Publishing Review, 4.5 stars....
Synopsis
Unemployed by the recession of 2008, author Richard Deatherage tells his coming of age story as he struggled through his unemployment, while visiting his ailing father at his parents home, he is reminded of his childhood growing up, going up and down his parents stairway, walls filled with family photos, a parade of memories flood over him, reminiscing the untold stories of his youth with his parents. Moving from Air Force base to Air Force base every four years. he lived and traveled throughout America as a U.S. Air Force brat, witness to the racism of the Deep South of the late 1960's, being bussed from school to school during the turbulent times of that era, all, while his father was overseas fighting the war in Vietnam. His father returns home from the war and they are reassigned to a new Air Force base, moving to Bunker Hill Indiana, he bonds even closer with his siblings in the wild Indiana countryside. His father soon retire's from the military service and moves them all back to California in the spring of 1976, with the "spirit of 76" filling there minds, as America celebrate's its bicentennial. Follow the protagonist in so many ways, through his misadventures, mistakes, wins and losses, at its nadir, find the joy and pain spending precious time at a passing fathers side, well crafted, honest and beautifully written. Fight, laugh, love, and cry at one of the most powerful story's of American life, "The Last Lead Holders"One aspect of Richard's novel "The Last Lead Holders" and indeed it does become a story worth of the term novel - There is an innocence here that is reminiscent of milder times, the aspects of yesteryear that continue to provide us with hope for a better tomorrow. The impact and importance of family is securely placed front and center- a treasured aspect of this fine memoir. recommended for all readers of all ages - Grady Harp July 19, 2019 top 100 Amazon children's books, hall of fame contributors, 5 stars...." The Last Lead Holders is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of the story, the powerful themes are universal for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holders is highly recommended." Self-Publishing Review, 4.5 stars....
Synopsis
THIS FIRST EDITION BOOK WILL BE REMOVED ON MAY 29TH 2020.Anna Otto 5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting bookReviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019Verified PurchaseVery interesting book. I enjoyed reading it. Highly recommend it.Amazon customer5.0 out of 5 starsGreat readReviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019Verified PurchaseThis is a great read, I really enjoyed the book. It reminds me of a much simpler time, before video games and cell phones.Grady Harp "Amazons hall of fame top 50 reviewers" 5.0 out of 5 starsRemember pencils....? 'Designing and Drafting homes became my passion'Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2019Verified PurchaseAuthor Richard Deatherage has created a memoir that will likely be a standard toward which all future memoirists will reach. Not only is the book beautifully written as a coming of age story, but it also is a reflection on Americana - the way we have lived and the impact of history on our families and our lives.Matt Hoffman 4.0 out of 5 starsHonest, authentic memoirReviewed in the United States on July 26, 2019Verified Purchase This novel is something like a time capsule. The author begins the story of his life by regaling the reader with his youth--affectionately referring to himself as a military brat, he spins a tale across the continent. For older readers, the nostalgia of a time before the internet and cell phones will be felt keenly. Younger readers will have an intriguing glimpse into a bygone era that they have never had the opportunity to experience themselves.Very honest, touching, and often even humorous. If you really enjoy genuine, authentic memoirs that have real emotional impact, you will certainly love The Last Lead Holders. I can't recommend it enough Haley 5.0 out of 5 starsGood and enjoyable readReviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019Verified Purchase'The Last Lead Holder' was an interesting read. Richard Deatherage writes about his life in a way that shows the series of events that lead him to become who he is today. The book is not too long and is a pretty fast read. There are so many unique things that Deatherage lived that give the reader a window into the experiences that shaped him; from growing up in a military family, experiencing a tumultuous time in America's history, and finding his passion in drafting and construction. A great read.A. Cannady5.0 out of 5 starsAn enjoyable readReviewed in the United States on August 2, 2019Verified Purchase"The Last Lead Holder" by Richard Deatherage is a memoir of the author's life told in a poignant and open tone. Deatherage moved around a lot as a child of a military parent, which is often difficult as it keeps children from putting down roots and making true friends. But Deatherage intersperses humor into his rough situations, lets the reader know how he used hope and faith to avoid getting bogged down into negativity, and pulled through a series of economic setbacks as an adult to become successful. It's a story many of us will be able to relate to, even if our situations aren't exactly the same. The struggles, the setbacks, the dependence on hope to get us through, waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel to appear - it's all there, and it's an enjoyable read as we get to know the author and his history as it shaped him through to who he is now.
Synopsis
THIS FIRST EDITION BOOK WILL BE REMOVED ON MAY 29TH 2020.
Synopsis
EDITION BOOK ON MAY 29TH 2020, changed cover name "The Last lead Holders - quest for fulfillment"
Synopsis
Every life holds pain in some form, but the means by which we find joy and connection can give existence purpose. As "The Last Lead Holder" author Richard Deatherage invites readers into his mind and memories, the trials and tribulations of his past, as well as his remarkable rise and fall. It is a memoir of family, of brutal perseverance, and of coming back from the edge only to find that life will always be worth living.In some ways, the author experienced the epitome of American life. Being raised on different military bases as a brat since birth, he not only saw different parts of this sprawling country, but also spent his formative years in some of the most turbulent times in American history. The 1960s and 70s were both profound and painful, with war, social turmoil and interpersonal conflict acting as the permanent backdrop for existence, and so for this tumultuous story. Deatherage finally settles into a slightly more stable, but no less challenging, life in California. His near-prodigious skill at drafting and being the visionary behind buildings all across that booming state make his life the stuff of dreams, but from every peak comes an eventual descent. The raw nature of his struggles bleeds out on these pages, and he wields the gift of creativity like a sword. Much of this book consists of reflections of his youthful years and the rapid rise towards success, interspersed with the dark days of the 2009 recession, when life didn't let up. The leaps forward and back in time create a more comprehensive image of the author, making it easier to see how the past can shape the present, and provide guidance for the future. Like Proust's madeleine, the author is thrown back into this parade of memory at the sight of his family photos while remodeling his parents' bathroom, a project that takes on an almost Sisyphean quality by the close of the book, in the fallout from his father's failing health. Fixing a room may seem like a heavy-handed allegory for the repairs we make on ourselves, but Deatherage never comes across as preachy, only profound and brutally honest about his own recollections.The Last Lead Holders is a tightly written memoir that will make readers laugh, cry, reminisce and dream of simpler times - although the times were never actually simple at all. Yet while nostalgia plays a big part of this story, the powerful themes are universal, and important for everyone to remember, regardless of their generation. The love that Deatherage holds for his father, despite the challenging and contentious roads they walked together (and apart) through life, is beautifully framed and laced with sincerity.The feelings readers are left with by the final page will be nothing less than profound. A painful and powerful story of American life, The Last Lead Holder is highly recommended. "Self-Publishing Review 4.5 stars" 2019Note from the author; " I had this book re-edited and proof read by a professional in May 2020, thank you for your feed back and enjoy the new version of the book." Sincerely, Richard Deatherage June 2020
Synopsis
Everyone is on their own quest for fulfillment ...finding out how to survive in the late 20th century helped the author Richard Deatherage fulfill his American dream at a early age. See how the last lead holders lived through the 1960's 70's and the 1980's ...without computers, to the beginning of the computer age, and with the explosion of the computer age ...too the hardships of the recession of 2008, were the author struggles through his unemployment hardship's while helping his ailing father adjust to his longtime illness, helping to remodel his parents restrooms to be handicap accessible ...he passes by the family photos on the stairway walls as he is reminded of his happy childhood, reminiscing stories lost in time with his father ...he tells of the untold adventures of his youth and the string of fortuitous circumstances that started his remarkable career at such a young age ...after the author finds work and starts to get back on his feet again, his fathers health takes a turn for the worst as his fathers final wish comes true ...this heart felt memoir will make you laugh, cry and reminisce of days gone by, standing as is a tribute to teachers, mentors, business professionals and to the love of family.
Synopsis
During the recession of 2008 the author comes to the realization that his 30 year architectural drafting career is coming to an end. With computers now at the forefront of architectural design, drafting with a lead drafting pencil is now a lost art as the last lead holders fade away ...but, if you can draw from a lifetime of experiences through the diversities that shaped your character and strengths, they can help you continue on with your quest for fulfillment's.
The author tells of his struggles through his unemployment hardship's while helping his ailing father adjust to his longtime illness, remodeling his parents bathrooms to be handicap accessible, he passes by the family photos on the walls as he is reminded of his happy childhood, reminiscing stories lost in time with his parents ...his coming of age story begins to unfold, taking you back in time to the first memories of a young child of a military family in Rapid City, South Dakota ...sometimes dark, the author's family moves to Columbus, Mississippi during the late 1960's as his family settles into an American society that they were not familiar with, as the social changes of those turbulent years takes his father off to war ...His father returns home from the war in Vietnam, moving to another air base in Bunker Hill, Indiana. It was a simpler time remembered, playing in the woods, creeks, lakes and rivers of his youth with his siblings, as his father retires from the U.S. Air Force in the summer the "spirit of 76" as America celebrated it's bicentennial. Remembering the settlers that went before them, they move across the country on there overland adventure to settle in the city of Citrus Heights, California ...It was still a time of innocence, when boys were free to explore the beautiful Sierra foothills and when every weekend was an adventure in the making. Follow the protagonist in so many of his misadventures, mistakes, wins and losses as the string of fortuitous circumstances that started his remarkable architectural career at a young age unfold ...bringing him back to the present day, as he finds the joy and pain of spending precious time at a passing Fathers side. Well crafted, honest and beautifully written, fight, laugh, love, and cry, with a story that will touch all your emotions, as it brings you back to the memories of a bygone era ... The Last Lead Holders - quest for fulfillment.
Synopsis
The recession of 2008 begins, as author Richard Deatherage comes to the realization that his 30 year career may be ending soon. With computer aided drafting (CAD) now at the forefront of 21st century architectural design, his passion for architectural drafting by hand, with a lead drafting pencil comes to a end that same year. Unemployed, he looks for work and help's his ailing father adjust to a longtime time illness. Passing by the family photos on his parents stairway wall, he is reminded of his happy childhood. Going over stories lost in time with his father, his coming of age story begins ...
Follow the protagonist in so many of his misadventures, mistakes, wins and losses, as a string of fortuitous circumstances lead a wayward son to the beginning of his career, and an adventure of a lifetime. As personal computers entered the workplace in their infancy, the renaissance of the computer age begins. With cell phone technology's taking off, Richard is in the right place at the right time in history to witness the technological revolution that changed the world ...
Back to the present year, the author comes to the conclusion that the passion to design homes with CAD programs is not in his heart, becoming one of the the last leadholders of generations before him ...His father's health takes a turn for the worse, as the family gathers together to experience there father's final wish come true ...This heart felt memoir will make you laugh, cry, and reminisce of days gone by, standing as is a tribute to teachers, mentors, business professionals and the love of family, who will always get you through the hard times, as we all continue on with our quest for fulfillment's.
Synopsis
Author Richard Deatherage unravels his fascinating life and universally relatable struggles in "The Last Leadholders: Quest for Fulfillment", an honest, timely, and thought-provoking memoir...
After a lifetime of adapting to change and finding ways to persevere, the author faces one of his biggest challenges during the 2008 recession, finding a way forward in a career that is rapidly entering the 21st century, potentially leaving him behind ...but, if you can draw from a lifetime of experiences through the diversities that shaped your character and strengths, you to can continue on with your quest for fulfillment.