Free Downloads Echoes Of A Distant Summer
“You done lived a tough life, boy, and I know I’m part responsible for that. I ain’t askin’ you to excuse me or forgive me. Just know I did the best I knew to do. I was just tryin’ to make you tough enough to deal with the world. To stand tall among men, I knew you had to be strong and have yo’ own mind.” “You were preparing me for war, Grandfather.” Guy Johnson, the author of the critically acclaimed debut Standing at the Scratch Line, continues the Tremain family saga. Jackson St. Clair Tremain hasn’t spoken to his grandfather King in nearly twenty years. Disgusted by the violence and bloodlust that seemed to be his grandfather’s way of life, Jackson chose to distance himself from King and live a simpler life. But now King is gravely ill, and his impending death places Jackson’s life—as well as those of his family and friends—in jeopardy. Reluctantly, Jackson travels to Mexico to see King. But after a brief reconciliation, his grandfather is assassinated, and Jackson suspects that his grandmother Serena may have had a hand in it. Jackson takes control of King’s organization, and as he does, he reflects on the summers he spent in Mexico as a child and the lessons he learned there at the knee of his strong-willed, complex grandfather. In Echoes of a Distant Summer, Guy Johnson introduces us to a new hero, Jackson St. Clair Tremain, who learns that, like his grandfather, he must be willing to protect those he loves—at all costs.From the Hardcover edition.
Paperback: 688 pages
Publisher: One World/Ballantine; Reprint edition (August 30, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345478045
ISBN-13: 978-0345478047
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #93,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #23 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Short Stories & Anthologies > Short Stories #1438 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Short Stories & Anthologies > Short Stories #2078 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Family Saga
This sequel to Standing at the Scratch Line is as good as, if not better than, Standing.. It is superb!! For those who have read Standing At The Scratch Line, this novel continues with the saga of the Tremain family. This story picks up with the adult grandson, Jackson, who has been estranged from his grandfather King Tremain for several years. As King is near death, Jackson flies to Mexico to see his grandfather and leaves with a mission and desire that proves he truly is the grandson of King Tremain, whether he likes it or not.Although this is a lengthy novel, the auhtor uses every word, phrase,page, etc., to draw an in-depth, complete and wonderful picture of who Jackson is, but more importantly the Tremain legacy and past that King has left to his grandson...whether he wants it or not. Although King is assassinated very early on in the book, through well placed, smooth and poignant flashbacks to the 1950's and 1960's, the reader gets much more insight into King Tremain and his life and legacy. Finally, to sum it up "you better ask joe 'cause you sho' don't know" what you are missing if you miss out on the chance to read this wonderful novel.
Do we have to get find and send a director to Guy Johnson with a planeful of actors... someone get this to the big screen! If Tyler Perry can commercialize Madea, I am confused why we can't have these books made into a movie. Heck, I have someone willing to do it! Let's face it, the world isn't a perfect place and less than perfect personalities bring out some interesting public discourse (Black women made Madea). Not all our inspirational people are noble God fearing and pious so why should our make believe "larger than life" folk be any different. One reviewer examined the historic accuracy of the book. While being a noble observation it misses the point that Black Folk, African Americans ...and for that fact Americans and the world need to be able to tell the truth in real historic events let alone the fictional stories. Further, in bring on a sense of Black Folk place in this world, there is still much to do with dismantling the rediculous vision of the timid, unlearned, unpatriotic, lazy, morally bankrupt Black Male that American has underwritten for all these hundreds of years. How long will these perpetuate? Answer: Until Black Folk change these images and begin telling their own stories... one by one; fiction and non-fiction alike. Lord knows, currently there aren't enough Black Historians to undo the less than honest works of the legions of half-truth historians America has seen and not enough Jewish historians to care (much Black is written by our Jewish friends). These stories will, like the lies that preceded them, go a long way toward gaining a foothold on the destiny of human kind everywhere.. not just Black Folk! Our destiny is tied together and human kind will never be whole nor great until nobody is allowed to be viewed as "less than."
Guy Johnson, once again, has written another un-put-downable novel. The plot is so intricate and compelling that the reader reflexively considers the various permutations of the plot-lines as if the story is reality. I am grateful to Johnson for writing about strong, black male characters. He has reinvigorated my interest in black literature. His research is extremely thorough because he creates multilayered and textured settings. From a technical standpoint, Johnson needs to work on his dialogue. No one, especaily not in the '80s, talked with such high-handed vocabularies. His prose remains outstanding, but the characters often sound like talking dictionaries. For instance, instead of saying that a person is preachy, a Johnson character will say "He's didactic." And that's another criticism of the book --Johnson preaches constantly about how blacks should be and what they should be about. His messages -- while true -- are not subtle and, ultimately, off-putting. Dialogue and didacticism notwithstanding, Johnson has shown that he is without question his mother's son. This is a must read for black men everywhere.
AN EXCELLENT READ. I RECOMMENDED THE 2 BOOKS TO ALL MY FRINEDS.I WISH GUS JOHNSON WILL WRITE MORE WONDERFUL STORIES LIKE ECHOES OF A DISTANT SUMMER AND STANDING ON THE SCRATCH LINE.A GREAT AUTHOR JUST LIKE HIS MOTHER.
Wow! I cried like a baby at the end of this book. Who cares how long it is, you don't even realize it while you're reading it. The story of the relationship between Jackson and his grandfather, King, is so wonderful and amazing. I wish my son could have memories like that - not the violence, but the love and bonding. Again, Guy Johnson, has written an amazing novel of family love, loyalty, and drama! This is a must read, but please read Standing at the Scratch Line first! My book club decided to read this sequel and I'm so glad we did, because we had all fallen in love with King in the first book and now Jackson is there to take his place. These books would be a great mini-series or movie.
After reading "Standing at the Scratch Line" I could hardly wait to read the sequel. I had fallen in love with King Tremain and wanted to learn more about the grandson, Jackson, and the relationship between him and his grandmother, Serena. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the first one. One, it was too long and two, too much time was devoted to telling about other gansters and mob figures instead of sticking with the Tremain storyline. For me, it was not as well written as the first book. The information on the Tremains is excellent but I could have done without all the other digressions.
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