Richard Jackson series by Ed Nelson (#1-10,12)
Requirements: .ePUB reader, 4.5 MB
Overview: I have always wanted to be an author. I had my first rejection slip in about 1965. Wish I had saved it. For many years the only writing I did was technical in nature as pesky things like three children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren came along. My technical writing was in the field of quality in several different journals. Then a wonderful thing happened. I lost my job and was out of work for almost eight months. To keep from going crazy I wrote. I posted my stories on an online site, and lo and behold people read them and actual said nice things. Fast forward about eight years and I am retired and writing for the fun of it. A lot of what is in my stories is based on my life experiences, gasp! Give or take a lie or two that is. The one fortunate thing in my career is that I got to travel world wide and have been to the locations I write about. In my younger days hot air ballooning, sky diving, white water rafting, spelunking and other goofy stuff were on the agenda. Now days the big adventure is riding my mower around our yard. BTW I was born in the middle of an air raid in England during World War II. That is probably the most interesting thing I have ever done. Mum never forgave me. Happily married for 56 years I hope my wife doesn’t catch on to what a goof I am.
Genre: Fiction > General Fiction/Classics
1. The Beginning
Handsome young Rick is on a cross-country trip, hitchhiking from a small Ohio town to California. Along the way, there is a bank robbery, bull riding in the rodeo, a western movie, and rustlers among other events. With humor, we follow a young man’s coming of age in the late 1950s. Starting in the summer before his freshman year it follows him through his high school life where he learns golf is his game and beyond. He finds fame and fortune as an inventor and wealth in Hollywood as he searches for a girlfriend. Wealth and fame prove far easier than girls. From the excitement of summer to the dullness of high school life Rick is followed as he proves that school need not be dull.
2. School Days
Rick in the first semester of the ninth grade. Using the lessons he learned on the road, he makes a serious start on becoming an excellent student. However, he still has to navigate the pitfalls of the Homecoming Dance, Sadie Hawkins Day, and other dangerous encounters with the fair sex. His thoughts of being a football star take him nowhere; he finds that chasing a little white ball around a field can be fun, and that being a hero is not all it is cracked up to be.
3. Hollywood
Rick debuts in the movies. From being a supporting actor to winning a leading role, the young man finds out that being a star is real work. His invention of the adjustable faucet and electric hairdryer brings him money, and being in the movies brings him fame, but finding a girl who isn’t a gold digger or hanger-on proves to be more difficult. Because finding a lady takes effort…like being nice to them and actually listening while getting to know them.
4. In the Movies
Rick is now firmly in the movies. As the young man grows in his capabilities both on- and off-screen, he finds out that fame may not be all it is cracked up to be. Finding girls is no longer hard; between the boss’ daughter, an old flame, and a bad girl from Hollywood, he has his hands full. Joined by his family in California, they buy a mansion with hidden secrets. The adventure continues, ranging from a stampede to a group of bank robbers running into the Square of Death. For the young, this is a coming-of-age adventure; for those who lived it, it’s a trip down memory lane.
5. Star to Deckhand
Rick is working and living in California, but learns that starring in a new movie has its challenges. As he gains skills in his new role as an actor he discovers that he can sing…to a point. A dark and dangerous side of the family comes forth when Soviet agents kidnap his sister. The move into Jackson House has its surprises. And while the family flies to England for their holiday, Rick works his way there as a deckhand on a freighter. Cuba, Argentina, Africa, and England all have adventure in store for our maturing young protagonist.
6. Surfing Dude
While Rick continues working and living in California, he begins preparing for a surfing movie that will be filmed in Hawaii. He finds out that like the rest of the world, films do not always go as planned. From chipmunks to tigers, the entire animal kingdom has its dangers. Throw a group of crooked town officials and a flight crew with food poisoning into the mix and this young man has his hands full. While money keeps pouring in, he doesn’t seem to have much luck with pretty girls…at least not the luck a 15-year-old boy wants.
7. Third Time is a Charm
Rick is making a movie he didn’t want to do, singing a song against his will and trying to complete the tenth grade. Danger and adventure keeps coming his way, from a pedophile to the KGB. The world seems out to get him. Life is strange when the Hell’s Angels consider you one of them. The State of California can’t comprehend that self-study can be more efficient than a classroom. Flying multi-engine aircraft proves to be easy compared to getting and keeping a girlfriend.
8. Oxford University
Rick is transitioning from being a tenth grade high school student to entering Oxford University as an underclassman. Fame, adventure, and even some danger keep coming his way as he moves to Oxford, England. He is back and forth across the Atlantic as he takes his exams and prepares for the US Open. Somehow, his courtesy job as a Queen’s Messenger lands him in the Royal Air Force as a flight officer. How this ends up involving a French actress and the Mona Lisa remains to be seen.
9. Cold War
In the early 1960s the Cold War intensifies as does Rick involvement.The KGB and the East Germany Stasi start it, but Rick finishes it. Trying to capture him is one thing, kidnapping Mary is another.
10. Taking Care of Business
In the early 1960s, Rick has to start paying attention to his businesses. Starting with a challenge from an Oxford Don’s challenge and ending with a serious look at his business empire he finds that he has to be involved. If he doesn’t pay attention millions of people could starve due to the untimely death of Chairman Mao.
12. Escape From Siberia
Ricks involment with government continues at a high level. As he matures he faces the greatest challenge of his life when he is kidnapped by the KGB. Taken to the Soviet Union and put on trial he finds that he has to create his own way to safety. He creates such havoc in the government on his way out, the Chinese promise never to kidnap him.
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