|
Chronicling baby boomer life
Reviewed By Courtney Pellett
Forever Young Magazine, June 2008
James J. Brown knows baby boomers, and he should — he is one. A 1962 graduate of Amherst Central High School, the administrative law judge recently published his first novel Will the Laughter Stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles. The book follows Buchanan “Buck” Rawlins through the summer before his freshman year of high school until the day after graduation in the 1960s.
“My motivation about writing about a teenage boy in the 60ss was to preserve some of that history and that nostalgic time for future generations,” says Brown, now living in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Brown was heavily influenced by the historical events that took place in the early part of the decade. The music and movies are also accurate to the time. “My requirement for including the songs and the movies is that they were contemporary with the day I write about and were hits of that particular time.”
Buck and his “six pack gang” truly are boys of the decade; they pull pranks, streak, play sports, and behave like teenagers. For Brown, this was the hardest part of the writing process. “My observations of life enabled me to create a character who comes alive with the energy and vitality of youth, but is not always behaving correctly.”
Even though he’s been gone from Buffalo for some time now, Brown fondly recalls the special times he spent in this area. “I can remember some wonderful visits up to Niagara Falls and driving along the beautiful Niagara River and Lake Erie.”
Author of a bestselling law book and editor of two other law texts (www.jamesjbrown.com), Brown hopes his novel can help develop “a new kind of mantra for today’s grandparents to tell other generations of Americans: ‘That’s the way it was!’”
For more information on the novel, visit Brown’s website, www.babyboomerchronicles.com. The site also has links to order the book online.
Will the Laughter Stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles
Reviewed by Anita Finley
Boomer Times and Senior Life Magazine
The author, James J. Brown’s one page summary of his book: Baby Boomer Chronicle explains it this way: “This book is about Buchanan Michael Rawlins who narrates his life and times in high school. His friends call him ‘Buck.’ He is a ‘baby boomer’ who went to high school in the early 1960s. It was a different time in the early 1960s, in the United States. There was no world crisis with aids; no cell phones; no Internet; no VCR’s; DVD’s; DVR’s, not many of the electronic gadgets that would come later. It was a time of youthful fun; long summer vacations; lots of laughter and pranks; and such events as nude streaking, etc. It was a nostalgic time, and Buck takes you back there for some of his high school chronicles and adventures.”
Although I am a bit older than the author, I could certainly relate to many of his escapades. He was what I would’ve called a typical all-American boy, with many of the wants, desires and fallacies that young boys of any age have. I had to laugh at some of the troubles that he got into, nothing too serious, but always playing around. The main character, Buck, had high testosterone and did what most boys his age do and think about all the time…SEX. The girls contributed to his longings and that seems to be the case today, even with the danger of AIDS.
Brown’s lively description of events that took place at football games, at the beach, dances, and with his family made this very enjoyable to read. It was homey, but at the same time, brought back real memories. I found it amazing that many of the things the hero did in the book were happening to my girlfriends and me, sometimes with other activities but with much of the silliness and sadness. The times seemed carefree compared to our complex lives of today, but having our young, vibrant President Kennedy assassinated, put everything in perspective. His description of that event and the weeks afterward brought back the terrible feelings that my family, friends and I felt.
This is a book that seniors as well as baby boomers will like. It’s fun, fictional, and relaxing.
The Baby Boomer Chronicles
Reviewed By Cindy Gallagher
Chief Engineer magazine
As the editor of the Chief Engineer magazine, I do a lot of reading. I had wanted to include this book review in our annual April Book review column, and unfortunately didn’t quite make it.
This is one book that is worth reading, especially if you are a “baby boomer”. I chuckled, out-right laughed, and had quite a few good moments reminiscing about some of my own childhood antics as I began to read and soon found I couldn’t put the book down.
In true “Wonder Years” fashion, author James J. Brown has captured the whimsical, sometimes serious experiences of growing up in the 60s. His descriptive narrative of Buck and his friends encountering the teenage “rites of passage” and the sexual tension of “becoming a man” will leave you feeling as if you are there, sharing the experiences with them. The authors addition of historical data regarding the assassination of JFK, musical references, and high school memories make this book all the more personal for each of us that have lived through those times. At times I could have inserted names from my own adolescence and the story would not have lost any meaning.
Baby boomer or not, this is one book you won’t want to miss. I finished the last page wondering if our world wouldn’t be in just a little better shape if we went back to these more simpler times.
A good, quick summer read, and certainly a trip down memory lane for most, be sure to get a copy of “Will The Laughter Stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles” by James J. Brown. Visit his website at www.babyboomerchronicles.com to order your copy today.
Boomer Times Past
Reviewed By Janet Gibson Uffinger
Next Magazine, May, 2008, The Fayetteville NC Observer
“Will The Laughter Stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles,” by James J. Brown, AuthorHouse, paperback, 295 pages.
Remember the 1960s ... before life got too crazy?
If you were a teenager during that time, you’ll likely appreciate (and relate to) “Will The Laughter Stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles,” by Judge James J. Brown of Raleigh. Even though the legal eagle has written a number of law books, this is his first foray into fiction.
Set in Long Island, N.Y., Brown’s book follows the adventures of Buck Rawlins from 1961 through his high school graduation in June 1965. Buck, along with five buddies, make up the “six-pack gang,” who are always out looking for the next adventure.
There are the usual rites of passage — from high school romances to high-speed chases. Ditto for raging hormones. And lots of laughs in between.
Says Brown, “These characters’ voices could have been anyone’s in high school days, when they struggled to set boundaries.”
The author weaves in actual historical events and popular music of the time. Especially poignant is the chapter on the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and how his family and, indeed, the entire country struggled to understand the loss of a president and the end of a certain innocence.
The book is a quick, enjoyable read — a trip down Memory Lane for many who remember their “Happy Days” with smiles, and perhaps, a few tears.
To learn more about Judge James J. Brown, visit his Web sites, www.jamesjbrown.com and www.babyboomerchronicles.com. To meet the author, come to the Cumberland County Headquarters Library, at Maiden Lane and Ray Avenue, in downtown Fayetteville at 7 p.m. May 20.
Boom Bite Book Review
By Boom! Magazine
See: www.boomnc.com (April, 2008)
Will the laughter stop? Baby Boomer Chronicles by James J. Brown
Authorhouse, ISBN: 978-1-4343-3082-6
Raleigh author James J. Brown has written a delightful new book that takes us back to the “good ole days” of our youth and all the transformative events that shaped the lives and outlook of many of the Boomer generation.
The book follows the fictional experiences of a young man, Buck Rawlins growing up in Long Island, NY in the years 1961 through his high school graduation in June 1965.
It is a quick and delightful read enhanced by Mr. Brown’s ability to describe the people, places and events in such detail and with so much humor. I grew particularly fond of the way he weaved the view from his bedroom window to the Little League baseball field across the street throughout the story. The same field he and his band of friends left behind as they grew up, but Buck could always see from his room. It was an anchor for him as was his small town and Hildebrand’s Luncheonette.
The anecdotes, the language, the music, the girls, the burgeoning lust, the hot-rod cars and the pranks are all here. The book takes us all back to those simpler times in our lives before matters became too serious.
The book also relates some tragic events both personal and historical. The death of a young neighborhood boy who loved to climb and fell to his death while Buck and his gang played basketball in the schoolyard one sunny afternoon. Particularly poignant is the chapter on the day of JFK’s assassination and how his family and community struggled, along with the rest of America, through the loss and attempted to understand how it could happen.
Buck’s sexual adventures and growth into manhood are of course the perspective of a man. But the budding sexuality of his friends and the girls they meet and fall in love with are universal. Those were the days when it was all so mysterious and you weren’t really sure what to make of all those feelings and sexual desires that literally surged through your body.
But don’t take my word for it, pick up a copy and after reading it, see if you agree with me “That’s the way it was.”
James J. Brown maintains two websites, www.jamesjbrown.com and www.babyboomerchronicles.com
great read..great book..thanks for the memories
By James Broutman, March 5, 2008
after reading this easy to relate to and often touching and always funny book I found myself wanting more...as a baby boomer i found this book to be so real i almost felt as if the author was writing my life story...as a side note the last person to write a review for this book must be retarded or from siberia...
A Wonderful Rocket Ride to the Past
By Eugene R. Sullivan, December 9, 2007
Author, "Majority Rules" Forge Press
This is an important, well written, fast paced book that captures an important part of our country's history----the sixties---the age of rock & roll, peace, and laughter which was the calm before the storm of the Vietnam War that changed America.
Judge Brown cleverly uses humor and pathos to tell an everyman's tale of teenage youth in the days of President Kennedy's Camelot, as seen from the perspective of a high school student. Brown's main character, Buck, is an enduring and endearing young man.
If you lived in the 1960's, this book will pull you back into your emotions and dreams of those years. If you're not a Baby Boomer, this book is an entertaining rocket ride through a great period of American's history. I highly recommend this "feel good" book.
...and then the memories come
By Brianne Fitzgerald, November 29, 2007
Reading Boomer Chronicles is really just the beginning. The book is a gift to the reader as it stimulates the power of memory and the lives that we all lived during the mid to late 60's. The terror I felt when I felt "that thing" as we danced in the darkened gyms at the CYO dances protected me. Maybe high cholesterol breakfasts, hanging out with friends, corporal punishment and family vacations are better than cell phones, MTV and My Space. This little gem will remain in your thoughts long after you have finished the read.
The truth, the whole truth by Judge Jim
By L. D. Gibson, October 23, 2007
Editor, Triangle Business Journal
Will the laughter stop?: Baby Boomer Chronicles From the beginning of this book, you know you're in for a ride, and Judge Jim Brown delivers a satisfying one. The stories are funny, and they ring true. Judge Jim is earnest in his approach to a subject that's obviously close to his heart. It must have been a treat - not to discount the labor of writing - for him to revisit all of the wonderful, and some not so wonderful, times he has experienced as one of us - a boomer!
will the laughter evr stop? baby boomers chronicles
By Natalie Hamilton, October 15, 2007
James Brown's first novel is one all mothers of teen age sons should read. The descriptions of Buck's high school years are a better explanation than any book on male adolesence. Mr. Brown has a wonderful ability to explain Buck's emotional and physical growth through the high school years. This explanation is entwined with life, music, cars and family were like in the mid '60's. One of the closing chapters tells us about Buck's senior class spiritual message titled, "Empty Buckets." This will make all readers think about their own choices in life.
Excellent Coming of Age Story
By J. C Marrero, October 4, 2007
This is a funny, warm-hearted coming of age novel by a first time fiction writer. It will appeal particularly to those growing up Catholic in the Northeast in the early 1960s.
Fun reading
By Haggai Carmon, October 2, 2007
Author of "Triple Identity" and "The Red Syndrome" from Steer Forth Press
James Brown simply "has it." His sharp wit totally captures you. If you want to know more about the wild times of the 1960s' in Long Island New York, go directly to the source. In addition, underlying his fluid language, are many salient points helping the reader understand present day "baby boomers" culture. I strongly recommend reading this highly entertaining book regardless of your age or place of birth. It is always amusing and informative. Let's hope that Brown's laughter keeps on keeping on.
Poignant with lots of laughs!
By Win Neagle, September 26, 2007
Author of "Full Count" and "Smoke and Gravity" from The Paper Journey Press
It is a gift to the world of books that Judge James Brown has chosen to share his wit and sharp eye. He is a gifted writer and knows how to cut straight to what is deep and true in our human pursuits.
|
