by Harold Bell Wright
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Product Description
Dick Falkner’s childhood consisted of poverty and abuse from an alcoholic father. Recognizing his life for what it was, he ran away from his home, but he could not run away from all of his problems. Sixteen years later he found himself hungry of body and empty of spirit in a small Midwestern town. He was determined to make something of himself and to not be controlled by alcohol. Initially, he finds no help in this so-called Christian town. Eventually, he is taken in by George Udell, a local publisher and a kind-hearted man. George Udell gives the young man a job, and something more important: spiritual support. Through hard work and Christian morals, the man who becomes known as "that printer of Udell’s" rises above his past to a new life with God, inspiring those around him along the way.
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Average Customer Review:
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Human nature hasn't changed much since 1902 , 2005-08-16
In reading a biography of Ronald Reagan, I learned that when eleven year old Reagan finished reading this book he went to his mother and said, "I want to be like that man." Intrigued, I wanted to find out what "that man" was like. So, when I read this story I did so with an eye toward understanding Reagan and the development of his character. I was immediately struck by the similarities between Reagan and the book's hero, Dick Falkner. Both were raised in poverty, both had alcoholic fathers, both were straight shooters, and both seem to have had an abiding faith in their fellow man. I found the book's colorful language quite charming, its character development excellent, and the problems and concerns presented very true to life. As I read along I could almost sense young Reagan's character taking form. I was particularly struck by the fact that the problems of 1902 in Boyd City are in large measure today's problems---human nature seems to have changed very little over the years. My only complaint about the book is that the broad sweep evident in the early part of the story seemed to narrow in the latter pages, resulting in a somewhat quick and surprising ending based on several poorly explained coincidences. All in all, I greatly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone with a love for our 40th President or a desire to better understand him, as well as those who simply like a good story.
4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
 For another time, 2001-06-21
I found my copy of this book at a flea market ..., and I figured I couldn't go wrong [the] price [I paid]. ... I have given the book three stars simply because its Christian theme and style of writing was new to me, and as a result it did keep me occupied and involved until the end. ... The author has built the story and its resolution upon amazing coincidences after conincidences. Maybe the reader can swallow one of them, two at the most, but this is an unending chain. As this is a Christian book, possibly the reader of the era in which it was written -- the turn of the 20th Century -- would look upon the happenings as God's will, but I found it totally unbelievable. I'm glad I read the book, because it is most unusual and foreign to today's modern literature, but I don't believe I would want to read another of Wright's books. Maybe if I was living at the turn of the century with that trusting mindset, he would become a favorite author. But, today the book is just a curiosity piece.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Standard HBW Quality, 2000-11-01
Another salutary story showing how Harold Bell Wright earned the sobriquet of "Storyteller to America." I did not know but am not surprised by the previous reviewer's observation that Ronald Reagan read this work as a boy and was profoundly touched by it. There is something so American about Mr. Wright's works and this upright, exciting tale is no exception. Fleshed out characters populate a fast-paced allegory where true Christianity is venerated while those who are Christian in name only are seen to be lacking. This release was one of Mr. Wright's first -if not his actual debut novel, and it made a promise that his prolific career kept.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
 Essential to understanding Ronald Reagan, 2000-08-07
Any political junkie or political scientist who wants to understand Ronald Reagan the man and the politician must start with this book. Young Reagan read it when he was 11 years old and promptly decided that he wanted to become an evangelical Christian, informing his Mother that he wanted to be baptized. Reagan obviously identified with the protagonist of this story who like Reagan was the son of an alcoholic father who through the power of faith became a better man and works to change his community through his church. The book concludes with his marching off to Washington to assume a political career. Sound familiar? Don't miss this book!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Good Wright Book, 1999-12-26
Another story by Christian writer Harold Bell Wright set in the state of Missouri at the turn of the century. The story is set in the city of Boyd, a bustling center. A homeless man, Dick Falkner, arrives in town in search of work and food. He wants to work but has had a string of hard times hit upon him. He finds work at Udell's print shop, after many rejections by the supposed "Christian" folk of the town. He is found to be a competent worker and is honest and of strong character. He becomes involved with a church in the town, who pastor wants to create a YMCA of sorts of homeless people. This is not taken well by the other preachers nor some of the members of the church. However, the pastor does create a YMCA with the help of the young people of his church. Falkner's reputation grows and he eventually joins the church and participates in the formation of the group. It is the first church he has ever joined because he has viewed Christians as those who go to church, look holy, and then leave unchanged and impassive to the world's poor. During the course of the story he gets involved with a rich man's daughter and they have an on again - off again relationship (due to societal circumstances and her father's rejection of their friendship). This story is billed as one on Practical Christianity. Wright wrote many Christian novels that are part romance, part western, and part literature. This one was syrupy at times and I felt that the organizing of the YMCA-like organization was lost in the development of Dick Falkner's relationship with Amy Goodrich. There are also many others characters that make this story colorful and interesting. However, it was a bit like the other Wright book, The Calling of Dan Matthews, so the ideas were a bit redundant. However, the crux of the book is that being a Christian is more than going to church once a week, but following and implementing the teachings of Christ.
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