Saturday, February 8, 2014

THE JAMES WOMACK STORY

What an absolute blessing to have read, Black Dad - White Dad, written by author James Womack and co-authored by Anna Allen.  James tells his story like you were sitting across from your best friend in a quaint cafe, eating pie, and sipping on cups of coffee.  He weaves a story of racism, American history, extreme poverty, alcoholism, fortitude, illiteracy, tension, paternal rejection, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and extreme risk taking all sustained by the redemptive love of Christ.

James doesn't hold back on expressing his feelings and beliefs in his writing.  As a proofreader, I did find a few grammatical and punctuation errors but his story triumphs over any writing his final editor failed to notice.  This read definitely deserves a five star review!

And now for the interview...



BLACK DAD - WHITE DAD

1.  What is the one thing, you would like people to know about you?

     I am a walking history book that provides the reader with a snapshot of an unfiltered life in another era, filled with emotions, challenges, accomplishments, courage and an insatiable desire to expand my universe and enjoy the best of what life has to offer.  I am happily married for fifty-two years to my first love.  God blessed us with four children and five grandchildren.  My life is one of dedicated service to God, family and country.  I pray daily for an increase in faith, hope, patience and charity with an infusion of wisdom and compassion.

2.  How would you describe your book to readers?

     You revealed it rather eloquently in your review:  "James tells his story as if you were sitting across from your best friend in a quaint cafe, eating pie, and sipping on cups of coffee."  My story provides an insight into the maturing life and experiences of a boy born into abject poverty, to illiterate parents, with an insatiable appetite to experience the fullness of creation with the audacity to venture into unchartered waters.  I take you on a personal tour through six decades of historical evolvement and cultural changes in America, Europe and Asia that shaped the world and gave us the freedom in which we live today.  You see the naked uncompromising truth of the world through my eyes, the good, the bad and the ugly, as I faced life with courage on a daily basis. 

3.  What is your greatest desire in life?

     I believe that God created humans in the image and likeness of Himself with a multitude of talents, dreams, and goals with a unique purpose.  I pray daily that I am able to fulfill the purpose for which I am created.  Since I do not fully know what that is, I pray daily that the Holy Spirit lead and guide me in my daily walk.  I strive to personify the adage of Saint Francis:  "Preach the gospel every day.  Use words if necessary."  I struggle to live a life filled with hope, humor, forgiveness and service to others by treating everyone the way I wish to be treated.  I have learned that holding on to hurts, unfulfilled dreams, disappointments and mistreatment is self-inflicted mutilation that drains the brain of creative energy and destroys the soul.  Forgiveness is cathartic and invigorating.

4.  What are you currently reading?

     Daily I read the "Living Faith" a Catholic publication that has a daily reflection with a structured bible reading from the Old and New Testament and a Psalm.  This structured format insures me that I will read the total bible every three years.  I also read books, materials and articles on homeopathic healing:  "Beating Alzheimer's" by Tom Warren, "Miracle Food Cures from the Bible" by Reese Dubin and "Dead Doctor's Don't Lie" by Dr. Joel Wallach.  On my bucket list are the fables and childhood stories banned from my juvenile education curriculum by the Jim Crow crafted "Separate-but-equal" education system and the classical English novels that are a part of the high school English reading curriculum.

5.  How can readers contact you or purchase your book?

     "Black Dad - White Dad" is available at:




If you prefer an autographed copy, send a check or money order for a total of $24.48 to:

Alle-Mack LLC
PO Box 36844
Indianapolis, IN  46236-0844