Journey of a Gentle Southern Man: Reflections from the Road Paperback – January 1, 2000

We enjoy bouncing our experiences and observations of each other, entertaining and teaching and learning from each other. Perhaps more importantly, we gain value and worthwhile memories?a measure of our lives. ?Journey of a Southern Man? is Jackie Cooper?s testament to his life and journey. With a sense of humor, he tells about himself, his family and his friends, while at the same time helps us see truths about our own lives. In frankly facing his own fear of illness, aging, loss and death, and through the power of his insight, we are challenged to do the same. Each story is a delicious slice of life and reads with the fluid simplicity of a Hemingway novel. An accomplished teller of tales, Jackie?s stories charmingly blend the traditional (see chapters Gimme That Old Time Religion, Golden Rule Should Apply at Theaters and Laughing Helps People Cope) and the unconventional (see chapters Survival Tips for Snow?Lay in the Munchies, Thinner Isn?t a Curse, A Former Smoker Confesses?He Loved Every Puff) Jackie?s book has a keen sense of the passage of time and the existential irony that change is the universe?s only constant. ?Journey of a Southern Man? inspires the reader to not settle for the ordinary and helps us remember the important things in life?love, relationship and gratitude.

This book is positive without being sappy, easy to read and understand, yet profound. It's a treasure trove of insight into human behavior and defines a life well-lived.

Jackie does a great job with his first literary effort. Hiscollection of stories reinforces the timeless concept that awell-lived, gentle life has such merit and meaning. When I finished his book, I was disappointed it was over, and am now anxiously awaiting his follow-up. I think I'd like to be Jackie Cooper if I could pick being someone other than myself.