Title: Big Wheels Rolling On
Author: Paul W.J. O’Brien
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1664172890
Pages: 452
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
For all of us, life is truly a journey. The interesting thing about life is that we all have such different and unique journeys, and yet there are often far more underlying similarities that could make us feel connected and heard, if we only opted to listen to one another. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.”
In author Paul W.J. O’Brien’s Big Wheels Rolling On, the author explores his own life as he takes on a life centered around transportation. From his early years taking on a love of aviation and gaining his private pilot’s license, to taking on trucking and traveling from inter-city buses to coast-to-coast transportation both in the United States and Canada, the author explores some of the humorous and dangerous events which defined his life in transpiration, and how it impacted his life, as well as those who inhabited his life and made an impact all their own.
This is a truly memorable and unique read! The author really did a great job of presenting his story and his life in such a very succinct and informative way, taking the reader step-by-step through is life and the important memories and moments that defined who he became. From his parents and the life he led from birth to adulthood in Canada, to the adventures he had in the air and on the road, and so many moments that defined his life, the author does a great job of creating imagery and balancing that with an almost historical-level attention to detail to really bring this story to life.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy biographies and memoirs, especially those who enjoy stories that involve travel, personal stories of humor and danger, overcoming adversity, and following one’s passions in life. As a fan of this genre, it was heartwarming to see the author’s pursuit of his passion for transportation, and as someone with a passion for travel, I was enthralled by the author’s unique point of view on travel from a pilot and trucker’s perspective.
A memorable, adventurous, and entertaining memoir, author Paul W.J. O’Brien’s Big Wheels Rolling On is a must-read book. The author’s unique voice and writing style make the memories he shares feel fresh and alive, and the balance of relatability and adventure made this author’s narrative shine brightly.
