Title: Reflections Part I
Author: Kenny Harmon
Publisher: Writers Branding LLC
ISBN: 978-1639457595
Pages: 186
Genre: Non-fiction / History
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Pacific Book Review
They say to see into our future, we must first look into our past. The future is determined by the lessons we learned from the past, which is true on both a personal and social level. History is one of the great teachers of the world. To be able to learn from the mistakes of the past and determine what our future can be is one of life’s greatest opportunities, and sometimes the best way to understand our own personal past is to see it through the lens of the historical events which we lived through.
This is the lesson and theme author Kenny Harmon brings to the table in his book Reflections Part 1. Written in response to the viral story of “Sad Paw,” the author reflects on the life of the Harmon family, tracing the history of the family into the past, and showcasing the impact that both the family had on society, and which society had on the family in turn. From the war-torn European theater of WWII to the athletes and celebrities who would take the world by storm, the author showcases how these eras helped shape the course of the family over the years.
Immediately what stuck out to me, as a reader, was the balance the author highlighted between the history of the family itself, to the worldwide history which helped define the path his family took. The author was very detailed in his writing on this topic, and had a great sense of imagery in the writing, which brought these eras to life on the pages for readers. The depth of heart which went into the book, and the attention to pop culture detail, as well as the history of the past century, really cultivated a compelling and engaging narrative.
For those who enjoy non-fiction reads, memoirs, biographies and history books, this is the perfect read. The honesty and depth the author brought to his personal family’s history, and the captivating knowledge these eras held together, make the book feel vibrant and alive on the pages. Overall, the quick pace of the book itself allows enough room for the readers to be able to come back to the book time-and-time again, as interest in the history and pop culture aspects of the book meshed with the author and his family’s personal history.
