Three men with ties to Forsyth County have recently published nonfiction books.
Subject matter in the books runs the gamut, but each covers a specific corner of history.
One author, who now lives in New York City, penned the story of “Crazy Joe” Gallo, a gangster involved in the 1960s’ New York crime scene.
Another man, who currently lives in Forsyth County, took an interest in World War II, which inspired him to interview hundreds of veterans to source his book.
The pastor at First Redeemer Church also looked to history’s pages for a rendition of the New King James Bible. It offers stories on the Good Book’s influence in America’s past.
“The American Patriot’s Bible” by Richard Lee
Thomas Nelson Publishers; available at most major bookstores; www.americanpatriotsbible.com
In the book, Lee said he addresses a central question: “Is America a Biblical nation?”
The text looks at more than 300 accounts of various ways historical figures and those seen as heroes were influenced by the Bible.
“Throughout our founding documents and the lives of our presidents these past several hundred years, the Bible was used as a source, not only of reference, but of personal strength,” Lee said.
In his studies over the years, Lee said he has garnered much curiosity about this nation’s history.
“I’ve always wondered what things I heard about the Bible in American history are true and not true,” Lee said. “We gathered together all of the pertinent facts concerning the Bible.”
“Inherited Freedom” by Tim Drake
Authorhouse Publishing; available through the Web site, www.inheritedfreedom.com
Drake writes about the experiences of World War II veterans. He said he takes aim at “how their sacrifice translates to the privileges we enjoy today as a country and what our responsibilities are for being able to keep that freedom.”
Having five family members who served during World War II helped spark Drake’s interest in the subject matter.
Following the death of his grandfather, who served in the war, Drake said he “got the enthusiasm to chronicle their story, but also leave my children with an explanation of where their freedom came from.”
After much footwork, including going to veteran reunions over a research period of five years, Drake said he was encouraged to “put pen to paper.”
“I wanted to strike a common thread with other families in our country who have had people serve in the war,” he said.
“The Mad Ones” by Tom Folsom
Weinstein Books; available at most major bookstores; www.tomfolsom.com
Folsom, a 1992 Forsyth Central graduate, has lived in New York City for some time, immersing himself in the area’s rich history. Much of the history he’s interested in involves the lives of gangsters.
Folsom’s second book about the New York crime scene chronicles the story of “Crazy Joe” Gallo. The story caught the attention of the Weinstein Company, which bought the rights to the book for a potential film.
The author described the book as “a fascinating look into how America treats gangsters.”
“The whole tale is almost too unbelievable to be true,” Folsom said. “You couldn’t make this stuff up.
“It’s interesting not just in terms of a gangster tale, but it’s a look at an era as well.”
The more he studied Gallo’s life, Folsom said, the more inspired he became to write the book.
“I really wanted to make this character come to life,” he said. “It was a thrill to write.”
Subject matter in the books runs the gamut, but each covers a specific corner of history.
One author, who now lives in New York City, penned the story of “Crazy Joe” Gallo, a gangster involved in the 1960s’ New York crime scene.
Another man, who currently lives in Forsyth County, took an interest in World War II, which inspired him to interview hundreds of veterans to source his book.
The pastor at First Redeemer Church also looked to history’s pages for a rendition of the New King James Bible. It offers stories on the Good Book’s influence in America’s past.
“The American Patriot’s Bible” by Richard Lee
Thomas Nelson Publishers; available at most major bookstores; www.americanpatriotsbible.com
In the book, Lee said he addresses a central question: “Is America a Biblical nation?”
The text looks at more than 300 accounts of various ways historical figures and those seen as heroes were influenced by the Bible.
“Throughout our founding documents and the lives of our presidents these past several hundred years, the Bible was used as a source, not only of reference, but of personal strength,” Lee said.
In his studies over the years, Lee said he has garnered much curiosity about this nation’s history.
“I’ve always wondered what things I heard about the Bible in American history are true and not true,” Lee said. “We gathered together all of the pertinent facts concerning the Bible.”
“Inherited Freedom” by Tim Drake
Authorhouse Publishing; available through the Web site, www.inheritedfreedom.com
Drake writes about the experiences of World War II veterans. He said he takes aim at “how their sacrifice translates to the privileges we enjoy today as a country and what our responsibilities are for being able to keep that freedom.”
Having five family members who served during World War II helped spark Drake’s interest in the subject matter.
Following the death of his grandfather, who served in the war, Drake said he “got the enthusiasm to chronicle their story, but also leave my children with an explanation of where their freedom came from.”
After much footwork, including going to veteran reunions over a research period of five years, Drake said he was encouraged to “put pen to paper.”
“I wanted to strike a common thread with other families in our country who have had people serve in the war,” he said.
“The Mad Ones” by Tom Folsom
Weinstein Books; available at most major bookstores; www.tomfolsom.com
Folsom, a 1992 Forsyth Central graduate, has lived in New York City for some time, immersing himself in the area’s rich history. Much of the history he’s interested in involves the lives of gangsters.
Folsom’s second book about the New York crime scene chronicles the story of “Crazy Joe” Gallo. The story caught the attention of the Weinstein Company, which bought the rights to the book for a potential film.
The author described the book as “a fascinating look into how America treats gangsters.”
“The whole tale is almost too unbelievable to be true,” Folsom said. “You couldn’t make this stuff up.
“It’s interesting not just in terms of a gangster tale, but it’s a look at an era as well.”
The more he studied Gallo’s life, Folsom said, the more inspired he became to write the book.
“I really wanted to make this character come to life,” he said. “It was a thrill to write.”