Rich Wallace

Blood Brother is a new book about the short life of Jonathan Daniels. Published in 2016 it was cataloged in the Teen section at the Gates(NY)Public Library. It tells the story of Jonathan Daniels life and his work on the 1965 voter registration campaign in Alabama. After spending just a few months in Alabama Daniels was murdered by a segregationist white irregular deputy sheriff. Though charged with murder his killer was found not guilty by an all white jury. I have known about Jonathan Daniels since he was placed on the Episcopal Church's Calendar of Saints in 1991. It is such a sad story but at the same time his life was a triumph of love or hate.

The book is full of photos, some taken by Daniels himself, which show the Civil Rights struggle and the segregationists who opposed it. I was struck by the symbols of confederate flags and nazi swastikas which are used so much today by the so called alt-right. If there is any question about the symbolism of confederate flags and monuments this book answers that.


While written for younger adults there is much that is worthwhile for those of us who are a bit older too. I find myself wondering what else Jonathan Daniels would have accomplished if his promising life had not be cut short by murder. He would be 78 this year if he had lived.… (altro)

Babe Conquers the World chronicles the groundbreaking life of Babe Didriksen Zaharias. Told in 10 'rounds', each chapter explores Babe's determination to overcome the obstacles that stood in her way, including the boys, the girls, the rules, the road, the tradition, and ultimately cancer. Authors Rich and Sandra Neil Wallace bring unique strengths and passion to telling Babe's story: Rich experience in writing children and YA sports CRF and Sandra groundbreaking reporting for ESPN.

Born in 1911, Mildred Ella "Babe" Didriksen, Babe was driven to athletic excellence in golf, basketball, and track. She stated, "All my life I've always had the urge to do things better than anybody else." And she did. Babe persevered to become an All-American, world record holder, Olympic medalist, and golf champion. However, Babe also battled poverty, loneliness, and prejudice with the same drive and determination she trained and competed. Despite her successes--Title IX wouldn't become law until 1972 and four decades after Babe's death for a professional women's basketball league to be created.… (altro)