THE NUNS, A PREACHER, and A BEER JOINT: A boy’s journey through chaos, faith, and the power of hope
For anyone who’s ever felt like a stranger in their own family or out of place among their peers, this is a story of hope and survival.
In The Nuns, A Preacher, and A Beer Joint a young boy navigates the challenges of growing up in the American South during the 1950s and early 1960s while living in three very different worlds: a chaotic home in the inner city of Jacksonville, Florida, the strict halls of a Catholic school run by watchful nuns, and summers in Macon Georgia with his Primitive Baptist preacher grandfather.

Through it all, he discovered creative ways to survive—turning inward, developing powers of observation, and finding peace in the small moments.
- Witness how one boy transformed chaos into strength.
- Explore the emotional landscape of this child’s journey of survival and self-discovery.
- Experience the faith, discipline, and cultural contrasts that shaped his character.
This memoir shines a light on the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. You will laugh, cry, and reflect as you share in this young boy’s unforgettable journey with a cast of unforgettable characters. This is more than a memoir—it is an invitation to reflect on your past, and to discover hope for the future.

This book is for readers who enjoy:
- Coming-of-age memoirs set in the American South
- Inspirational true stories of overcoming family struggles
- Memoirs about faith, resilience, and survival
WHAT YOUR FELLOW READERS ARE SAYING…
5.0 out of 5 stars Faith, Hope and Working Hard Win
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2025
Format: Kindle
This is a story of a young boy’s hard-knocks life with an incongruous array of family, churches, school, towns and acquaintances in Jacksonville, Florida and the rural south in the 1950s and 1960s. You might smile. You might cringe. You might shed a tear or two. But resilience is the ultimate theme. This memoir touches your heart. It is the story of how a child negotiates poverty, and dysfunctional adults to end up contributing to his country via the military and to help others after earning his PH. D in Psychology. Hope is a recurring option.This end up being a “feel good” book. Read for your personal enjoyment and edification. Then buy a copy for a friend. This new release at holiday time will make you feel warm and happy with the resilience and choices made by this remarkable young man.
MP-S


