Customer Reviews

Hero's Tribute: A Novel

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The genre of Christian literature has gone through change upon change over the years; some for the better, some for the worse. This offering by Graham Garrison more or less represents the latest wave of change and I must say that I approve of the direction that Garrison and others of his ilk are taking. From my perspective, the concept of the "flawed hero," the concept of a man or woman doing the right thing despite all of our inevitable human flaws, is a good message; a realistic message.

As has been noted in several reviews here, the plot has already been well covered by several of the effusions recorded here so I will not linger overly long on that subject. In brief, we have a local home town boy who is a hero. He was the star of stars on his high school football team, played for a major college, married the love of his life, served his country honorably receiving not only the Purple Heart, but also the Medal of Honor, came home and started an organization to help troubled and under privileged children. All who know him love him...perfect man, perfect wife and family and perfect community leader. As the book open, Michael, our hero, dies an early death by cancer. His last request is that a local reporter, Wes, give his eulogy. Wes does not know Michael and begins an odyssey of discovery....just who was this "perfect man?"

Now make no mistake. There are no deep dark disgusting secrets unveiled here that we have been subjected to in real life recently. No instances of blatant infidelity, playing games in public restrooms, no unhealthy fascination with children, and no mistresses stashed in South America...not of the usual sick stuff that screams at us via the talking heads each evening. No, this is not the story of twisted, sickening flaws, but ordinary flaws that we all possess at one level or another. But are they flaws? Is being less that perfect a bad thing? Can a man or woman lead a wonderful productive life despite the burdens laid upon us from birth; from our families, teachers, coaches, friends and community and indeed, human nature?

I felt the author captured his characters perfectly, both as individuals and as groups of people. As an example, I was extremely amused as the author's description of the group of town people meeting at the local café, something that they had done for years...these older men living and reliving their "glory days" of high school football. What small town does not contain this sort of group? To be frank, I listen to this stuff ever Saturday morning and I must admit to having been guilty of participating in the conversation myself from time to time. The author's description of the local and not so local coaches are gems. Anyone living in small town America will be able to identify many of these characters in their own community. I love this sort of thing.

The book is well written and holds a very strong message. The author's portrayal of small town life, while a bit exaggerated at times, is spot on. His profile of a man who possesses the flaws we all have, yet tries his best to always do the right thing is rather inspirational. Like another reviewer here, the only real flaw I found in the work was that it started quite strong in the first half, but then sort of fell short of expectations in the end. This is no big deal though. Keep in mind that this is the author's fist novel and if you consider his obvious skill in writing and ability to tell a good story, we can be assured that we will be hearing much more from him in the future and I for one am looking forward to it.

I am giving this one five stars rather than four simply because it was a wonderfully good first effort. I do recommend this on highly.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Michael Gavin is a hero in his hometown of Talking Creek, Georgia. He was quarterback of the high school football team and played at the University of Georgia. He was given the Medal of Honor for his distinguished service in Iraq. Parents in Talking Creek always use Michael as the epitome of a person being all they can be; in other words a hero.

However everyone is shocked when Michael learns he has cancer; the townsfolk are there for him and his family whole sadly wondering why bad things happen to good people. As he nears death, Michael asks sports reporter Wes Watkins to deliver the eulogy at his funeral. Wes is stunned as he and Michael are strangers, but agrees. He begins digging into the life of the local hero with an ulterior motive of using the story as a ticket out of town to the bigger gigs. However, Wes begins to uncover some shocking secrets in the life of the paragon revered by his town. He ponders who Michael truly was and if he tells the entire truth with what he learned what that says of him as he would push the statue of Mr. perfect off the pedestal.

Michael dies in the very beginning of the book, but readers see who he is through the filtered lens of different people especially his family, the townsfolk and the reporter as each provides their perspective. Character driven, fans will appreciate this terrific insightful look at a Hero's Tribute as to be human means to have flaws, but it takes Amazing Grace to move past them to greatness. With a final twist at the eulogy that will leave readers stunned and wanting to join in on the four song tribute, Graham Garrison provides a strong Christian tale.

Harriet Klausner

Graham Garrison did an amazing job showing God's mercy and grace in this heart felt story. Don't let the cover fool you, this is a great read for ladies too. Can't wait for the next book.

This book is every bit about a local newspaper reporter Wes Watkins, as it is about a local hero Michael Gavin. Wes Watkins is asked to do the eulogy of Michael Gavin at the request of the deceased man. They have never met. Why Wes Watkins? Why a reporter?

This is a different type of story that will have you wondering what is the purpose? It is a story about hurting, bitterness, unhappiness; yet every bit a story about forgiveness, healing, love. This story takes the characters through all the emotions I just listed and shows the reader what grace can do.

A powerful, insightful book. I never saw the ending coming. Mr. Garrison wrote an awesome first novel. I salute you!

Michael Gavin--football star, war hero and philanthropist--has died. Expectations run high in his small hometown of Talking River as to who will be the one honored to speak at his funeral. None of those expectations include an obscure local newpaper reporter, Wes Watkins. Why?

Wes Watkins and Michael Gavin never met each other, yet Michael leaves behind a written request that Wes deliver his eulogy. He also leaves Wes a list of names and one week to find out why.

The list, people from Michael's present and past, yields more information about their hometown hero than anyone expected--and that few of them wanted to know. Michael's purpose: to teach the town the difference between a legend and a man.

Wes's investigation encounters speed bumps and roadblocks right off the starting line. From his micro-managing senior editor, whose primary motivation is the revenue Wes's exclusive is sure to generate, to Talking River's high school football coach, who digs in his heels to protect the hallowed image of his childhood friend, Wes struggles against a waxing tide of resistence every step of the way. Only Michael's immediate family understand his purpose, and they lead Wes with measured steps in the right direction with enough--but not too much--information. For there's a hidden personal lesson for Wes in Michael's request, too.

Mr. Garrison selects an intriguing premise for his debut novel and follows it through with a great narrative style. I wish my first novel read as well as Hero's Tribute does--okay, I wish my fourth novel did! Delivered in a distinct and engaging voice, Mr. Garrison paces his story fluidly, filling in flashback narratives at just the right time to propel Wes's investigation--and our enlightenment--to a startling ending. We stumble into plot twists along with Wes--one of the most surprising epiphanies coming at the hand of the adorably precocious Addy, Michael's young daughter--as gradually we absorb the lesson Michael is so intent on bequeathing to Talking River.

Excellent story, solidly written and definitely worth the read.

Wes is your ordinary everyday run-of-the-mill reporter. Michael is a decorated war hero who is losing his battle with cancer. Michael finalizes his wishes and chooses Wes, a man he's never met, to deliver his eulogy. Just how would one go about doing that when they knew nothing of this person short of the newspaper articles on him. Michael made it easy though. He left Wes a list of names of people to interview to make the perfect eulogy.

Through a series of unforeseen twists and turns, debut author Graham Garrison tells a tale of a hometown hero that might be found anywhere. How are heroes glorified? Are they proud of what is said about them? What if truths are covered up in the event that the hero will no longer be the hero everyone thinks he/she is?

I read this book in just under 6 hours. I found it very hard to put down!! I will caution readers to have tissues handy as the first chapter grips your heart and never lets go...even to the very end! This is a beautiful tribute to all soldiers on the war battle field as well as those fighting the cancer battlefield. It is important to include the families of these warriors as well. If you are reading this and you are a warrior/family of a warrior, THANK YOU!

I highly recommend this read for all. I'll be taking this one to school and recommending to my students!

Many thanks to Kregel Publishing and Mr. Garrison for providing a copy for review!

This is one of the best books I have ever read.

Graham has taken a fresh approach to eulogies -- having a reporter who knows only the 'buzz' around the town hero dig into the past to present the true picture of his life. Who is a person really? No one is who he or she seems. We are each a hero or villain to different people in our lives, but no one can see all aspects of us except God. What drives us to do what we do?

This book is easy to read, the characters are designed so the reader cares about them, and the story line is provocative. But if you let this book touch your heart, it will have you looking differently at the people you meet, and yourself, for the rest of your life.

Hero's Tribute*

The book cover asks, "What makes a man a legend?" In this novel, the author proceeds to break down the legend of the late Michael Gavin and show his humanity. Told through the eyes of multiple characters, including the reporter who receives the strange assignment of giving Gavin's eulogy, the story makes a sluggish start. Immediately in the opening, the reader learns of the death of the title's hero, and may feel anticlimactic and bogged down in the details of various individual and group reactions to Gavin's passing. However, the plot picks up momentum as Michael Gavin's life unfolds through the research of Wes Watkins, one of the small town's sports reporters.

Following the list he's given, Wes takes off in search of both his news story and the assigned eulogy, determined to find out why he's the chosen speaker for Gavin's funeral. He uncovers secrets from Gavin's past and begins to learn some truths about his own life. With a few surprising twists, Hero's Tribute satisfied my hunger for a good story.

Only the most skillful authors pull off the multiple-viewpoint plot well. William Faulkner and Jodi Picoult come to mind. Garrison does it better in some places than others, especially when he's giving the back story of the various people whose lives were most deeply affected by Gavin. The mystery he injects into Michael and Watkins as his chosen eulogist kept my interest, and by the close of the book, I was not disappointed.

The genre could be considered inspirational fiction, but the book does not so much focus on Christian themes as incorporate principles generally upheld in our culture. The actions, words, and thoughts of the characters portray values and beliefs, rather than preaching them. An impatient reader may not endure, but for the one who does, Hero's Tribute is worth the persistent read.

*A free review copy was provided to this reviewer.

This book by Graham Garrison tells about someone that the complete town though of as a hero. He was the star on his high school football team, played for a major college, married the love of his life, served his country honorably receiving not only the Purple Heart, but also the Medal of Honor, came home and started an organization to help troubled and under privileged children. All who know him love him, the perfect man, with a perfect wife and family. As the book starts, Michael, our hero, dies with cancer. His last request is that a local reporter, Wes, give his eulogy. Wes does not know Michael and begins his search to see who was this "perfect man?"

This is not the story of twisted, sickening flaws, but ordinary flaws that we all possess at one level or another. There are none of us perfect, only one man ever on this earth was perfect and that was Jesus Christ. And ever the "Hero" of the day or year is just someone to look up too and sometimes we need to look at the person and not what they have done.

The book is well written and holds a very strong message. The author's portrayal of small town life, seems to be the way small town are, as for me I have never lived in town but in the county, so I have never seen the way people are that know every one. His profile of a man who possesses the flaws we all have, yet tries his best to always do the right thing is rather inspirational.

As I am not a sport's nut, really do not care for any of it, but most people do. This is the author's first novel and if you consider his obvious skill in writing and ability to tell a good story, we can be assured that we will be hearing much more from him in the future.



This book was sent to me by the author Graham Garrison through the Publisher Kregel Publishing.

Fabulous debut novel that unspools like a mystery. In this case, it's the mystery of hometown hero Michael Gavin as unveiled by local reporter Wes Watkins.

Gavin and Watkins make for a compelling pair of protagonists, and Garrison does an excellent job exploring heroism in all its facets. Attention to detail is strong, particularly as it applies to small-town Southern living and the life of a reporter.

Regardless of your political or religious persuasions, this is a thought-provoking page turner that all readers will enjoy.