Review of The Reject Bench

[Rhoda Okenwa]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Reject Bench" by James H Morgan.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

In his autobiography, "The Reject Bench", James H. Morgan recounts his personal growth from being a teenager in high school to a drafted young man in the Vietnam War. The book details the challenges he faced in forming connections with his classmates after moving to a new location and how he eventually formed a tight-knit group of friends, whom he maintains relationships with throughout the book.

The Reject Bench is a six-year memoir that captures the internal struggles of adolescence and external stress of the early 1960s. It offers an honest glimpse into the past and covers a range of experiences, from playing with friends, driving the family to church, to changes in mentality and the impact of JFK's assassination on the daily life of a young man who always remained observant and curious.

The author of the book wrote about his life with a candid and open style that was relatable and heartwarming. He shared personal details and anecdotes that many people may have considered too private or embarrassing to reveal. One example he gave was when he was not selected to play on any of the Pony League teams at Upland Junior High due to his small size, but he wrote about it humorously, acknowledging that he no longer identified as a 'runt'.

I found the character of James's mother to be very likable. I was impressed by how she raised her children with strong Christian values and taught them to treat everyone with respect, regardless of their skin color. It made me think about how much more progress could be made in the fight against racism if more parents taught their children to love instead of discriminate from a young age. The only way to end racism is to teach this generation to be colorblind.

I recommend The Reject Bench to readers who enjoy reading biographies and historical accounts. The book is well-edited and free of typographical errors, earning a 5 out of 5 star rating. The use of vulgar language is infrequent and mostly found in dialogue, and while the book does include some profanity, it is not excessive and is used in the context of quoting young men's conversations.

******
The Reject Bench
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon