Official Review: Golden Throat My Journey With Family In ...

[Standor5865]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Golden Throat My Journey With Family In Faith" by Paul Francis Bickert.]

---

3 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Paul Francis Bickert was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1945 to Kathleen LaLonde, who was just coming out of an unsuccessful marriage. So, Paul would not have his biological father in his life, but he would grow up in a family that would be full of love and instrumental, in many ways, in becoming the man he is today. His adventurous and highly active childhood meant that he suffered a lot of injuries, and he also suffered a few life-threatening illnesses, from bronchial asthma to double pneumonia, that derailed his progress. He would also be bullied by his peers and his teachers at some point. Nevertheless, he would soldier on and pick up several lessons along the way that would shape him, eventually discovering his love for broadcasting. However, Paul's journey through several ups and downs of life was just beginning.

Golden Throat: My Journey With Family In Faith by Paul Francis Bickert is a memoir that details the author's journey growing up around his family and their influence on him.

The key themes that were constantly explored, which were my favorite aspects of the book, were family, faith, and unity. Paul Francis Bickert grew up in a large Catholic family and did well to first give us a detailed history of his family from his great grandfathers, James LaLonde and Harry Dyck, to his grandchildren, and he shows us what his faith as a Catholic means to him. Readers can expect a lot of trying times and tragedies explored in this story, but the love and support of his family are well highlighted at these points. In many ways, I found this book educational, especially on the significance of the sacraments, Mary as the mother of the Church, and different saints. I also appreciated the author's honesty in bravely showing the times when his faith wavered as he grew apart from God, especially when he initially started following his dreams of becoming a broadcaster, and it was intriguing watching him find his way back while he picked up more life lessons along the way.

Paul Francis Bickert also expertly captures the popular events that happened around the time he grew up and how some of them affected him, including the Great Depression before he was born and even how society was harsh on people that had been through failed marriages. We also get to experience World War II and the constant nuclear threats between the U.S.A and the Soviet Union through the author's eyes as they had to live in fear. His third-grade class even had a drill for taking cover in bombings during the Korean War. I could imagine how it must have been for the author to experience that as a child.

One thing I disliked initially while reading the book was that the events were not narrated in chronological order, so it was a bit difficult to follow them. However, what I disliked the most was that the book was poorly edited. I found over ten errors within the first 30 pages, and this was consistent and distracting throughout the book.

Overall, Golden Throat was an inspiring and educative read. The major lesson I picked up from the author revolved around the positive mindset of coexisting peacefully and maturing together, especially when he delved into the conflicts between him and his wife due to his faith. There are many other lessons that readers can expect to pick up as well. The errors I found are the reason that I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It would have gotten the maximum rating if it was professionally edited. Readers who enjoy reading memoirs will enjoy this book.

******
Golden Throat My Journey With Family In Faith
View: on Bookshelves

[Adhithyan Biju]

Given this publisher's Golden Seal Award, Golden Throat journeys through the author's family heritage and then through his childhood on to the tumultuous 'Sixties' and forward into today. His resourcefulness working in the music industry with its celebrity associations, after he first enjoys a broadcast career as a news broadcaster and radio talk show host. He then studies to become a healthcare provider who invents a wireless antenna during the 'Technology Bubble.' Obliquely his life is led by faith into becoming a Post Vatican II ecumenical Roman Catholic.

[Kanchan Sharma]

A clear and candid review and a good story line. I would love to check it myself.

[Kennedy NC]

Looks like an interesting and intriguing review. Would definitely love to get my hands on this book. Great review.

[Becca Olsson]

This sounds like an interesting and well-written memoir. Great review!