Roy Taylor

Author

Memoir

The Road to Courage

Set in the mid-twentieth century, The Road to Courage is narrated by a young boy as he journeys with his family to new and wild territory on the Alaskan frontier, a land where life’s priority is survival rather than comfort. This memoir sketches a portrait of his complex family—courageous, committed, flawed, and yet resilient—and through a series of terrifying adventures, traces the unbreakable bond between the timid narrator and his fearless, fun-loving brother. At the heart of the story is the author’s attempt to understand their loving, well-intentioned, but boldly venturesome father as he leads his family into insanely dangerous situations.

The family’s faith remains a central thread as the preschool brothers work beside their minister father to construct a log church in Valdez without power tools. Along the way, the reader is given a rare glimpse into life in Old Valdez, a town later destroyed by the 1964 earthquake.

The Road to Courage is published by KoehlerBooks.

Awards

Praise

Praise for The Road to Courage

“If you’ve ever wondered about life in Alaska’s hinterlands, you’ve found the perfect book to satisfy your curiosity. The story, vivid and compelling, is told with a gentle voice that ranges from soothing to heartbreaking….This elegant, deeply touching memoir will give you chills. More daring than the Ingalls clan, the Taylor family will stay in your heart forever.”

—Seán Thomas Dwyer, author of A Quest for Tears: Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

Praise for The Road to Courage

“The Road to Courage abounds with a lively, unforgettable cast of hardy people living in Valdez. It remains a monument to a town that will disappear in an earthquake ten years later. Roy Taylor’s account of his family’s faith, joy, arduous work, setbacks, strengths, and skills will lift readers’ hearts. This is the most endearing memoir you will ever read.”

—Laura Kalpakian, novelist and author of Memory Into Memoir

Praise for The Road to Courage

“… a richly engaging memoir. Taylor’s ability to weave a compelling narrative with vivid imagery makes it a captivating read. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a relatable and immersive personal memoir that promises to hold your attention throughout.”

—April Pulliam, Assistant Editor, Literary Titan

Praise for The Road to Courage

“Roy Taylor’s remarkable recall of character-forming people, events in his fifth year of life, and candor about conquering fears deliver a spellbinding story of Alaska’s Territorial days. I couldn’t put it down.”

—Loren Leman, fisherman, engineer, legislator, and Alaska Lieutenant Governor

Praise for The Road to Courage

“Narrating the family’s story, Roy, the youngest boy, learns to overcome fear and survive hardships through his parents’ strength and his older brother’s courage. In our current environment of turmoil and anxiety, The Road to Courage offers readers a warm hug.”

—Jes Hart Stone, author of Turbulent Waters: A Pacific Northwest Thriller

Praise for The Road to Courage

“…my hat goes off to the author and editors of the book. The writing style is flawless… The book reminds me of A Christmas Story… If you have an appetite for adventure and clean reading, The Road to Courage… is for you. Highly recommended.”

—Bruce Arrington, Reader’s Favorite

Praise for The Road to Courage

“…an inspirational tale of hope, faith, and inner fortitude for fans of memoirs, drama, adventure, and travel. The book reads like a captivating historical novel, thanks to its fine structure and the author’s lively writing style…The narrative has an element of uncertainty, and we root for this family to fulfill their dreams until the last page.”

—Nino Lobiladze, Readers’ Favorite

Praise for The Road to Courage

“…Roy Taylor gives readers a refreshingly unique perspective of family life in the Alaskan Frontier through the eyes of a child…The Road to Courage is an authentic and inspirational memoir. It beautifully demonstrates the resilient nature of the human spirit. Highly recommended.”

—Pikasho Deka, Reader’s Favorite

Order Your Copy Today!

About

Roy Taylor

Roy Taylor’s childhood veered into unknown territory when his family moved to the Alaskan frontier before it became a state. Following two years of adventures in Old Valdez, they homesteaded on the Kenai Peninsula. Now retired from a 40-year career as a vascular surgeon, Roy has been writing his wilderness stories, some of which have been published in anthologies. He and his wife live in the Pacific Northwest and when he’s not writing, they enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, and keeping up with their grandchildren.

Blog

Tunnel to Nowhere

Tunnel to Nowhere

When I mention Valdez, people usually respond with "earthquake" or "Exxon Valdez." Both reflect well-known, unfortunate events in Valdez's past. Another story, dark, tragic, and almost forgotten, relates a dramatic attempt by the town to position itself as a railroad...

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Memories

Memories

Standing in the middle of the gravel road, I gape down Alaska Avenue at the brushy ditch where our house once stood, scratch my head, and ponder Shelley’s poem, Ozymandias: Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that...

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The Dragon

The Dragon

My first glimpse of Valdez in 1954 inspired not only awe for the surreal beauty of the valley but a boding premonition of danger. At the time, Valdez Glacier extended halfway across the valley floor and dominated the view as we dropped out of the hills on our...

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Contact

Get In Touch

info@roytaylorauthor.com

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