Reviews

Title: Brothers For Life: Hoosiers at the Crossroads

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Newman Springs

Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 21, 2025

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Print length ‏ : ‎ 142 pages

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8887639260

Best Sellers Rank: #2,843,325 in Book

Customer Reviews:

“Brothers For Life: Hoosiers at the Crossroads” by M. Franklin Parrish is an enjoyable story of two brothers, Myles and Richard Parrish, who grew up during the Great Depression. Many families suffered during this era, and theirs was no different. The two boys started working at a young age and owned their business while in high school. But that is just the beginning of their fantastic story.

I graduated HS with the author Myles Parrish, so this was a very interesting story to read about his Dad & Uncle's lives. His Uncle was my Eye Dr. in Decatur, IN!

This story personalizes the history of the twentieth century by following one family’s journey through those tumultuous times and showing their resilience in overcoming adversity, even when the odds were against them. It’s impressive that they have been able to preserve the details of their family history for future generations – something few of us think of until it’s too late.

Phenomenal! I love the way the author intertwines history with his family's history. Starting with the civil war and ending in the Cold war era, he takes you on a journey of his family. The only thing that I would change about the book would be to flesh it out with more details of his family's early history. That would have made it a much better read, but it doesn't take away from my five to five stars rating. Anyone with a loss in their family can see themselves in the parish family. The emptiness you feel after losing my loved one is enormous. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history.

This book truly captures what life was like during the Great Depression and the tenacity and sheer grit of two brothers who worked hard to rise above their circumstances. The bond between these boys continued throughout their lives and it is inspiring to read about all they did to not only better their lives, but the lives of those around them. It was impressive how they devoted all that they did to their family and their hometown. I really appreciated the author not trying to sugarcoat things and telling their stories how they truly were. I also liked that the two men who the book is about were not infallible and their stories were told, both the good and the bad. This book was enjoyable, an easy read and a great reminder of what life was like not only in Decatur, Illinois, but through out the world.

This is a very engaging and historical read. It is very well written, with actual references in time and place. Having lived in Northern Indiana, it brought back many wonderful memories. The book brings the history of Decatur, with the color and trend of the times, to the present moment. I would recommend this book, as it brought smiles and warm feelings of happier times.

Really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention throughout. Each ending of the chapters kept you wanting to know what happened in their next chapter of their lives.

A wonderful story of family life in a small town and how the generations of the family stick together and cope with personal tragedies and historical events.

Zeus Adams

The book opens with the idea that family history is never random. The author suggests that the events shaping a family may look ordinary at the time, but later they reveal a deeper meaning. The Parrish family story is not only about two brothers, but about how faith, hardship, and unseen forces shape generations.

Lesson: Our lives are connected to the sacrifices and choices of people who came before us. Nothing meaningful happens in isolation.