HEADLONG: Growing Up Recklessly is the captivating story of Jim, a young guy growing up in the '50s, '60s, and '70s, whose creative imagination and impulses provide us with an anthology of hilarious, poignant, dangerous, and adventurous escapades. The transformative journey of this sensitive, fun-loving, likeable miscreant, who appears immune to consequences, reflects the trauma he endures at his own hand; his soulmate yet bullying brother Rob's; and his abusive, authoritarian father's, each shadowed with an ever-present nudge from fate's misadventure. Emotionally honest and totally engaging, this upbeat, character-driven, coming-of-age adventure saga poses the questions of how Jim will deal with his own motivating demons, make sense of his morality, and come to terms with his sexual/love relationships. In a backdrop of the evolving, colourful, and turbulent culture of the era, Jim's adventures-which include fast cars and motorcycles, being buried in an avalanche, driving off a cliff, being the object of police investigations, sleeping with a mafia-protected Playboy Playmate, using drugs, and getting stabbed-leave the reader questioning how he ever survived to adulthood.
'HEADLONG' is engaging, entertaining, fast-paced, and tightly written. The distinctive layers of boyhood memories are powerful, extremely funny, heart-felt, and memorable. Cinematic and psychological, the Reader is pulled into the narrative."
- Richard Taylor, Author, Dept. of English, Carleton University
"The scenes are brilliantly written, the story-telling, riveting.
- Cindy Whitman, Founder/Director, Beach Shack Writers
James D Schultz shares a collection of hair-raising anecdotes from his childhood and early adulthood peppered with pathos and pivotal moments in this pacey adventure memoir. His memoir will strike a chord with anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world.
-IndieReader Review
