Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing for allowing us the opportunity to participate in the book blog tour for Neill McKee's Guns and Gods in My Genes!
Guns and Gods in My Genes
Book Summary
Neill McKee, author of the award-winning travel memoir Finding Myself in Borneo, takes the reader through 400 years and 15,000 miles of an on-the-road adventure, discovering stories of his Scots-Irish ancestors in Canada, while uncovering their attitudes towards religion and guns.
His adventure turns south and west as he follows the trail of his maternal grandfather, a Canadian preacher who married an American woman in Wisconsin, and braved the American Wild West from 1904 to 1907, finding a two-story brothel across from one of his churches and a sheriff who owned a saloon and dance hall, while carrying a gun with 20 notches, one for each man he had killed.
Much to his surprise, McKee finds his American ancestors were involved in every major conflict on North American soil: the Civil War, the American Revolution, and the French and Indian War. In the last chapters, McKee discovers and documents his Pilgrim ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower, landing at Plymouth in 1620, and their Puritan descendants who fought in the early Indian Wars of New England.
With the help of professional genealogical research, he tracks down and tells the stories of the heroes, villains, rascals, as well as, the godly and ordinary folk in his genes, discovering many facts and exposing myths. He also lets readers in on a personal struggle: whether to apply for Canadian-United States dual citizenship or remain only a Canadian.
Print Length: 352 Pages
Genre: Historical Travel Memoir
ISBN-13: 9781732945739
Guns and Gods in My Genes is available to purchase now on Amazon.com.
About the Author, Neill McKee
Neill McKee is a creative nonfiction writer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His first travel memoir, Finding Myself in Borneo, won a bronze medal in the Independent Publishers Book Awards, 2020, as well as other awards. McKee holds a Bachelor's Degree, from the University of Calgary and a Master's Degree in Communication from Florida State University. He worked internationally for 45 years, becoming an expert in the field of communication for social change. He directed and produced a number of award-winning documentary films/videos and multimedia initiatives, and has written numerous articles and books in the field of development communication. During his international career, McKee worked for Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO); Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC); UNICEF; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Academy for Educational Development and FHI 360, Washington, DC. He worked and lived in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, and Russia for a total of 18 years and traveled to over 80 countries on short-term assignments. In 2015, he settled in New Mexico, using his varied experiences, memories, and imagination in creative writing.
Find him online at:
Author’s website: www.neillmckeeauthor.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/
NBFS: www.
5 Star Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
Guns and Gods in My Genes: A 15,000 - mile North American Search Through Four Centuries, to the Mayflower is a unique book written by talented author Neill McKee. I use the word unique because it's not simply an author explaining how they delved into their heritage. This book is more than that. It's a magical journey I as a reader was pulled into and beyond that, it's the type of book with the ability to change your life. Each step of the way there is lesson you can apply to your own life. This book left me changed. McKee's ability to draw the reader into his thoughts and share intimate emotions feels intimate and incredibly personal.
This is a book you'll want to savor. I'd be lying if I said I read it quickly and it's not because it did not keep my interest. Like a delicious dessert or bottle of the finest wine, I wanted it to last as long as possible; savoring each morsel/sip/page. I read a chapter and then got lost in my own thoughts and pondered what I had read while also considering my own life for a bit. I enjoyed each chapter slowly and intentionally. When I finished Guns and Gods in My Genes, I carefully placed it on my bookshelf knowing it's the type of book you look forward to enjoying again and again. I definitely recommend this book to others, though I'm unwilling to part with my copy. Like a fine wine, I guarantee this will get better over time and I'm looking forward to reading it again.
Find more reviews:
- Future Blog Tour Dates
February 22nd @ CloudsGirls27 Reads Books
Join Melissa as she reads Neill McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://
February 24th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Come by Anthony's blog today where he interviews author Neill McKee about his memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://
February 25th @ What is That Book About
Michelle spotlights Neill McKee's book Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://www.
February 26th @ Lisa Haselton's Book Reviews & Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog today where she interviews author Neill McKee about his book Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
February 27th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda as she treats us to an interview with author Neill McKee and chats with him about his memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes. She also shares some insights about the book!
http://bootsshoesandfashion.
February 28th @ Lilly's Book Wonderland
Join Lilly as she shares her insights into Neill McKee's fascinating travel memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://www.
March 1st @ World of My Imagination
Light up your imagination when you visit Nicole's blog today! She shares her insights into Neill McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://worldofmyimagination.
March 3rd @ Joy Neal Kidney's Blog
Make sure you stop by Joy's blog today and read her review of Neill McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
March 3rd @ Memoir Memoir
Visit John's blog today and you can read his review of Nell McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
March 5th @ A Storybook World
Deirdra spotlights Neill McKee's profound memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
http://www.astorybookworld.
March 8th @ Memoir Writer's Journey
Join Kathy as she reviews Neill McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
March 11th @ The Frugalista Mom
Join Rozelyn as she reviews Neill McKee's fascinating memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes. You can also win a copy of the book too!
March 12th @ Memoir Revolution
https://memorywritersnetwork.
March 14th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Join Anthony again when he reviews Neill McKee's memorable memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
https://
March 15th @ My Writer Blog
Join Carole as she reviews Neill McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes.
March 16th @ Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire
Set your reading list on fire with Mindy McGinnis as she spotlights Neil McKee's memoir Guns and Gods in My Genes. You also have the chance to win a copy of this fascinating book!
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/
Comments
Post a Comment