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Runners
From the author of Little Hatchet, this gripping historical saga continues—a powerful story of resilience, family, and the price of ambition. Perfect for fans of epic generational tales and action-packed historical fiction.
Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, used the westward expansion of America to establish themselves as model citizens in the town of Telegraph, Texas. Now, they watch in despair as their children lurch from one crisis to another — rum running, train-hopping outlaws, shattered dreams. With one child dead and another on the wrong side of the law, Walter and Ada struggle to keep their younger children on the straight and narrow. But trouble and temptation beckon as Prohibition and the Great Depression give way to the horrors of World War II. Will hope survive the chaos?
Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, used the westward expansion of America to establish themselves as model citizens in the town of Telegraph, Texas. Now, they watch in despair as their children lurch from one crisis to another — rum running, train-hopping outlaws, shattered dreams. With one child dead and another on the wrong side of the law, Walter and Ada struggle to keep their younger children on the straight and narrow. But trouble and temptation beckon as Prohibition and the Great Depression give way to the horrors of World War II. Will hope survive the chaos?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2015
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Phil Oakley
5 books10 followersPhil Oakley is a writer, educator, filmmaker, journalist and executive. He is the author of nine novels. He began working on his first one in the spring of 1964, while a freshman at The Univer sity of Texas at Austin. That book finally reached publication fifty years later in 2014. In addition to writing, Phil currently works as a paraprofessional educator at Kennedale High School. Previously, he served as Director of the Louisiana Film Commission, was a regional executive of The Walt Disney Company, supervising coverage for ABC News in the southwestern United States and Latin America. He also was an editor/producer for The Dallas Morning News. As a journalist, Phil won national awards from Columbia University, the Radio-Television News Directors' Association and a National Headliners Award. He covered presidents and presidential campaigns, beginning with Lyndon Johnson and extending through the terms of George W. Bush. Phil was born in Austin during the last days of World War II. He lives in Arlington, Texas with his wife, the former Nancy Matens of Baton Rouge. Both are graduates of Louisiana State University. They have two sons and one granddaughter.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 11, 2025
History, hardship, and a whole lot of heartache make RUNNERS a riveting read.
RUNNERS is the second book in the Oakley series, a family saga based on author Phil Oakley’s family history. Characters within the pages parallel the names of the author’s real family members, and the narrative is based on the stories they told over the years. Books one and two span the Civil War, the Prohibition era, and World War II.
I knew I was jumping in on the second installment in the series, so I read the synopsis and some reviews of LITTLE HATCHET, book one, before getting started. It helped. From that, I gathered that Walter, a primary character from book one, grows up, and he and wife Ada (the author’s actual grandparents) and their seven children are the focus of RUNNERS.
I recommend reading this series in order, and here’s why. Even coming in with some information from the prior story, I still struggled a bit because I didn’t truly have the big picture, know the details of what each character brought to the story, or understand the relationships. Though Walter and Ada have seven children, RUNNERS really focuses on two of the sons, secondarily, two of the daughters, and many references to a deceased son. I was left wondering about the rarely mentioned other two daughters. Add to this the quantity of peripheral characters (including several characters with the same name), it is a lot to manage. A family tree or even a short bring-to-date placed at the beginning of the book would have been immensely helpful in keeping all the characters straight, and I think that would help all readers, not just those who missed book one.
Despite my confusion, RUNNERS kept me deeply immersed in this family’s stories. Case in point: at one point, I had given myself an hour to read, and when I looked up, two hours had passed! And I decided to read another hour…hour-ish. Rich descriptions and factoids (Thirty-five cents for a meal?! Monthly rent for $22.75?!) will place readers right in the middle of the stories and time period, and interestingly, the narrator jumps in throughout to tell readers how things turned out. It feels very much like author Phil Oakley is telling family tales as we sit around the kitchen table together – a reminder that this is barely a fictionalized story. It is an efficient device because we want to know more, and I’d have been happy to have the author show, rather than tell, us more.
Walt’s and Ada’s collective pain and helplessness are palpable as their children make one poor decision after another. Worse, even as the children grow into adults, they seem slow to understand the heartbreak they’ve inflicted on their parents. This passage was particularly poignant:
I bought the eBook so I’d have the final copy and am pleased it’s so cleanly edited, which seems to be the exception, not the rule, these days. The very few errors I noticed aren’t enough to distract most readers (in the unlikely event they'll be noticed at all). Oakley's writing is smooth and has a natural flow; he's clearly a natural storyteller.
At the book's conclusion, I was unsure of how many years had passed between the final chapter and the epilogue, and RUNNERS ends somewhat abruptly. However, it does end with a small ray of hope (and that’s a double entendre), and the final page after the About the Author section assures us that a third book, titled LONGHORN, is coming. I’ll definitely go back to LITTLE HATCHET and read this family’s fascinating story from the beginning so I’ll be ready.
RUNNERS is the second book in the Oakley series, a family saga based on author Phil Oakley’s family history. Characters within the pages parallel the names of the author’s real family members, and the narrative is based on the stories they told over the years. Books one and two span the Civil War, the Prohibition era, and World War II.
I knew I was jumping in on the second installment in the series, so I read the synopsis and some reviews of LITTLE HATCHET, book one, before getting started. It helped. From that, I gathered that Walter, a primary character from book one, grows up, and he and wife Ada (the author’s actual grandparents) and their seven children are the focus of RUNNERS.
I recommend reading this series in order, and here’s why. Even coming in with some information from the prior story, I still struggled a bit because I didn’t truly have the big picture, know the details of what each character brought to the story, or understand the relationships. Though Walter and Ada have seven children, RUNNERS really focuses on two of the sons, secondarily, two of the daughters, and many references to a deceased son. I was left wondering about the rarely mentioned other two daughters. Add to this the quantity of peripheral characters (including several characters with the same name), it is a lot to manage. A family tree or even a short bring-to-date placed at the beginning of the book would have been immensely helpful in keeping all the characters straight, and I think that would help all readers, not just those who missed book one.
Despite my confusion, RUNNERS kept me deeply immersed in this family’s stories. Case in point: at one point, I had given myself an hour to read, and when I looked up, two hours had passed! And I decided to read another hour…hour-ish. Rich descriptions and factoids (Thirty-five cents for a meal?! Monthly rent for $22.75?!) will place readers right in the middle of the stories and time period, and interestingly, the narrator jumps in throughout to tell readers how things turned out. It feels very much like author Phil Oakley is telling family tales as we sit around the kitchen table together – a reminder that this is barely a fictionalized story. It is an efficient device because we want to know more, and I’d have been happy to have the author show, rather than tell, us more.
“The behavior of their children was a persistent puzzle troubling Ada and Walter.”
Walt’s and Ada’s collective pain and helplessness are palpable as their children make one poor decision after another. Worse, even as the children grow into adults, they seem slow to understand the heartbreak they’ve inflicted on their parents. This passage was particularly poignant:
“Again, Ray missed the irony of what was going on around him. There were more rules in these camps than in his mother’s kitchen, and at her dining table. The work was harder than any Ray had ever done on his father’s farm, or at football practice. Most of the money Ray was earning wound up in someone else’s pocket. Half-a-dozen times since Ray had been riding on freight trains, he had been arrested, almost arrested, or beaten by men with clubs. This information didn’t take root in Ray’s mind. All he could see was that he was free and having a grand adventure.”
I bought the eBook so I’d have the final copy and am pleased it’s so cleanly edited, which seems to be the exception, not the rule, these days. The very few errors I noticed aren’t enough to distract most readers (in the unlikely event they'll be noticed at all). Oakley's writing is smooth and has a natural flow; he's clearly a natural storyteller.
At the book's conclusion, I was unsure of how many years had passed between the final chapter and the epilogue, and RUNNERS ends somewhat abruptly. However, it does end with a small ray of hope (and that’s a double entendre), and the final page after the About the Author section assures us that a third book, titled LONGHORN, is coming. I’ll definitely go back to LITTLE HATCHET and read this family’s fascinating story from the beginning so I’ll be ready.
November 5, 2015
I enjoyed this book as much as the first book. This one ended as abruptly to me as the first one did. I wonder if that means there is to be a third one??? I read both of theses books back-to-back so I was able to pick up where I left off. Had I not done so I am not sure If I would have had much of a bond with the characters. The author certainly has a wealth of family history about which to write!
April 2, 2025
This absorbing family drama continues as the nation survives the Depression, Prohibition, and World War II.
Runners is the second book in Phil Oakley’s fictional saga based on his own family history, and it is an emotional and heart-wrenching dive into not only theirs but also the nation’s past. The author gives readers truly relatable characters, putting names and faces on previously anonymous beings who survived the Depression, Prohibition, the Dust Bowl devastation of Oklahoma, and World War II. These events deeply affected his and every other family in the country during those times.
Judge Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, are undoubtedly strong people, but after the constant strain of the times and the barrage of personal family tragedies, the cracks in their armor began to show. It was quite an emotional rollercoaster reading what they experienced. Early on, I wept along with Ada when she had no idea where young Ray had gone off to, whether he was alive or dead, whether she’d ever see her youngest child ever again, all while grieving the loss of an elder son, Glenn.The book is rife with vibrant settings and vivid descriptions, and I easily imagined what it was like for Ray to ride the rails while learning it was not at all the romantic experience as pictured in films. The same can be said of Ralph’s activities on the Louisiana coast, smuggling liquor, or Jimmie’s wild child life drinking and partying in speakeasies. The stories are so visual I felt like I was seeing things firsthand alongside the characters. The author tells an absorbing tale. For being two strong pillars of their community, the Oakley’s children almost all sow a lot of wild oats or live recklessly. Some eventually learn a lesson and come out better for the experience, while others do not.
As this is the second book in the series, much of what I imagine was covered in the previous book, had I read it, would have helped me enjoy and understand this one better. I had some difficulty figuring out who many of the characters were, having to determine that from context as the story progressed. The author often mentioned names of people who hadn’t been introduced in this book at that point, and that was confusing. Sometimes, an explanation would soon follow, as in the case of Jimmie’s friend, Lewis. Still, at other times, I was left in the dark for quite some time, as in the case of figuring out how many children there were in the Oakley family, their names, genders (Jimmie), and their position in the family. Their backstories were missing from this book in the series. I also experienced a bit of confusion regarding the timeline as the author jumps around some as he picks up the story of a different sibling. Eventually, my understanding did clear up, but by that time, I was well into the family drama. I feel that for the best reading experience, the two books should be read in chronological order.I recommend RUNNERS to readers of historical fiction, family dramas and sagas, especially those who enjoy stories based on real people.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
April 9, 2025
Not having read the first book in the series, or the synopsis of this one before starting RUNNERS I mistakenly thought the entire story was going to be about Ray and his adventures riding the rails and going to California from Texas. Because of that, it was a surprise when the storyline took a turn from focusing on Ray and picked up with the other siblings in this family.
Including an introduction, briefly outlining what came before and what the reader could expect in this installment of the ongoing series, would have helped clarify all of this for any reader like me who was coming into it without prior knowledge.
(BTW. I notice that this is the older version of the book than the one I read.)
I started writing my review when the storyline was focused on Ray’s adventures, which are full of drama and interesting characters. I enjoyed following Ray on both of his journeys riding the rails from Texas to California. Obviously the first time he attempted it he didn’t make it, but he had learned a lot and the second time he’s more successful. His concern and compassion for the Okies traveling to California because of the horrible conditions during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl era that decimated so many farms is a nice part of his personality.
It was harder for me to get invested in the sections focused on the other siblings. The fact that so many of them turned to drink, even knowing that drink played such a big role in the death of the oldest boy, Glenn, seemed odd to me. The daughter, Jimmie, is presented as the one who tips the bottle more than what’s wise, which leads her to a promiscuous life. And Ralph gets involved with illegal activity that was also a result of poor choices.
Those poor choices that all the siblings make is a cause of great heartbreak for Ada and Walt, and any parent can relate to that heartbreak. I certainly did. It was because of that pain they were causing, and the fact that they knew they were inflicting this on parents who loved them so dearly, that I had a hard time liking those people. Perhaps that was the intent of the author? To simply show them in all their disgrace as a life lesson.
Think about how your actions affect your parents.
Some of the strengths of the book are the vivid descriptions, not only of the landscapes and cities that Ray sees on his travels, but also the speakeasies, sights in New York City that Maryon experiences, and the “jungles” where hobos, as they were called in that time period, gathered to share a fire and a meal. It all comes across as real.
There is plenty of drama and action in the lives of all the siblings, making this a satisfying read for those who like adventure along with their history lessons.
Including an introduction, briefly outlining what came before and what the reader could expect in this installment of the ongoing series, would have helped clarify all of this for any reader like me who was coming into it without prior knowledge.
(BTW. I notice that this is the older version of the book than the one I read.)
I started writing my review when the storyline was focused on Ray’s adventures, which are full of drama and interesting characters. I enjoyed following Ray on both of his journeys riding the rails from Texas to California. Obviously the first time he attempted it he didn’t make it, but he had learned a lot and the second time he’s more successful. His concern and compassion for the Okies traveling to California because of the horrible conditions during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl era that decimated so many farms is a nice part of his personality.
It was harder for me to get invested in the sections focused on the other siblings. The fact that so many of them turned to drink, even knowing that drink played such a big role in the death of the oldest boy, Glenn, seemed odd to me. The daughter, Jimmie, is presented as the one who tips the bottle more than what’s wise, which leads her to a promiscuous life. And Ralph gets involved with illegal activity that was also a result of poor choices.
Those poor choices that all the siblings make is a cause of great heartbreak for Ada and Walt, and any parent can relate to that heartbreak. I certainly did. It was because of that pain they were causing, and the fact that they knew they were inflicting this on parents who loved them so dearly, that I had a hard time liking those people. Perhaps that was the intent of the author? To simply show them in all their disgrace as a life lesson.
Think about how your actions affect your parents.
Some of the strengths of the book are the vivid descriptions, not only of the landscapes and cities that Ray sees on his travels, but also the speakeasies, sights in New York City that Maryon experiences, and the “jungles” where hobos, as they were called in that time period, gathered to share a fire and a meal. It all comes across as real.
There is plenty of drama and action in the lives of all the siblings, making this a satisfying read for those who like adventure along with their history lessons.
April 14, 2025
Fans of historical fiction, epic family tales, or the early history of Texas football will delight in the second installment of Phil Oakley’s The Oakley Series.
Although a sequel, Runners stands well on its own in this generational saga of the Oakley family. While Little Hatchet focused on Walter Oakley and his father James, Runners depicts the trials and tribulations of Walter and Ada’s children as they navigate Prohibition, the Depression, heartbreak, and more.
We follow Ray as he seeks out first-hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by families fleeing their Dust Bowl-ravaged farms for the promise of a better life in California. We experience Brook’s rise to Texas high school football legend status and his conflict over what path his life might take in adulthood. We widen our eyes as we race through Ralph’s exploits with rumrunning. Additionally, we discover the difficulties women faced at the time as Jimmie and Maryon fight for recognition and the freedom to make their own paths.
I found myself most connecting to the tales of the Oakley siblings through my lens as a mother and a sibling. It continues to astound me how the same recipe can produce such different results. The heart of this tale is the love the Walter and Ada have for their children as they struggle to provide the direction each needs to thrive. As a mother to two wildly different young women, I could most definitely relate. I was astounded at the strength and vehemence of Ada’s response to Ray’s first runaway adventure. That was some serious tough love!
Another theme of the novel is a question I’ve pondered myself in recent days as different generations clash with each other over societal norms. In his struggle to understand himself and his direction in life Ray muses, “Why had life been so simple for Walter, and why had living become so impossibly complex now . . .” What an important question to consider. Why do we struggle so endlessly as humans to allow for growth and change? Why do people sometimes cling so tightly to their own understand that they cannot make room for the freedom of others?
This absorbing tale will pull you on adventures all across Texas in the early twentieth century as the Oakley siblings venture out into the world. I did notice a couple of missing quotation marks that gave me a second’s pause, but overall, the story is engaging and well written. I look forward to picking up with the Oakley family in the next installment.
Although a sequel, Runners stands well on its own in this generational saga of the Oakley family. While Little Hatchet focused on Walter Oakley and his father James, Runners depicts the trials and tribulations of Walter and Ada’s children as they navigate Prohibition, the Depression, heartbreak, and more.
We follow Ray as he seeks out first-hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by families fleeing their Dust Bowl-ravaged farms for the promise of a better life in California. We experience Brook’s rise to Texas high school football legend status and his conflict over what path his life might take in adulthood. We widen our eyes as we race through Ralph’s exploits with rumrunning. Additionally, we discover the difficulties women faced at the time as Jimmie and Maryon fight for recognition and the freedom to make their own paths.
I found myself most connecting to the tales of the Oakley siblings through my lens as a mother and a sibling. It continues to astound me how the same recipe can produce such different results. The heart of this tale is the love the Walter and Ada have for their children as they struggle to provide the direction each needs to thrive. As a mother to two wildly different young women, I could most definitely relate. I was astounded at the strength and vehemence of Ada’s response to Ray’s first runaway adventure. That was some serious tough love!
Another theme of the novel is a question I’ve pondered myself in recent days as different generations clash with each other over societal norms. In his struggle to understand himself and his direction in life Ray muses, “Why had life been so simple for Walter, and why had living become so impossibly complex now . . .” What an important question to consider. Why do we struggle so endlessly as humans to allow for growth and change? Why do people sometimes cling so tightly to their own understand that they cannot make room for the freedom of others?
This absorbing tale will pull you on adventures all across Texas in the early twentieth century as the Oakley siblings venture out into the world. I did notice a couple of missing quotation marks that gave me a second’s pause, but overall, the story is engaging and well written. I look forward to picking up with the Oakley family in the next installment.
April 24, 2025
Phil Oakley’s Runners is a story imbued with a sense of nostalgia for a time when life was slower and the world was a smaller, friendlier place—for some. The tale of the Oakley family in Telegraph, Texas, during the 1930s focuses on four of the eight children and the choices they make early in their lives.
The book portrays the Oakley children in uncomplimentary ways, with a judgmental tone. Even the “good” son causes his parents grief and anxiety, and the children who admittedly make a mess of their lives are deemed selfish and capricious.
The disapproving tone is set by the Oakley parents, whose feelings and social standing are elevated over the children’s desires and even needs. It seems that the less the children met their expectations, the unhappier and more displeased the parents became.
Historically, the Oakleys’ parenting style aligns with the times—the goal being to bring honor and respect to the family name. Using shame as a motivator and deterrent, with little to no communication about feelings, was prevalent.
Given that the author shares a last name with the family—and after a bit of Googling, I discovered that the series is “loosely based on the author’s kin”—that tracks for me, especially since many of the scenes brought to mind times when I would sit around a large table, listening to my grandparents, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins. We all hung on every word as they relived their childhood adventures. Reading Runners felt much the same.
I was particularly fascinated to get a glimpse of Depression-era Texas, thanks to Ray’s observations from freight-hopping:
“Not every farm was abandoned. Perhaps one in three showed signs of life—animals in the barnyard, wash on the line turning red from the blowing dust, small vegetable plots.”
Oakley paints a bleak picture, and I easily visualized the familiar places around Texas during that era.
When I reached the end of the book, I was happy to remember that Runners is book two of a series, because it ended abruptly. I look forward to learning what happened to the family during the 1940s, which is where I hope Oakley takes us next.
The book portrays the Oakley children in uncomplimentary ways, with a judgmental tone. Even the “good” son causes his parents grief and anxiety, and the children who admittedly make a mess of their lives are deemed selfish and capricious.
The disapproving tone is set by the Oakley parents, whose feelings and social standing are elevated over the children’s desires and even needs. It seems that the less the children met their expectations, the unhappier and more displeased the parents became.
Historically, the Oakleys’ parenting style aligns with the times—the goal being to bring honor and respect to the family name. Using shame as a motivator and deterrent, with little to no communication about feelings, was prevalent.
Given that the author shares a last name with the family—and after a bit of Googling, I discovered that the series is “loosely based on the author’s kin”—that tracks for me, especially since many of the scenes brought to mind times when I would sit around a large table, listening to my grandparents, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins. We all hung on every word as they relived their childhood adventures. Reading Runners felt much the same.
I was particularly fascinated to get a glimpse of Depression-era Texas, thanks to Ray’s observations from freight-hopping:
“Not every farm was abandoned. Perhaps one in three showed signs of life—animals in the barnyard, wash on the line turning red from the blowing dust, small vegetable plots.”
Oakley paints a bleak picture, and I easily visualized the familiar places around Texas during that era.
When I reached the end of the book, I was happy to remember that Runners is book two of a series, because it ended abruptly. I look forward to learning what happened to the family during the 1940s, which is where I hope Oakley takes us next.
April 14, 2025
Take a peek into the life of one man's family during the depression. Life wasn't much easier back then, but it was a different world than what we see today.
I have not read the first book, Little Hatchet, but I didn't feel too lost while reading this novel. Walter and Ada have seven children, and different sections of the book focus on five of those children. The oldest, Glenn, is mentioned as having already passed away, and the youngest sibling is only mentioned in passing. The story starts off with Ray hopping freight trains to get to California. He doesn't make it the first few times since his parents manage to spread the word to the towns along the line to send him back. Ray is around 17, so that might not be a bad idea, and I couldn't imagine anyone that young doing what he did. It was not without incident, but perhaps that was what this was about, adventure.
Other sections focused on Jimmie, Maryon, Brooks, and Ralph. These siblings could be hellraisers, and a few of them turned to alcohol to solve their problems, whether drinking it or bringing it in illegally since it was Prohibition. All the siblings were smart, but did not use their talents except for Brooks. While we peek into each of their lives, I wondered what happened next. I hope that all of these questions are answered in the next book.
Since this book is set during the Depression and World War II, the author described the times quite well. It felt authentic to the time period. I also like reading about Austin when it was not the bustling metropolis it is now.
I would probably recommend starting with the first book before diving into this one. It represents many families during this time. We give the book 4 paws up.
I have not read the first book, Little Hatchet, but I didn't feel too lost while reading this novel. Walter and Ada have seven children, and different sections of the book focus on five of those children. The oldest, Glenn, is mentioned as having already passed away, and the youngest sibling is only mentioned in passing. The story starts off with Ray hopping freight trains to get to California. He doesn't make it the first few times since his parents manage to spread the word to the towns along the line to send him back. Ray is around 17, so that might not be a bad idea, and I couldn't imagine anyone that young doing what he did. It was not without incident, but perhaps that was what this was about, adventure.
Other sections focused on Jimmie, Maryon, Brooks, and Ralph. These siblings could be hellraisers, and a few of them turned to alcohol to solve their problems, whether drinking it or bringing it in illegally since it was Prohibition. All the siblings were smart, but did not use their talents except for Brooks. While we peek into each of their lives, I wondered what happened next. I hope that all of these questions are answered in the next book.
Since this book is set during the Depression and World War II, the author described the times quite well. It felt authentic to the time period. I also like reading about Austin when it was not the bustling metropolis it is now.
I would probably recommend starting with the first book before diving into this one. It represents many families during this time. We give the book 4 paws up.
April 12, 2025
‘RUNNERS,’ the second installment in Phil Oakley’s fictional saga inspired by his family’s history. Readers will discover a profoundly moving exploration of personal and national struggles during challenging times. Mr. Oakley skillfully brings to life relatable characters who navigate the hardships of the Depression, Prohibition, the Dust Bowl, and World War II. It illustrates how these events shaped society and families across America.
Judge Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, embody strength and determination. Readers will feel a part of the emotional journey as they experience Oakley’s vulnerabilities and their family’s tragedies. The narrative, framed with vivid descriptions, immerses readers in the characters’ experiences, such as Ray’s harsh reality of riding the rails, Ralph’s adventures in smuggling on the Louisiana coast, and Jimmie’s escapades in the speakeasies. Experiencing ‘RUNNERS’ is like a front-row seat around the campfire while the family’s secrets are shared with younger generations to ensure they learn life lessons to thrive and memories to pass to their children.
The story is a continuation of a series. Some background knowledge from the first book would enhance the journey, even though ‘RUNNERS’ stands on its own with rich storytelling and relatable characters. Phil Oakley weaves a compelling family drama with historical context, making it a recommended read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas. Overall, it’s a poignant and engaging tale that resonates on many levels with believable action and adventure, making the history lesson enjoyable.
Judge Walter Oakley and his wife, Ada, embody strength and determination. Readers will feel a part of the emotional journey as they experience Oakley’s vulnerabilities and their family’s tragedies. The narrative, framed with vivid descriptions, immerses readers in the characters’ experiences, such as Ray’s harsh reality of riding the rails, Ralph’s adventures in smuggling on the Louisiana coast, and Jimmie’s escapades in the speakeasies. Experiencing ‘RUNNERS’ is like a front-row seat around the campfire while the family’s secrets are shared with younger generations to ensure they learn life lessons to thrive and memories to pass to their children.
The story is a continuation of a series. Some background knowledge from the first book would enhance the journey, even though ‘RUNNERS’ stands on its own with rich storytelling and relatable characters. Phil Oakley weaves a compelling family drama with historical context, making it a recommended read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas. Overall, it’s a poignant and engaging tale that resonates on many levels with believable action and adventure, making the history lesson enjoyable.
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