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Forward by retired NASA astronaut Jay Apt, PhD, veteran of four space shuttle missions.
Benjamin's Field: Rescue' has been awarded a five-star review by the literary site 'Reader's Favorite'.
Benjamin's Field follows a rural farm family over the course of sixty years from the viewpoint of the youngest member, Jeremy Kyner. Beginning with America's entry into World War I, Jeremy and his family are followed through war, peace, triumph, tragedy, heartbreak, and final happiness as the reader examines the role of family loyalty versus individual need, personal liberty and how it relates to society's demands, religious prejudice, racism, intolerance, the role of charity, and the overwhelming need for humans to forgive one another. While still in manuscript form, Benjamin's Field, Book One, Rescue, was advanced to the "Best Sellers Chart" of the peer review website YouWriteOn.com. In Book One, "Rescue," a widowed farmer suffers an unspeakable loss during World War I. Burdened with grief, he learns from his nemesis, a dogmatic Catholic priest, that his son's fiance has given birth to their crippled child. Unable to cope with the child's deformity and confounded by his illegitimate birth, the farmer is battered by those closest to him with accusations of cruelty and intolerance until he finally reveals his true feelings and the reasons underlying his apparent bigotry. Set in a historical context, Benjamin's Field is a compelling story about human dignity overcoming adversity, prejudice, and hatred. Interwoven with lighter moments, this dramatic and moving tale will take the reader on an emotional and sometimes humorous journey."
Benjamin's Field: Rescue' has been awarded a five-star review by the literary site 'Reader's Favorite'.
Benjamin's Field follows a rural farm family over the course of sixty years from the viewpoint of the youngest member, Jeremy Kyner. Beginning with America's entry into World War I, Jeremy and his family are followed through war, peace, triumph, tragedy, heartbreak, and final happiness as the reader examines the role of family loyalty versus individual need, personal liberty and how it relates to society's demands, religious prejudice, racism, intolerance, the role of charity, and the overwhelming need for humans to forgive one another. While still in manuscript form, Benjamin's Field, Book One, Rescue, was advanced to the "Best Sellers Chart" of the peer review website YouWriteOn.com. In Book One, "Rescue," a widowed farmer suffers an unspeakable loss during World War I. Burdened with grief, he learns from his nemesis, a dogmatic Catholic priest, that his son's fiance has given birth to their crippled child. Unable to cope with the child's deformity and confounded by his illegitimate birth, the farmer is battered by those closest to him with accusations of cruelty and intolerance until he finally reveals his true feelings and the reasons underlying his apparent bigotry. Set in a historical context, Benjamin's Field is a compelling story about human dignity overcoming adversity, prejudice, and hatred. Interwoven with lighter moments, this dramatic and moving tale will take the reader on an emotional and sometimes humorous journey."
243 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2015
18 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Knights
5 books4 followersJ. J. Knights is a retired FBI Special Agent, surveillance pilot and recruiter. A native of New England, he resides in southwestern Pennsylvania with his wife and honey bees. He has authored several published articles on law enforcement recruiting. Benjamin's Field is his first novel.
Visit his website at www.jamesknightsbooks.com
Visit his website at www.jamesknightsbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 5, 2016
Benjamin's Fields is a well written book that too me by surprise. Initially, I though it was going to focus more on the history of aviation and war in the early 1900's and though it did weave the historical facts into the story it delivered so much more. Relatable, imperfect characters including Benjamin, his family and friends were presented in the manner we get to know people- - - one complex layer at a time. We follow their twists of fate and losses observing real people struggling to do their best when often their emotional pain seems to much to bear. As a reader, as I turned the last page, I was left needing to order the next book in this trilogy to continue the journey with Benjamin, his daughter-in-law, Eleanor, grandson, Jeremy, the priest, Templeman and friends Sarah and Hiram.
Theirs is the story of many a family, but the telling here feels fresh, never trite and always with candor.
Theirs is the story of many a family, but the telling here feels fresh, never trite and always with candor.
September 7, 2016
It was a hard book to put down - well written and good character development. The favorite areas for me were faith and flight, but as a priest and pilot, I am biased!
As another reviewer stated: these are "imperfect persons." We however, get to see their growth and maturity in a very plain way so as to be able to insert ourselves and join in their growth.
In my library, it's a Goodread!
As another reviewer stated: these are "imperfect persons." We however, get to see their growth and maturity in a very plain way so as to be able to insert ourselves and join in their growth.
In my library, it's a Goodread!
March 15, 2018
I was lucky enough to read this book on Audible since I currently have some vision issues. And it was amazing. The story got off to a slightly slow start but then gathered momentum all the way through. And hearing it with a wonderful narration by Maria Makis made it even more enjoyable. I wish the next two were available that way, but am glad the story continues in two more volumes. Definitely recommend you check this out. The characters are well developed and interestingly presented.
November 12, 2015
Reviewed By Janelle Fila for Readers’ Favorite
Benjamin's Field: Rescue (Benjamin's Field Trilogy) (Volume 1) by J.J. Knights is a historical fiction that covers aviation history and America's fight during the World Wars. In 1918, during World War One, rural Pennsylvanian farmer Benjamin Kyner learns that his son's fiancée Eleanor has given birth to a disabled child. Disowned by her parents, Eleanor is alone and afraid. Benjamin suffers from those same emotions, but struggles with the implications of accepting a disabled grandchild. Other characters are thrown into the mix of this epic story and include Father James Templeman, who struggles to keep his tragic secret and still serve his God. Randy Bridgewater is a fighter pilot turned alcoholic as he deals with his own guilt. And Hiram Bolt, a descendant of slaves, is Benjamin's farmhand who wants to free the world from its suffering.
This story is epic. It is ambitiously written, detail oriented, and full of interesting information about this time period. Readers will learn so much about the World Wars and aviation history. Yet the reader isn't bogged down with detail but rather eased into this informational setting. Readers will also appreciate the theme of this story, how family and loyalty play against a person's individual needs. Racism, tolerance, and injustice are all ideals that readers are still aware of today, even though the backdrop of this story is almost one hundred years ago.
Benjamin's Field: Rescue (Benjamin's Field Trilogy) (Volume 1) by J.J. Knights is a historical fiction that covers aviation history and America's fight during the World Wars. In 1918, during World War One, rural Pennsylvanian farmer Benjamin Kyner learns that his son's fiancée Eleanor has given birth to a disabled child. Disowned by her parents, Eleanor is alone and afraid. Benjamin suffers from those same emotions, but struggles with the implications of accepting a disabled grandchild. Other characters are thrown into the mix of this epic story and include Father James Templeman, who struggles to keep his tragic secret and still serve his God. Randy Bridgewater is a fighter pilot turned alcoholic as he deals with his own guilt. And Hiram Bolt, a descendant of slaves, is Benjamin's farmhand who wants to free the world from its suffering.
This story is epic. It is ambitiously written, detail oriented, and full of interesting information about this time period. Readers will learn so much about the World Wars and aviation history. Yet the reader isn't bogged down with detail but rather eased into this informational setting. Readers will also appreciate the theme of this story, how family and loyalty play against a person's individual needs. Racism, tolerance, and injustice are all ideals that readers are still aware of today, even though the backdrop of this story is almost one hundred years ago.
July 22, 2018
The audible summary says it all. There is not need for me to repeat the synopsis. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to listening to more of this series. I have never read/ listened to any other books by this author, but would happily do so.
I think all aspects of this story were adeptly portrayed- from the descriptions of the war and air battles, to the difficulties and reasons Benjamin had with accepting his grandson, to the opinions of the priest and Benjamin on the Christian church versus Freemasonry. The story had me laughing, thinking, crying and rejoicing along with the characters.
The book ends at a point that is obvious there is another book to follow.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator. Maria C. Makis did well brining the characters to life, personalities and all. She read with good cadence, diction, and expression. I’ve learned the joys of listening at 1.25 times speed and this book lends itself well to this due to the slower narration pace.
There are no explicit sex scenes or excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
I think all aspects of this story were adeptly portrayed- from the descriptions of the war and air battles, to the difficulties and reasons Benjamin had with accepting his grandson, to the opinions of the priest and Benjamin on the Christian church versus Freemasonry. The story had me laughing, thinking, crying and rejoicing along with the characters.
The book ends at a point that is obvious there is another book to follow.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator. Maria C. Makis did well brining the characters to life, personalities and all. She read with good cadence, diction, and expression. I’ve learned the joys of listening at 1.25 times speed and this book lends itself well to this due to the slower narration pace.
There are no explicit sex scenes or excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
July 3, 2015
Benjamin's Field Book One: Rescue shows us Benjamin as he struggles with tragedy, faith, and family, and how he manages to go through these struggles. You really get a sense of what is going on inside his head.
Benjamin is not some sort of superhero. He's an ordinary person with out of the ordinary issues, but he manages to make his way through them with help from unexpected sources. Quite often, I found myself saying, "Yes, I would have done the same thing, for better or for worse."
Benjamin is not some sort of superhero. He's an ordinary person with out of the ordinary issues, but he manages to make his way through them with help from unexpected sources. Quite often, I found myself saying, "Yes, I would have done the same thing, for better or for worse."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews