Norvel

by Kenneth F. Conklin

On a September morning in 1948, a member of the U.S. Olympic team and a Howard University student was arrested for taking a seat in the white section of a segregated train in rural Virginia. The resulting court case eventually made its way to the Virginia State Supreme Court resulting in a landmark civil rights decision.
Norvel Lee spent his childhood in a rustic, segregated black community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. His father was a day laborer for the railroad while his mother expected her children to get an education and become involved in community affairs. In spite of obstacles such as Virginia’s Jim Crow laws, limited schooling opportunities, and a speech impediment, Norvel’s life journey led to exceptional accomplishments in the larger world.
After graduating from high school, he was selected for flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield. He served in a segregated unit in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterward, he enrolled at Howard University to pursue engineering and took up intramural boxing. As a pugilist he excelled, becoming the national AAU heavyweight champion. In 1952 he once again was on the U.S. Olympic team, making history at the Helsinki Games.
Norvel married Leslie Jackson of Leesburg, Virginia, graduated from Howard University, and started a family. Later he received several advanced degrees and devoted himself to a career in education. He and Leslie became prominent mentors and sponsors of young people in the greater Washington, D.C., area. He also served as a senior officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
Based on true events, NORVEL is a meticulously researched story about a remarkable man.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2020

About the author

Ken Conklin, a native of Los Angeles, lives in southwestern Virginia.

He was awarded a 2022 Kegley Preservation Award by the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation for bringing the extraordinary life of Norvel Lee to the public's attention in his debut book: NORVEL: An American Hero. NORVEL was also a Finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Book Awards. His essays have been published in the Roanoke Times and other publications such as the Victoria Advocate, Easy Reader, and Microwave Journal. A collection of his poems are published in The Zen of Ken.

Although always a writer, he made his living in the technology industry as a business development and general management executive. In those roles he had the opportunity to travel throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The experiences from those travels inform his writing.

Aside from working on his next book, Ken and his wife enjoy spending time with their family and friends, going to live music events, golfing, and hiking the beautiful trails of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Ken continues, however, to root for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ken is a member of The Authors Guild and The Poet Society of Virginia.

Reviews

[Mrs Rj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy biographies, especially those of people whose lives have not necessarily been lived in the spotlight. So I began this having never heard of Norvel Lee nor am I particularly interested in boxing. However, I can only give my highest recommendation to others to read this book. It tells the amazing life story of a man who came from humble beginnings and rose to become an Olympic hero and so much more. He was a man who kept hold of his integrity, his honour and his often in the face of racism, discrimination and hostility.

The book has a gentleness about the retelling in stark contrast to what I was expecting given it is set in the sport of boxing, but it becomes only more powerful because of that approach. There are insights into the boxing world and competitive sport without a doubt but the personal insights go far deeper.

I finished the book with a sense of indebtedness to people like Norvel Lee, who overcame so many barriers and did it with such humility and grace. The measure of a good book is the footprint it leaves on you after reading and without a doubt, this certainly does.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't even know this book was being worked on. This man, Norvel Lee, is my husband's uncle. I've always heard snippets of what a powerhouse of a man he was. Now I have great details about him and I am very moved.

He was an Olympic gold medalist in boxing, had a distinguished military career which included being a Tuskegee airman. He was also an educator, a businessman, and a family man. Each of those titles holds SO many accomplishments within it, I can't possibly list it all here.

All I can say is what a legacy this man left behind. Norvel Lee is the finest example I have read of what all people should strive to be. He did his best and always looked forward. Read this book. You will be the better for it.

[Susan Alpert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers can be grateful to author Kenneth F. Conklin for introducing them to an unsung boxing and civil rights hero Norvel Lee in this well-researched biography. Norvel Lee seemed to be a zelig of the civil rights era, by showing up everywhere from being a Tuskegee Airman, WW II veteran, Howard University student, gold medal boxing winner in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic, fighter of segregation as a passenger on a train, educator, state department good will ambassador in Senegal, emergency management director, and a guest at Nixon’s inauguration. He also had many odd jobs at the same time, including running a cab company and being a successful realtor. He’s a captivating man although sometime he comes across as a civil rights icon and not a real person. This may have to do with some informative but interchangeable dialogue among Norvel Lee and his friends and family. Still, NORVEL: AN AMERICAN HERO pulls a punch.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astounding man captured so timelessly

It is truly astounding to believe that everything captured in this novel is authentically about one great man, a man who should've been more well known before this masterpiece and deserves nothing but acclaim and recognition. Conklin so tirelessly retold Norvel Lee's life events in such a genuine way it's hard to believe he wasn't there with him during all these moments. This book reads like a remarkable work of fiction, so smooth and entrancing, it goes beyond words to express how inspirational and touching this extraordinary man's life was, and if readers don't feel pushed to rise above and make wondrous things happen in their life no matter the effort or time like Norvel did, than I challenge this book wasn't read carefully enough.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

NORVEL is an inspirational read about Norvel Lee, an Olympic gold medalist in boxing among so many other things. This man lived a full, wonderful life and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to learn about him.

He overcomes many obstacles in this story - such as his race and his speech impediment. Yet, he never seems to bat an eyelash at these things. He carries on, striving to be the best version of himself. This is certainly a man everyone should learn about and this book captures his life wonderfully.

The book was well written and it didn't seem to pile on the information in a boring way. My only complaint, if you will, was the narration at times. I felt as though it was more of an explanation of his life rather than a biographical story.

Overall, this is a great read that everyone should pick up at some point.

[Kelly McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book not knowing anything about Norvel Lee. I finished it with feelings of great respect for such an honorable man. He achieved so much it's inspiring. I think readers will relate to this humble man who excelled at everything. It's certainly poignant storytelling at its best and captures and relates what Norvel Lee was capable of achieving -- from the smallest endeavors to becoming a champion. I definitely feel this is a must read if you're someone who likes stories that tug at the heart strings. A good one for the must-read pile.

[Corrine Cassels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book blind, knowing nothing about Norvel Lee, or boxing really, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's actually an incredibly fitting read for what's going on in the country right now, to read an inspirational true story about a Black man faced with unimaginable adversity that fights (literally) through it to do amazing things. I'm a big believer that reading biographies of people like Norvel is an effective way to gain perspective on issues of the world, and life in general. Great read.

[Sandra Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norvel Lee did it all. He didn't stop at being an Olympic Gold Medal boxer. He had a lifelong pursuit of academic excellence, he worked for the government in a variety of positions and he even drove a taxi. But, perhaps the most important thing he did was be a part of a landmark civil rights ruling during the Jim Crow era. Lee should be an inspiration to us all. The book was so well researched that the readers goes away feeling like they know Lee personally. Lee should be a household name and hopefully, with this book, he will become one.

[Mark Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenneth Conklin does a great job spinning the story of Norvel Lee. The biography does more than introduce and cover the Tuskegee Airman and Olympic boxer. He paints a picture of history and how Lee changed the world. Most biographies are dull and read like school history books. Conklin's historical account of Lee is neither dull nor boring. His mastery of words will have readers eager to learn more.

[Argenis Ovalle-Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I read a historical fiction piece. And I have to say it was amazing. The flow and rhythm of the words did not leave room for static; the plot thickens with every word. From average Joe on a Segregated America, to pilot, and lastly a boxer. Highly recommend it.

[Loreli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully Written!

I’m so glad that a friend recommended this book. This was a wonderfully written and detailed book on a man that I had never heard of. What an amazing man and an amazing life!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Inspiring

Oh my goodness.

I cannot describe how inspiring this man's life was. This book was very well written and respectful and really made you feel like you were there, ever painful step of the way.

If you need something to help pick you up, read this book.

[BookTrib.com]

For all the accomplishments of Norvel Lee in his community, in the boxing ring, and on the world stage, one simple story in Kenneth F. Conklin’s NORVEL shows the true measure of the man.

You’ve heard the expression “a life well lived.” Conklin ushers readers into such a life, about a man you’ve likely never heard of but can’t help but admire.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/04/16/norve...

[Debra Foster Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel Lee, an interesting life and a good read

I'd never heard of Novel Lee but fortunate to discover this biography. Lee was an Olympian in the London Olympics after World War 2, he helped break the color line in boxing, he was a Tuskegee Air man but didn't became a pilot because of a speech impediment. A small town boy who worked hard and took advantage of all his opportunities. An inspiring life story told in an interesting narrative style.

[Flynt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about an extraordinary man. Definitely the best self-published book I've ever read.

[Virginia Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written book. Conklin's telling of the story of an unsung American hero is incredibly well done. A gem of a find.

[R. Elena Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very pleased with Conklin's adaptation of my grandfather's life and many accomplishments. When first approached by Ken about the possibility of a book, I had no idea how much more I would discover about my family's history. I always knew my grandfather was an Olympic boxer and an accomplished man who was loved by many; however, digging through some of the research and speaking with old friends uncovered so much more about this gentle giant.

I am forever grateful for Ken Conklin for not only taking an interest in telling this story, but for allowing me to be a part of the journey. Thank you to all who have read this book and appreciate Norvel Lee as an unsung hero.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK book. The writer did a tremendous job of research on a notable person from the US. If you are interested in boxers from the 1940's thru the 1960's then this book is for you. For me there was way too much detail about who fought who when. I seldom skim read but I will admit to it on this book. Norvel was an interesting, intelligent and driven person, however this book would have been better if it had a bit less boxing detail and pages.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norvel Lee was a truly incredible person and the Conklin does an incredible job getting you to feel the true spirit of Norvel. Very fascinating life but as someone who doesn't know or care much for boxing, I felt like I was getting entirely too many details about the boxing matches in comparison to the rest of his life.

[Theresa Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Man

I’d never heard of Norvel Lee until I saw this book. He was an amazing man, a soldier, an olympic athlete and educator. So patient, determined, and humble - always thinking and helping others while accomplishing so much for the greater good!

[Sabra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this bio of a little known local (Botetourt County) hero. I listened to it and didn't care for narrator's voice (boring) but the story was great. Well researched.