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Coming of age stories don’t have to be all teenage angst, they can be fun-filled adventures that become more serious with age. With humor, we follow a young man’s coming of age in the late 1950s. Starting in the summer before his freshman year it follows him through high school and beyond. He finds wealth as an inventor and fame in Hollywood as he searches for a girlfriend. Wealth and fame prove far easier than girls.
The Thirteenth Book has Rick running into serious problems as he nears full adulthood.
Danger, fame, and adventure come his way as he stays close to the Chinese Imperial Family. His actions have caused a change in history as we know it. Not all actions result in good outcomes as he learns. While trying to protect the Imperial family his company continues to grow. The new research division makes a breakthrough in placing transistors on silicon chips. Then his new space division takes off.
This tongue-in-cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.

481 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2021

96 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Ed Nelson

36 books95 followers

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5 stars
303 (62%)
4 stars
135 (28%)
3 stars
36 (7%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Svenson.
Author 8 books112 followers
August 6, 2021
I tend to get excited when I see another Richard Jackson novel coming out. I read this one on Bookapy first, then again on Kindle.

Just like usual.

This book centers around China, the Empress and her children. Shortly after the start Rick takes a SEAL team into the Burmese jungle to take out a drug lord. Of course, Rick has to get more involved than he thought by flying the SEAL's return flight home on a WWII era DC3.

Besides China, we see Rick developing into a business leader. He's not there yet, but he's getting there. He decides to take a chance on himself and start up FreightEx, which his Board of Directors shot down.

He also gets a big head start on the space program he's always wanted to develop. He hires a dozen female astronauts after NASA dismissed them. I have no idea if that actually happened, but wouldn't be surprised if it did.

I did note that with everything going on there, Rick didn't spend much time with his new Bank of Guangzhou, or nearly all the embassy buildings he purchased.

As was true in previous books, there is a bit of alternative history going on here, and I have a feeling Rick will keep President Kennedy from being shot. He's already taken down Russia and deals a heavy blow to another country, so it's all in a days work.

In his personal life, it's not coming up roses. He has a fling with the Danish princess, only to find out that they stole from a pension fund and are on the run. He tries dating other women, but it never quite works out. Although getting hot chocolate delivered before bed and joining the mile high club aren't too bad.

On top of that, May-Ling, the Chinese princess seems determined to marry a Chinese national, not that Rick really cares.

I will mention that this is the best edited Rick Jackson book yet. It's not perfect, but it's an easier read. The note about assassinating Haoran probably should have been put in a footnote rather than keeping it in the story.

I also think the mix of action, business, personal and family was just about perfect. We get to see the family, and we equally get to see Jim Williamson. We also get to see his drinking friends in Oxford. It's a nice blend. All I'm waiting for now is for Rick to buy the land in Australia that he keeps talking about.

At the very end Rick picks up a new car. I hope he drives this one more than the Ferrari.

Highly recommended. 5/5*
Profile Image for RandomLibrarian.
132 reviews5 followers
September 28, 2024
This book had some serious issues overall wonderful continuation of the story as a whole, but there were some significant plot issues almost like chapters were missing. Also, this whole suspense with his love life is honestly just getting old. I wish he’d just figure it out so we could move on with the story.
Profile Image for Will  Ferrick.
90 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2021
Always a great book

This was a very nice tie in two the end of the last book. As soon as I discovered it was out I had to purchase it and read in the same day. As always looking forward to the next one.
153 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2021
Rediculous & Great tongue in cheek story

Lovely - Lively retelling of history that never happened.
Well worth the price of kindle unlimited. 👍
I could almost feel sorry for the richest man on earth missing out on romance.
Profile Image for Mike Goodman.
1,583 reviews12 followers
August 6, 2022
Awesome Series

This alternate dimension story of a young man who stops the Cold War is fantastic. I can’t even imagine what the life would be like without the hippies and the great music lost to that world be like.
411 reviews9 followers
January 10, 2024
usual great entertainment

I think the author has forgotten that the Castros fled Cuba several books ago , it is good to see the Kennedys being portrayed as the carpetbaggers they were.
538 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2021
Great as always

This series is one of my favorites. Was not kindle unlimited. Last time was fixed within a day, but couldn't wait
7 reviews
August 6, 2021
More please

Thanks again author thanks for your books 📚📚📚📚📚📚 📚📚📚📚📚📚eeeeeeeebbbbbbbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn graphic novel about whether it would make people just to cruel
398 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2021
Once I start, I can't stop!

It's true! I am a Richard Jackson fan and that included the author. Thank you Ed Nelson. Please stay safe and keep writing. A fan!
43 reviews
August 18, 2021
Better and better

This series continues to entertain. I hope the next book is in the works. The story is so entertaining that it is hard to wait for the next installment.
718 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2021
Great action!!

Good story, I enjoyed it and all the side stories. It's all major BS, but a good read. When is the next one?
7 reviews
August 31, 2021
Out Bonds Bond

Typical heroics that our billionaires fail to deliver. From outer space to the bosom of the Emperess' family. He gets it done!
312 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2021
Enjoyable.

Light alternative history series that has kept this old mans attention. I highly recommend the whole series. Think teenaged James Bond with American roots.
Profile Image for Jim Phillips.
970 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2021
Long and interesting Saga

A very interesting read. I looked up the Mercury 13. That made the whole book worthwhile. Thanks for including it.
892 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2021
Excellent story

It's full of BS, but it is exciting and over the top. I want more of these because they are easy reads.
Profile Image for Michael Wooten.
371 reviews12 followers
December 1, 2021
Still great

This series is fun. Ridiculous, but wonderful fun. Would love to visit the parallel world where Richard Jackson lives in such style
767 reviews3 followers
December 8, 2022
The Richard Jackson saga book 13

This series of books has not failed in and it’s attempt to be an entertaining and fun read. As good as any James Bond book ever written.
Profile Image for Saint Vitas.
219 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2024
A busy Rick

Rick becomes a soldier. I didn't look up regicide, but guess at it. there were several evil people in this installment. What could have happened did here.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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