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The Richard Jackson Saga #14
What's Under? Down Under
The Richard Jackson Saga
Book 14: What’s Under? Down Under.
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 Fourteenth Book has Rick exploring both Australia and Space.
Danger, fame and fortune, and adventure seem to be his lot in life. A girl friend, not so much. His actions have caused a change in history as we know it. His decision to start a cattle station in Australia has far reaching consequences. Computer breakthroughs continue. The space division gets ready to journey to the moon.
This tongue-in-cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.
Book 14: What’s Under? Down Under.
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 Fourteenth Book has Rick exploring both Australia and Space.
Danger, fame and fortune, and adventure seem to be his lot in life. A girl friend, not so much. His actions have caused a change in history as we know it. His decision to start a cattle station in Australia has far reaching consequences. Computer breakthroughs continue. The space division gets ready to journey to the moon.
This tongue-in-cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.
- GenresComing Of AgeFantasy
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2021
101 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 12, 2021
I usually keep an eye on the author's blog for new books coming out. Except this time the blog wasn't updated, and it went directly to Amazon. If a friend hadn't notified me I might have missed out!
Book 14 starts out with Rick talking about personal computers, until Mr. Norman calls and tells him Interpol are after him for the murder of Haoran, which happened in the last book. Rick left his calling card arrows in the victim, and now they are after him.
Making a quick escape from the US, he heads to Hong Kong, eventually ending up in Australia. Rick not only finds himself a new home, but he decides to build the largest cattle ranch (station) in the country. Then, by accident, he finds gold, and a heck of a lot more.
That sets the tone for the rest of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this. The editing is the best I've seen yet, and the writing is tighter as Rick covers all the bases: family, business, exploration, international relations, and finally dating. Which has never been Rick's strong point, and still isn't.
On top of that is his space program. His project in China is ramping up, and they are sending up multiple rockets per week, snubbing NASA in the process.
We've long ago deviated from reality, and I think the series is better for it. This is closer to the best possible vision of life in the 60s if people kept to their morals and did things right.
Recommended. 5/5*
Book 14 starts out with Rick talking about personal computers, until Mr. Norman calls and tells him Interpol are after him for the murder of Haoran, which happened in the last book. Rick left his calling card arrows in the victim, and now they are after him.
Making a quick escape from the US, he heads to Hong Kong, eventually ending up in Australia. Rick not only finds himself a new home, but he decides to build the largest cattle ranch (station) in the country. Then, by accident, he finds gold, and a heck of a lot more.
That sets the tone for the rest of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this. The editing is the best I've seen yet, and the writing is tighter as Rick covers all the bases: family, business, exploration, international relations, and finally dating. Which has never been Rick's strong point, and still isn't.
On top of that is his space program. His project in China is ramping up, and they are sending up multiple rockets per week, snubbing NASA in the process.
We've long ago deviated from reality, and I think the series is better for it. This is closer to the best possible vision of life in the 60s if people kept to their morals and did things right.
Recommended. 5/5*
October 21, 2021
The most enjoyable “what if” series you’ll find…
Ed Nelson brings humor, real characters, plausible situations, and a wonderful view of the world of the middle 20th Century. If only things had gone the Richard Jackson way, things would certainly be much better.
I heartily encourage people to read all of Ed Nelson’s Rick Jackson series, in order. You will enjoy it, and like me, hope Ed writes faster!
Ed Nelson brings humor, real characters, plausible situations, and a wonderful view of the world of the middle 20th Century. If only things had gone the Richard Jackson way, things would certainly be much better.
I heartily encourage people to read all of Ed Nelson’s Rick Jackson series, in order. You will enjoy it, and like me, hope Ed writes faster!
October 16, 2021
Excellent
I've been enjoying this series a lot, mainly because it is just so improbable. The action is decent and the characters are good. Keep up the writing, it's enjoyable!
I've been enjoying this series a lot, mainly because it is just so improbable. The action is decent and the characters are good. Keep up the writing, it's enjoyable!
November 25, 2021
Jackson Saga
I enjoyed this saga. I've read Lady in red and it compares favourably with that story. Like me the author is a bookworm and has read and mentioned many of the books I've read. I prefer series to one offs. I read mainly fiction for enjoyment and escapism so this ticks both those boxes. These books could have done with a bit more editing for errors it it doesn't take away from the story. In all a good story well worth the time and price.
I enjoyed this saga. I've read Lady in red and it compares favourably with that story. Like me the author is a bookworm and has read and mentioned many of the books I've read. I prefer series to one offs. I read mainly fiction for enjoyment and escapism so this ticks both those boxes. These books could have done with a bit more editing for errors it it doesn't take away from the story. In all a good story well worth the time and price.
May 2, 2024
Great alternative history series
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I was wondering how they would handle several key events in 1963 I thought it was well done. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes alternative history. I'm looking forward to starting the next book.
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I was wondering how they would handle several key events in 1963 I thought it was well done. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes alternative history. I'm looking forward to starting the next book.
October 21, 2021
Good clean 'name dropping' fun!
Ridiculous/humorous rewriting of history. Overpowered main character, getting even more overpowered.
The world as some of us wished it had been! 😇
Proofreading seems to have suffered the last half or so of the book. Still a story well told!
Ridiculous/humorous rewriting of history. Overpowered main character, getting even more overpowered.
The world as some of us wished it had been! 😇
Proofreading seems to have suffered the last half or so of the book. Still a story well told!
January 2, 2022
Another great read
Sometimes I can’t get over how much I enjoy reading the Richard Jackson stories. This is a another great addition. Having been born in 1955 I can relate easily to all the events and many of the names dropped. Keep the books coming!
Sometimes I can’t get over how much I enjoy reading the Richard Jackson stories. This is a another great addition. Having been born in 1955 I can relate easily to all the events and many of the names dropped. Keep the books coming!
December 22, 2023
Lazy
This book was lazy, the author copy and pasted sections from a previous book it took me totally out of immersion. I thought somehow I was reading a book with errors but nope it was a copy and paste job with numbers edited.
This book was lazy, the author copy and pasted sections from a previous book it took me totally out of immersion. I thought somehow I was reading a book with errors but nope it was a copy and paste job with numbers edited.
October 10, 2021
Another Fine Book
Another really great read from Ed Nelson. Humor, interesting going's on. Don't miss your chance for this book. Can't wait for Book 15 .
Another really great read from Ed Nelson. Humor, interesting going's on. Don't miss your chance for this book. Can't wait for Book 15 .
October 10, 2021
Adventures in Australia
Cross Tom Swiftly and Horatio Alger and set it in late 50s early 60s. Good fun in an alternate world line but not very alternate.
Cross Tom Swiftly and Horatio Alger and set it in late 50s early 60s. Good fun in an alternate world line but not very alternate.
October 10, 2021
Enjoyable
The whole series reminds me of history the way it could have been. Sometimes you just enjoy tales told better than they were.
The whole series reminds me of history the way it could have been. Sometimes you just enjoy tales told better than they were.
October 15, 2021
Wow 14
Ok I have used that title style before. I still love the insertion of famous. Today I loved meeting Greg Norman. Still more betterer fun to read
Ok I have used that title style before. I still love the insertion of famous. Today I loved meeting Greg Norman. Still more betterer fun to read
October 19, 2021
More fun with our 1960s Hero!
Just tongue in cheek fun ! As the author quotes "It's all true, give or take a lie or two!"
Just tongue in cheek fun ! As the author quotes "It's all true, give or take a lie or two!"
February 17, 2022
I am still laughing!
Yes, indeed I am as the series is getting more serious and funny. I hope that book 15 will be out for my summer reading list. A fan!
Yes, indeed I am as the series is getting more serious and funny. I hope that book 15 will be out for my summer reading list. A fan!
August 6, 2022
Excellent Awesomeness
This alternative world without the great Cold Wars and no space race was a very interesting entertaining fast paced action packed story.
This alternative world without the great Cold Wars and no space race was a very interesting entertaining fast paced action packed story.
December 8, 2022
The Richard Jackson saga book 14
Again, another wonderful book to read in the series. It was fast paced. You could even say it had a lot of sci-fi in the end.
Again, another wonderful book to read in the series. It was fast paced. You could even say it had a lot of sci-fi in the end.
February 10, 2023
The best so far!
October 31, 2023
Getting just too far out
With the jarring typos it's getting harder to ignore the historical mistakes as well. But still fun. I'm pushing on to the next
With the jarring typos it's getting harder to ignore the historical mistakes as well. But still fun. I'm pushing on to the next
April 8, 2024
Not sure about the Australia stories
I admire the research it must take to write these stories. nice events in Dallas handled.time to make a serious movie, maybe science fiction.
I admire the research it must take to write these stories. nice events in Dallas handled.time to make a serious movie, maybe science fiction.
August 24, 2025
I can't get this series off my mind. I really wish there were other series similar to this one. If anyone knows of such, please do let me know.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews