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The Richard Jackson Saga #16
First Steps
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, he goes 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 Sixteenth Book has Rick continuing to explore the moon and outer space.
Danger, fame and fortune, and adventure seem to be his lot in life. He and his wife are expecting their first child. His continues to effect the world around him in economic, military, and even religious matters. Gravity control opens the moon and the rest of the solar system. It is found that man has had visitors in the past.
This tongue-in-cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.
The Sixteenth Book has Rick continuing to explore the moon and outer space.
Danger, fame and fortune, and adventure seem to be his lot in life. He and his wife are expecting their first child. His continues to effect the world around him in economic, military, and even religious matters. Gravity control opens the moon and the rest of the solar system. It is found that man has had visitors in the past.
This tongue-in-cheek saga is all true, give or take a lie or two.
- GenresFantasyComing Of Age
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2022
140 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 18, 2022
We made it to the end, and what a ride it was.
Instead of recapping the plot, I'd like to think back over the series. Book 1 was rough with terrible editing, but pure in its desire to deliver a fun story. Over the years and multiple books we learned how badly Rick hates the Russians, how he's not a great singer but a good actor, why he likes shooting arrows (although he's not great and cleaning up his messes afterwards), his terrible dating life, meeting with multiple heads of state, traveling the ocean on a freighter, how the Liberians can't get their act together, and much, much more.
It's been a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to what Ed comes up with next.
As for book 16, the editing is better but still not great. I didn't care one bit. I no longer cared that Rick was a king, as the story was more important than that. It was a great ride while it lasted and truly great send off, but now it's time to do something different.
5/5* for book 16, and 5/5* for the series.
Instead of recapping the plot, I'd like to think back over the series. Book 1 was rough with terrible editing, but pure in its desire to deliver a fun story. Over the years and multiple books we learned how badly Rick hates the Russians, how he's not a great singer but a good actor, why he likes shooting arrows (although he's not great and cleaning up his messes afterwards), his terrible dating life, meeting with multiple heads of state, traveling the ocean on a freighter, how the Liberians can't get their act together, and much, much more.
It's been a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to what Ed comes up with next.
As for book 16, the editing is better but still not great. I didn't care one bit. I no longer cared that Rick was a king, as the story was more important than that. It was a great ride while it lasted and truly great send off, but now it's time to do something different.
5/5* for book 16, and 5/5* for the series.
January 28, 2023
Consistent and enjoyable
Nelson's saga is mostly light and frequently hilarious; it's also long, and full of events rising from a hitchhiker-adventurer to world-shaking titan, and getting there by age 21 is objectively implausible. There's an element of predictability to Horatio Alger rising from apparently humble beginnings to the greatest heights.
If the above bothers you, don't read the series, or just stop when you stop enjoying it. It's fun and funny and he's part of a pretty wonderful and loving family who support him (and the other way 'round), and his adventures are a treat, all of them. I've had a good time watching over his shoulder, and the cultural and literary references are great in-jokes. I'll be following him and reading his future work, as long as it's this good/enjoyable.
Nelson's saga is mostly light and frequently hilarious; it's also long, and full of events rising from a hitchhiker-adventurer to world-shaking titan, and getting there by age 21 is objectively implausible. There's an element of predictability to Horatio Alger rising from apparently humble beginnings to the greatest heights.
If the above bothers you, don't read the series, or just stop when you stop enjoying it. It's fun and funny and he's part of a pretty wonderful and loving family who support him (and the other way 'round), and his adventures are a treat, all of them. I've had a good time watching over his shoulder, and the cultural and literary references are great in-jokes. I'll be following him and reading his future work, as long as it's this good/enjoyable.
November 19, 2022
The end
15 maybe 16 books the MC gains power all the way to the world stage and you end this book with a line about giving it all up. Your character didn't grow morose, the writer did. Also I noticed that another Chinese Civil War happened... repetitive isn't it? Only thing I could secretly got accomplished was the the baby was born and the announcement of a new series that doesn't seem to tie in with this saga. So over all disappointing. So much potential also so much left unsaid. Is there more coming in the for of a mary saga or a beth saga? And do I want to continue to hope for them? Oh well im off to my next book to read.
15 maybe 16 books the MC gains power all the way to the world stage and you end this book with a line about giving it all up. Your character didn't grow morose, the writer did. Also I noticed that another Chinese Civil War happened... repetitive isn't it? Only thing I could secretly got accomplished was the the baby was born and the announcement of a new series that doesn't seem to tie in with this saga. So over all disappointing. So much potential also so much left unsaid. Is there more coming in the for of a mary saga or a beth saga? And do I want to continue to hope for them? Oh well im off to my next book to read.
December 17, 2023
This is a long running series, that in the main I have really enjoyed, but given the starting point, I can’t believe this is how it has ended. It feels like the author wanted a spectacular ending, but he seems to have done this by throwing in every random idea he could think of.
Some examples;
In the end the revelations were not followed up and the series came to a quiet and inconclusive ending.
Some examples;
In the end the revelations were not followed up and the series came to a quiet and inconclusive ending.
September 10, 2023
Fantasy of ever
Ed Nelson has quite an immagination. I have known a few men who have accomplished a few of what Richards story is about but none in real life . Granted ...!.Richard was a brave I dividual but l
Asked common sense in moist cases he got in trouble in. The end he turned out to be joins all.people with money . If it was something he wanted buy it boom after the cost of money or people. . He had more luck than
Common sense . I had no like for his type of personality He really let other people run. His life
Ed Nelson has quite an immagination. I have known a few men who have accomplished a few of what Richards story is about but none in real life . Granted ...!.Richard was a brave I dividual but l
Asked common sense in moist cases he got in trouble in. The end he turned out to be joins all.people with money . If it was something he wanted buy it boom after the cost of money or people. . He had more luck than
Common sense . I had no like for his type of personality He really let other people run. His life
November 13, 2022
Interesting finale
Reads in a way like later RAH. It is plain to see the author is wrapping up the series. And it is done in the style so well used in the previous books. The way is open for a new series with the next generation maybe. Yes as the author states in the afterword, A soft landing for the finale, but all in all an enjoyable read if feeling a touch shortened.
Reads in a way like later RAH. It is plain to see the author is wrapping up the series. And it is done in the style so well used in the previous books. The way is open for a new series with the next generation maybe. Yes as the author states in the afterword, A soft landing for the finale, but all in all an enjoyable read if feeling a touch shortened.
December 31, 2022
Wow! The end of the first arc of 15 books!
Well, Mr. Nelson, you’ve finished Richard Jackson’s youth in fine style!
Now, how about your next arc, his majority reached with the vastness of space before him, Mei-Ling, and their children? After all, the Universe is your oyster, so to speak! Well Done, Mr. Nelson. Please get your juices flowing, and those keys clicking! I’m 73, and not gettin’ any younger!
Well, Mr. Nelson, you’ve finished Richard Jackson’s youth in fine style!
Now, how about your next arc, his majority reached with the vastness of space before him, Mei-Ling, and their children? After all, the Universe is your oyster, so to speak! Well Done, Mr. Nelson. Please get your juices flowing, and those keys clicking! I’m 73, and not gettin’ any younger!
December 5, 2022
Good fun series, last couple not nearly as good.
Really enjoyed the first 5-6 books of the series. Middle batch had its ups and down. The last two books I found myself skimming entire sections and wondering when it would end. I was too invested in the entire series to just skip them but easily this series could have ended a few books back. Still worth taking a look.
Really enjoyed the first 5-6 books of the series. Middle batch had its ups and down. The last two books I found myself skimming entire sections and wondering when it would end. I was too invested in the entire series to just skip them but easily this series could have ended a few books back. Still worth taking a look.
December 28, 2022
Great Series but
I really enjoyed these books. But please get a editor to help with time. A couple years of movies, a couple of years in Russia, a couple of years in the outback, a couple of years in Asia, and then a couple of years in space is not 21 years old with Mary only ten. Minus time blind great story...
I really enjoyed these books. But please get a editor to help with time. A couple years of movies, a couple of years in Russia, a couple of years in the outback, a couple of years in Asia, and then a couple of years in space is not 21 years old with Mary only ten. Minus time blind great story...
November 11, 2023
So we come to the end
Bittersweet. I've truly loved binge-reading this series. And loved the Easter egg to Laurence Dahners. Many of the same themes are explored. I've now read all the published works by Mr. Nelson and have to wait for him to write. I hope he has a long and productive career.
Bittersweet. I've truly loved binge-reading this series. And loved the Easter egg to Laurence Dahners. Many of the same themes are explored. I've now read all the published works by Mr. Nelson and have to wait for him to write. I hope he has a long and productive career.
January 31, 2024
poor
I'm really glad the author has decided to stop at this point as the last couple of book have been tedious , Ricks story was fantastic initially but the richer and more powerful he became the more boring his life was and the science was way above my head and I found myself skipping pages , I'll always think on his earlier adventures with a smile.
I'm really glad the author has decided to stop at this point as the last couple of book have been tedious , Ricks story was fantastic initially but the richer and more powerful he became the more boring his life was and the science was way above my head and I found myself skipping pages , I'll always think on his earlier adventures with a smile.
July 26, 2025
A MOST EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
I have read the whole series and have enjoyed all of it. I was a teen when Rick Jackson begins his adventures and grew up in Southern California, so may have experiential pleasure that might be missed. by some. This is a fun romp with some interesting ideas. How would things be different if …. didn’t happen. How does a teen get taken seriously?
I have read the whole series and have enjoyed all of it. I was a teen when Rick Jackson begins his adventures and grew up in Southern California, so may have experiential pleasure that might be missed. by some. This is a fun romp with some interesting ideas. How would things be different if …. didn’t happen. How does a teen get taken seriously?
January 7, 2023
So much fun!
The Richard Jackson Saga was so much fun I read all the books twice. I gave the book and the series five stars because it was a well written humorous fast paced adventure suitable for all ages. If you want a great slice of life adventure this is the c series for you
The Richard Jackson Saga was so much fun I read all the books twice. I gave the book and the series five stars because it was a well written humorous fast paced adventure suitable for all ages. If you want a great slice of life adventure this is the c series for you
February 17, 2024
The end?
I look back at the story of Rick. For the most part I enjoyed reading it. Yes it dragged at times but it made you laugh and even marvelled at times that someone could create such a story. I feel this is a sci-fi novel. One of the best I have ever read and enjoyed.
I look back at the story of Rick. For the most part I enjoyed reading it. Yes it dragged at times but it made you laugh and even marvelled at times that someone could create such a story. I feel this is a sci-fi novel. One of the best I have ever read and enjoyed.
November 13, 2022
great finish
I’ve enjoyed the entire Richard Jackson series. I’m looking forward to the next one. Keep up the good work. Thank you
I’ve enjoyed the entire Richard Jackson series. I’m looking forward to the next one. Keep up the good work. Thank you
November 23, 2022
Thanks for all the fishes
It has been quite a journey following the growth of Richard Jackson, from the hitchhiking trip to the Luna King. So long, and thanks for the fishes!
It has been quite a journey following the growth of Richard Jackson, from the hitchhiking trip to the Luna King. So long, and thanks for the fishes!
December 15, 2022
The Richard Jackson saga, book 16
As with all of the other books, this is been a fun read. I like the action in it. Also, I like the characters and the development.
As with all of the other books, this is been a fun read. I like the action in it. Also, I like the characters and the development.
February 12, 2023
Pretty good.
March 7, 2024
A good ending to a great series
This book is very readable and entertaining as is the whole series. Very entertaining. I highly recommend the whole series.
This book is very readable and entertaining as is the whole series. Very entertaining. I highly recommend the whole series.
July 17, 2024
Fun read
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review.
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review.
August 13, 2025
Mehhhh went from hitching across America to interstellar, but this book was rather contrived.
January 16, 2025
A fun read for teens, but far too political for me. I dont need another far right author laying into socialism and unions. Or anything to the left of Ghengis Khan.
February 14, 2023
Enjoyed this series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews