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The Golden Ring: A Christmas Story
It is just days before the Christmas of 1918 in a picturesque township nestled in the mountains of coal country. Anna Beal, an idealistic nine-year-old, is very close with her father Joseph, a hardworking railroad engineer. As Christmas approaches, a series of puzzling dreams shared by Joseph and Anna about a golden ring mystifies them both. Based on a true story.
181 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 1999
7 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
John Snyder
1 book17 followersMy new book, JACOB'S BELL: A CHRISTMAS STORY, was released nationally into bookstores, retailers and online by my publisher (Hachette Book Group/FaithWords) on October 2, 2018. It is available as a hardcover book, an ebook and an audiobook (MP3 & CD formats). Signed copies of my bestselling book, THE GOLDEN RING: A CHRISTMAS STORY, are still available on my website (www.johnsnyder.net) for just $10 (hardcover).
I was born and raised in Cumberland, a small mountain town in western Maryland. I graduated from Allegany High School (Cumberland) and the University of Maryland (College Park) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. My first job was a Parole and Probation Agent with the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation. I supervised a caseload of adult parolees and probationers before being assigned to the investigative unit. I served on numerous task forces and worked on special assignments with the headquarters office on legislative and policy issues. I also worked on special assignment with the Warrants Unit transporting parolees, arrested in other states, back to Maryland for prosecution. To earn additional income, I worked part-time as a real estate agent and a bounty hunter. At the age of 26, my interest in politics led me to seek a seat in the Maryland Legislature. Well ... my inexperienced and under financed campaign did not lead to a career in politics - needless to say! But, I look back on the experience as a valuable one.
In 1981 I founded my own marketing firm. My firm specialized in public relations, sports marketing and advertising. Over the years my business prospered and grew. The Snyder Group, Inc. developed and implemented national award-winning marketing campaigns for regional and national corporations. My firm has also worked with and represented some of the world's top professional athletes, sports franchises and sporting events.
I resided in Maryland (near Annapolis) from my college years until April of 2004. Seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, I moved to Mocksville, North Carolina (just West of Winston-Salem) with my wife, Ruth Ellen. I have two beautiful daughters, Nikki and Carli.
When not writing, my interests and hobbies include spending time with my family and friends, camping, hiking, golf, auto racing (I have raced karts – capable of speeds in excess of 100mph, pit crewed in the Indianapolis 500, and operated the driver communications board from the wall at the edges of speedways across the United States for my former client, two-time Indy 500 winner and national auto racing champion, Al Unser, Jr). I also enjoy in-line skating, mountain biking, politics, nature and making a positive difference in the lives others.
I was born and raised in Cumberland, a small mountain town in western Maryland. I graduated from Allegany High School (Cumberland) and the University of Maryland (College Park) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. My first job was a Parole and Probation Agent with the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation. I supervised a caseload of adult parolees and probationers before being assigned to the investigative unit. I served on numerous task forces and worked on special assignments with the headquarters office on legislative and policy issues. I also worked on special assignment with the Warrants Unit transporting parolees, arrested in other states, back to Maryland for prosecution. To earn additional income, I worked part-time as a real estate agent and a bounty hunter. At the age of 26, my interest in politics led me to seek a seat in the Maryland Legislature. Well ... my inexperienced and under financed campaign did not lead to a career in politics - needless to say! But, I look back on the experience as a valuable one.
In 1981 I founded my own marketing firm. My firm specialized in public relations, sports marketing and advertising. Over the years my business prospered and grew. The Snyder Group, Inc. developed and implemented national award-winning marketing campaigns for regional and national corporations. My firm has also worked with and represented some of the world's top professional athletes, sports franchises and sporting events.
I resided in Maryland (near Annapolis) from my college years until April of 2004. Seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, I moved to Mocksville, North Carolina (just West of Winston-Salem) with my wife, Ruth Ellen. I have two beautiful daughters, Nikki and Carli.
When not writing, my interests and hobbies include spending time with my family and friends, camping, hiking, golf, auto racing (I have raced karts – capable of speeds in excess of 100mph, pit crewed in the Indianapolis 500, and operated the driver communications board from the wall at the edges of speedways across the United States for my former client, two-time Indy 500 winner and national auto racing champion, Al Unser, Jr). I also enjoy in-line skating, mountain biking, politics, nature and making a positive difference in the lives others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 3, 2017
This story is true with a little elaboration on the author's part. The story was told to him by his grandmother when she was 89 years old. It took place when she was 9. It involves her father giving her a ring and her giving it away for a very important reason, Her father was mad at first but saw the goodness in her heart before long. She got another ring from "Santa" . The author decided to write down his grandmother's story to share it with his wife and children. What started out as a short story for his family ended up as the amazing story I just read. Sadly she passed away just days after receiving finished copy of The Golden Ring. She was buried with her copy of the book.
I recommend this to ALL!
I recommend this to ALL!
November 12, 2009
A wonderful heart warming christmas story. A story about giving from your heart to others who need it most when hard times are upon us. I know times were a lot slower and peaceful back in 1918 but work was hard and sometimes there was no work at all and it simply amazed me that even back in that time that the rail road never even closed down for christmas. I love how the wintery snow makes christmas time all the more enjoyable.
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December 23, 2018This was my Christmas read for this year. Sweet story!
November 7, 2018
Too sappy for me, sorry. Love that it is based on a true family story.
September 4, 2025
This short story was written by the author after his grandmother told the story to him. It is about her childhood and one very memorable Christmas. This is based on a true story in Meyersdale, PA. Good read!
January 26, 2015
I found The Golden Ring a wonderful book to read at Christmas. It reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas – not the parties, not the gifts or consumerism but the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the love and sharing of ourselves and what we have to offer with our family members, friends and neighbours. People of faith and people of human kindness and also holiday grinches should all enjoy this book and its important messages.
The heart warming story takes place at Christmas but its message would resonate at any time of year. It is based on the true story of the author’s grandmother Anna; that happened during Christmas in 1918, when she was a very young girl. She didn’t tell anyone her story until years later when she told her grandson during her last Christmas before she passed away. John Snyder first chose to put the story in writing as a short story for his daughters so that his grandmother’s story would live on. Later he expanded the non-fiction and into a much larger work of fiction. It is still a small sized book, a novella of only 181 pages and printed on small sized pages. Its messages and impact however are very powerful and support the adage that “big things often come in small packages.”
One message is to ask your parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents about their favourite Christmas memories (although any special memories would be equally important) while they are still living, so that you can capture their memories for posterity, rather than lose them forever when they pass away.
Another important message is about the power of giving unselfishly and loving and helping those less fortunate. By giving without attachment or expectation, the giver truly receives as much if not more than the recipient.
This book is the first book and I think the only book written by John Snyder. I thought it flowed well and found it easy to read. Others have been more critical of the author’s writing style but I thought the language was appropriate for the period. I also felt by expanding the book he was basically writing a tribute to his grandmother so I fully understood the highly positive way he portrayed Anna, both as a young girl and older woman. For those who think she may be too good to be true – just ask yourself how highly do most grandchildren think of their nonas, nannas, grammas and grandmeres?
The Golden Ring tells a wonderful story about a loving family, rooted in neighbourly values and a strong belief and faith in a higher power. It is a joy to read about this family and to experience their loving interactions. Their pleasures are simple ones and the love they share is very moving and inspirational. The relationship between the father (the author’s great grandfather) and his daughter Anna was very special. Anna’s grasp of the value and true reason for giving and her unwavering faith and determination in doing the right thing was amazing. At a very young age, she set an excellent example and set a very high standard that many adults would have a tough time achieving.
I don’t doubt that this could become an annual holiday classic in many families. I know I plan to read it again during the holiday season.
The heart warming story takes place at Christmas but its message would resonate at any time of year. It is based on the true story of the author’s grandmother Anna; that happened during Christmas in 1918, when she was a very young girl. She didn’t tell anyone her story until years later when she told her grandson during her last Christmas before she passed away. John Snyder first chose to put the story in writing as a short story for his daughters so that his grandmother’s story would live on. Later he expanded the non-fiction and into a much larger work of fiction. It is still a small sized book, a novella of only 181 pages and printed on small sized pages. Its messages and impact however are very powerful and support the adage that “big things often come in small packages.”
One message is to ask your parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents about their favourite Christmas memories (although any special memories would be equally important) while they are still living, so that you can capture their memories for posterity, rather than lose them forever when they pass away.
Another important message is about the power of giving unselfishly and loving and helping those less fortunate. By giving without attachment or expectation, the giver truly receives as much if not more than the recipient.
This book is the first book and I think the only book written by John Snyder. I thought it flowed well and found it easy to read. Others have been more critical of the author’s writing style but I thought the language was appropriate for the period. I also felt by expanding the book he was basically writing a tribute to his grandmother so I fully understood the highly positive way he portrayed Anna, both as a young girl and older woman. For those who think she may be too good to be true – just ask yourself how highly do most grandchildren think of their nonas, nannas, grammas and grandmeres?
The Golden Ring tells a wonderful story about a loving family, rooted in neighbourly values and a strong belief and faith in a higher power. It is a joy to read about this family and to experience their loving interactions. Their pleasures are simple ones and the love they share is very moving and inspirational. The relationship between the father (the author’s great grandfather) and his daughter Anna was very special. Anna’s grasp of the value and true reason for giving and her unwavering faith and determination in doing the right thing was amazing. At a very young age, she set an excellent example and set a very high standard that many adults would have a tough time achieving.
I don’t doubt that this could become an annual holiday classic in many families. I know I plan to read it again during the holiday season.
December 2, 2018
It's that time of year again, when I pulled out whatever Christmas books I've added in my bookcase to read. This is one of three I hope to get read in December.
Based on a true story, this little book of only 181 pages is a quick read. It tells the story of the author's grandmother when she was 9 years old in 1918. It was a cute little story, though the writing was much to be desired. It was very amateurish and I could tell this was a first attempt at writing, while nothing wrong with that, heck everyone who writes has to start off somewhere. So good on John Snyder in getting published!
We are brought into the Christmas season of Anna, her parents and her 5 siblings. Anna's parents gave her a ring, a special ring she cherished since she's been given it. But being the kind heart soul she was, she gives it away, to another little girl who's family had nothing. She instructed this little girl to sell it, so they could get by. Anna knows she's done right in doing this, but she can't help but feel really sad because she's given her favourite thing away.
I won't tell anymore, I won't spoil what happens, but I will say the ending is very sad, and it may or may not have anything to do with Anna's ring.
Based on a true story, this little book of only 181 pages is a quick read. It tells the story of the author's grandmother when she was 9 years old in 1918. It was a cute little story, though the writing was much to be desired. It was very amateurish and I could tell this was a first attempt at writing, while nothing wrong with that, heck everyone who writes has to start off somewhere. So good on John Snyder in getting published!
We are brought into the Christmas season of Anna, her parents and her 5 siblings. Anna's parents gave her a ring, a special ring she cherished since she's been given it. But being the kind heart soul she was, she gives it away, to another little girl who's family had nothing. She instructed this little girl to sell it, so they could get by. Anna knows she's done right in doing this, but she can't help but feel really sad because she's given her favourite thing away.
I won't tell anymore, I won't spoil what happens, but I will say the ending is very sad, and it may or may not have anything to do with Anna's ring.
February 24, 2014
A beautiful Christmas story for a beautiful time of year. Would suggest that this becomes one of those books you read Christmas after Christmas!! A perfect family tradition.
December 2, 2024
4.5 stars -- I am glad that this story is not entirely true because I would have cried even more! The story's inspiration was a story told to the author by his grandmother when she was 89 years old. She had become thin again and was wearing a ring that he had never seen before. When he asked about it, this was her story. At its most simplistic, it involves two gold rings, dreams of Jesus, and the gift of giving. However, the images of family, love, and faith resonate the strongest with me. It's a beautiful story about the true meaning of Christmas.
December 2, 2017
I liked this book as it was based on a true story of a story the authors grandmother told of a childhood incident that she had never forgotten. It was set in 1918 in Pennsylvania near Christmas time about a young girl named Anna Beal. On Anna 9th birthday her parents gave her a beautiful golden ring. She cherished it more than anything. Many lessons learned from the ring that would change their feelings about Christmas.
December 31, 2019
A heartfelt and touching story that was the perfect book to wrap up my Christmas themed reading for 2019. I had never heard of this book until reading the author's book Jacob's Bell. I found that book very moving and knew that I had to read his other book. To read the author's comments on how the Golden Ring story was told to him by his grandmother, about her childhood, made this a very touching story and everything you want in a book to fill your heart with the Christmas spirit.
December 26, 2018
A story of how a young girl takes the lesson she learned about giving to others to heart and gives away her most prized posession- a ring she received from her parents. And about how her father learned that the fun parts of christmas- cutting down a tree, giving presents are a great way to enjoy family and friends and make beautiful memories for a lifetime.
December 13, 2019
Édes kis történet, kicsit visszarepit Aldrich könyvébe hangulatát tekintve.
A könyv az 1900-as évek elején játszódik, egy sok gyermekes család karácsonyának eseményeit írja le- a kedves tradíciókat, a szeretetteljes légkört. Szívmelengető olvasmány, egészen az utolsó oldalig, amikor is hirtelen szíven szúrják az olvasót. Nem spoilerezek. Megéri a pár óra időráfordítást.
December 5, 2021
What a beautiful Christmas story. I really enjoyed this book. To think that he wrote this about the story his grandmother told him about her most memorable Christmas is wonderful. So happy that he wrote it before she passed away and gave her a copy of the book. Recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a book about Christmas.
November 11, 2023
This was more religious than our normal Christmas book club picks. It had a very cute story. In some places it was a tad too sweet but it had a surprise ending that definitely reduced the sweetness. Very quick & easy read!
November 6, 2019
This was a cozy Christmas story--perfect for children as well as adults.
January 12, 2020
Long introduction to characters with a strong ending. Some of the history of the B & O Railroad was sprinkled throughout the story. I'm glad I continued to read it. The ending was heart warming.
December 2, 2020
A very heart warm Christmas story - true meaning of Christmas - Well written and interesting from the first page to the last page...
December 27, 2020
Wonderful book, with a message of love.
May 7, 2022
A Christmas story of Anna's ring. Her family and events that led to her giving up her precious ring and how another ring it's place and meant more to her than more anything. A very inspiring story.
October 30, 2022
A heartfelt and inspiring Christmas story.
December 21, 2022
Exactly the kind of glurge I want to read at Christmastime.
December 13, 2023
A cute and wholesome story about giving, family, and faith.
December 21, 2024
3.5 stars. Based on a true story, but embellished somewhat to make it a novel. Parts of this book were pretty sappy and sickly sweet, but overall it's a cute story.
December 19, 2025
I read this book to my kids and we all enjoyed it.
December 26, 2024
This book was a Christmas gift from my godmother back in 5th grade. I was just glad that one of my godparents actually know or see me, a kid who loved to read books. This was a non-pictured book, but a lovely read for a kid like me who grew up not having that kind of experience, or lack thereof, of a loving and tight-knit family. Very inspirational and charming of a story.
December 24, 2016
I'm giving this book 4 stars because of the message...not because of the writing itself. The book was o.k.; it moved a little slow for me. However, it had a great message about celebrating Christmas and giving. The story of how children often take the Sunday School lessons we hear about sacrificing and helping others to heart and want to take action, while adults are more content just to listen to them, and agree with them, but not actually take action and do things to help others. That was 4 stars.
May 9, 2010
What an absolutely heartwarming tale, all the more so because this story is true. In the winter of 1918, little Anna Beal had such marvelous dreams about Christmas with her parents and five brothers and sisters. They might not have much money. Her father’s job on the B & O Railroad didn’t allow them many frivolous things, but this was a very special holiday, a Christmas filled with love and giving, memories to last a lifetime. Beautifully told. What a treasure.
January 5, 2015
I bought this book three years ago started reading it and lost interest quick. I picked it up again two days ago because I couldn't remember why I didn't read it before and got hooked. This book was based on a true story and it really hit home. It really stresses the true meaning of Christmas and how we never know how much time we have in this world so spend it with your family. I deeply recommend it.
May 21, 2015
Grandma Anna tells her grandson the story of the gold ring she wears. The story takes place during the Christmas of 1918. Anna was told on a regular basis what the true meaning of Christmas was, she just never figured that at the age of nine she would be able to demonstrate is so perfectly.
I liked this story. It was an easy read and it was very touching.
I liked this story. It was an easy read and it was very touching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews