Once More To The Rodeo
A Memoir
by Calvin Hennick
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Pub Date Dec 10 2019 | Archive Date Nov 30 2019
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Description
A memoir about fatherhood, family, and what it means to be a man in America.
Five years into fatherhood, Calvin Hennick is plagued by self-doubt and full of questions. How can he teach his son to be a man, when his own father figures abandoned him? As a white man, what can he possibly teach his biracial son about how to live as a black man in America? And what does it even mean to be a man today, when society’s expectations of men seem to change from moment to moment?
In search of answers, Calvin takes his young son on the road, traveling across the country to the annual rodeo in his small Iowa hometown. Along the way, a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame turns into an impromptu lesson about racism and segregation. In Niagara Falls, a day of arcade games and go-karts unexpectedly morphs into a titanic struggle between father and son. A stop in Chicago rips the scars off of old wounds. And back in Iowa, Calvin is forced to confront the most difficult question of all: What if his flaws and family history doom him to repeat the mistakes of the past?
In this unforgettable debut memoir, Calvin Hennick holds a mirror up to both himself and modern America, in an urgent and timely story that all parents, and indeed all Americans, need to read.
About the Author: Calvin Hennick is a business and technology writer based in Boston. He wrote for many years for The Boston Globe and his prize-winning work has appeared in over 50 publications.
Advance Praise
“In this powerful memoir, Calvin Hennick -- a white father trying to prepare his tenderhearted brown son for an often-hostile world -- attempts to come to terms with the scars left by his own painful family history. ONCE MORE TO THE RODEO is a hilarious and deeply moving journey, simultaneously optimistic yet also clear-eyed about the difficulties of fatherhood and race."” - Celeste Ng, author of “Little Fires Everywhere”
“As a father I found myself nodding along with this memoir the whole way. Authentic, compelling, and relate able, Once More to the Rodeo brings the complex themes of fatherhood, identity, and family to life in a unique way. Calvin Hennick, a gifted storyteller, has hit it out of the park with this memoir – truly a fantastic read for fathers and sons alike!” - Sam Kennedy, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox
“Calvin Hennick’s memoir about a road trip with his son hits all the right notes and touches our American nerves — on the subjects of fatherhood, racism, and responsibility. The book is beautifully constructed and very moving. I loved it.” - Charles Baxter
“In the journey of a father and son, Calvin Hennick has written a heartfelt, searching story about America. 'Once More to the Rodeo' is rich with themes of the rural and urban divide, tradition and legacy, the complicated landscapes of race — but most of all, love. It is a book that will stay with me for a long time.” - Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich, author of “The Fact of a Body”
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781888889970 |
| PRICE | $16.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Beth H, Reviewer
In his memoir, Hennick reflects on his own relationship with his father, his relationship with his son, and the differences they experience in society because of their skin color. Calvin and his son take a road trip to the Midwest, and those days in the car are perfect for reflection, exploration, discussion, and having the absolute best time together. This book is emotional and touching and while it may resonate with men about the type of father they want to be, it is also a great book for everyone to stop and reflect on the legacy they want to leave and instill with the important people in their lives.
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