RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN
“Growing up in the mill slums surrounding Pittsburgh, all Daniel Robinson ever wanted was a family who loved him. What he got was ignored by a mother who hid in her room praying to an unseen God and a drunk for a father who used everyone as a punching bag….”
PODCASTS
Listen to John’s guest appearances on podcasts from around the world as they discuss Good Samaritan Home, second chances, and the novel that tells that story.
FEATURED PODCAST
Check out John’s appearance on Author’s Excerpt Sunday podcast with Sharise Johnson-Moore talking about his book Running As Fast As I Can.
CITIZEN CIRCLE: A MENTORING MODEL FOR REHABILITATING EX-OFFENDERS IN DARKE COUNTY, OHIO
“My name is Frank and I am currently an inmate in prison and I heard of Good Samaritan Home through a friend who gave me the article you wrote for the newspaper…”
I’VE MET THE DEVIL
“I’ve met the Devil. He is nine years old, stands four foot tall and wears a Girl Scout uniform. “Hello Mr. Graham. Our Girl Scout troop is selling cookies again this year and I know how much you love them. Remember last year you bought sixteen boxes from me? How many boxes would you like this year?”
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Book Review
“Running As Fast As I Can is a genuine page-turner. A good writer makes you either laugh or cry. John David Graham did both. Daniel’s story had me struggling at times to read through my tears. Graham is a truly great author, in my view, because long after putting the book aside, the characters still live with you. Graham takes you into their world to walk in their shoes, to feel what they feel, to think what they think, and to know what they know. You learn with them. You love with them. You cry with them. And in the end, you draw on the experiences you share with them to shape your view of the world. This book shines a light in dark corners. The author does not hold back in his judgment of human behavior and a society shaped by prejudices. But he reminds us that life is written in pencil so that we can erase a mistake and start over. As we join Daniel on his journey, I suspect most of us will reflect on the times we needed to erase a chapter and rewrite it. We ponder the race we are running; our own search for love, for a place to belong in the world, and for a way to light the path for those who struggle in a dark place. Running As Fast As I Can is told with deep compassion and understanding. It’s a story of love and forgiveness. Intensely emotional, it is also timely and relevant, highlighting social issues our society still struggles with today. It is, in my opinion, truly a masterpiece.”
— Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers’ Favorite