That Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle West

The reason that I read the book was because of the mention of it in the story of Ronald Reagan. I wanted to know what it was that influenced Ronald to be what he was besides the amazing religious training that he had by his mother. This was the first book of Harold Bell Wright that I have read, and have subsequently read some other of the same author. The story line is amazing in it's detail as it traces the difficulties that faced those who have started off with nothing and yet have ascended to a meaningful station in life through the practicing of the golden rule to "do as you would be done by". As I have also a strong religious upbringing, there can be seen in the book the moral overtones from a Bible based mind, which leads to the ultimate thought of the commendation of Christ "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me" The book is rewarding in its story and provides the reader with the reasons to accept the moral picture being painted and ultimately reflected in a great President who started off in a difficult era as a boy who's greatest riches was the spiritual upbringing he received and which he practiced as he made his way through life.

In reading a biography of Ronald Reagan, I learned that when eleven year old Reagan finished reading this book he went to his mother and said, "I want to be like that man." Intrigued, I wanted to find out what "that man" was like. So, when I read this story I did so with an eye toward understanding Reagan and the development of his character. I was immediately struck by the similarities between Reagan and the book's hero, Dick Falkner. Both were raised in poverty, both had alcoholic fathers, both were straight shooters, and both seem to have had an abiding faith in their fellow man. I found the book's colorful language quite charming, its character development excellent, and the problems and concerns presented very true to life. As I read along I could almost sense young Reagan's character taking form. I was particularly struck by the fact that the problems of 1902 in Boyd City are in large measure today's problems---human nature seems to have changed very little over the years. My only complaint about the book is that the broad sweep evident in the early part of the story seemed to narrow in the latter pages, resulting in a somewhat quick and surprising ending based on several poorly explained coincidences. All in all, I greatly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone with a love for our 40th President or a desire to better understand him, as well as those who simply like a good story.

Another salutary story showing how Harold Bell Wright earned the sobriquet of "Storyteller to America." I did not know but am not surprised by the previous reviewer's observation that Ronald Reagan read this work as a boy and was profoundly touched by it. There is something so American about Mr. Wright's works and this upright, exciting tale is no exception. Fleshed out characters populate a fast-paced allegory where true Christianity is venerated while those who are Christian in name only are seen to be lacking. This release was one of Mr. Wright's first -if not his actual debut novel, and it made a promise that his prolific career kept.

Any political junkie or political scientist who wants to understand Ronald Reagan the man and the politician must start with this book. Young Reagan read it when he was 11 years old and promptly decided that he wanted to become an evangelical Christian, informing his Mother that he wanted to be baptized. Reagan obviously identified with the protagonist of this story who like Reagan was the son of an alcoholic father who through the power of faith became a better man and works to change his community through his church. The book concludes with his marching off to Washington to assume a political career. Sound familiar? Don't miss this book!

Another story by Christian writer Harold Bell Wright set in the state of Missouri at the turn of the century. The story is set in the city of Boyd, a bustling center. A homeless man, Dick Falkner, arrives in town in search of work and food. He wants to work but has had a string of hard times hit upon him. He finds work at Udell's print shop, after many rejections by the supposed "Christian" folk of the town. He is found to be a competent worker and is honest and of strong character. He becomes involved with a church in the town, who pastor wants to create a YMCA of sorts of homeless people. This is not taken well by the other preachers nor some of the members of the church. However, the pastor does create a YMCA with the help of the young people of his church. Falkner's reputation grows and he eventually joins the church and participates in the formation of the group. It is the first church he has ever joined because he has viewed Christians as those who go to church, look holy, and then leave unchanged and impassive to the world's poor. During the course of the story he gets involved with a rich man's daughter and they have an on again - off again relationship (due to societal circumstances and her father's rejection of their friendship). This story is billed as one on Practical Christianity. Wright wrote many Christian novels that are part romance, part western, and part literature. This one was syrupy at times and I felt that the organizing of the YMCA-like organization was lost in the development of Dick Falkner's relationship with Amy Goodrich. There are also many others characters that make this story colorful and interesting. However, it was a bit like the other Wright book, The Calling of Dan Matthews, so the ideas were a bit redundant. However, the crux of the book is that being a Christian is more than going to church once a week, but following and implementing the teachings of Christ.