Redemption: The Two Lives of Harry Brooks

by Brooks Eason

The Two Lives of Harry Brook s is a work of historical fiction based on the life of Brooks Eason’s grandfather.   In the first half of Harry’s life, he embezzled money from the Uniontown, PA, school district where he was the elected superintendent, left his wife for another woman, and sought to escape by booking passage on a Cunard liner to Liverpool. But his plan was foiled, Scotland Yard arrested him when the ship docked, and he was extradited, tried, convicted, and served three years in Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh. In the second half of Harry’s life, he came to the South, where he spent his last thirty-five years as a revered and successful Methodist minister and church official. He was a district superintendent overseeing a hundred congregations at the time of his death in 1942. In 1934, when President Roosevelt spoke to a crowd of 75,000 in North Mississippi, Harry was chosen to give the invocation. Nobody in the huge crown knew the preacher at the lectern was an ex-con.  The Two Lives of Harry Brooks entertains readers with a fascinating story and uses Harry’s life to illustrate important principles of theology, principally that all men are sinners but that even the worst of sinners are capable of redemption. It is unique and appealing because it’s based on a true story of a man who could have given up when he lost everything, but instead he persevered. The Two Lives of Harry Brooks appeals to audiences who are interested in an inspiring story of overcoming hardship.

278 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2022

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Brooks certainly led a fascinating life. He is a prime example of a multi-dimensional character. Was he a con man through and through? Was he an ordinary man trying to overcome a sinful nature and live his faith? The author paints a great picture of the possibilities based on the facts available. The end notes clarify what is fact and what is fiction. The story, as written, is truly one of redemption through grace.
The author’s writing style is almost conversational making it easy to read and follow the long life of his grandfather.

[Steven Hinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story.

I enjoyed this story. The author has done a great job of telling his grandfather's story, based on his research. His grandfather hid his past from his 2nd family. But he led an exemplary life before and after his fall from grace.