General & Miscellaneous Biography, Christian Biography, Patient Narratives

Rolling Pennies in the Dark: A Memoir with a Message

Name: Rolling Pennies in the Dark: A Memoir with a Message
Author: Douglas MacKinnon
ISBN: 9781451607895

by Douglas MacKinnon

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Overview

This very personal memoir is both heartbreaking and highly inspirational. In it, Douglas MacKinnon weaves his astounding story as a desperately poor child and his triumphant transition from abject squalor to White House writer who now has the political influence to change the system—especially as it affects children.

With humor, compassion, faith, and brutal honesty, Douglas MacKinnon writes eloquently of the pain of being unloved and neglected, and of his victorious struggle to overcome his past. But this book is more than the story of one man’s personal journey; it is a memoir with a message. Through this message, the author not only inspires readers to move beyond their own difficulties, he also calls both political parties to task for their shameful neglect of tens of millions of Americans. You’ll be riveted to the story, moved to compassion, and inspired to see the world through new eyes.

Synopsis

A heartbreaking and inspirational memoir of one man’s journey from abject childhood poverty and abuse to a high-level career as a White House writer.

This very personal memoir is both heartbreaking and highly inspirational. In it, Douglas MacKinnon weaves his astounding story as a desperately poor child and his triumphant transition from abject squalor to White House writer who now has the political influence to change the system—especially as it affects children.

With humor, compassion, faith, and brutal honesty, Douglas MacKinnon writes eloquently of the pain of being unloved and neglected, and of his victorious struggle to overcome his past. But this book is more than the story of one man’s personal journey; it is a memoir with a message. Through this message, the author not only inspires readers to move beyond their own difficulties, he also calls both political parties to task for their shameful neglect of tens of millions of Americans. You’ll be riveted to the story, moved to compassion, and inspired to see the world through new eyes.

About the Author, Douglas MacKinnon

Douglas MacKinnon served in the White House as a writer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and afterwards in a joint command at the Pentagon, where he had a top secret government clearance. He is a regular contributor to several major newspapers. To date, he has published more than 600 columns in every major paper in the country—including Investor’s Business Daily, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA TODAY, Chicago Tribune, The Houston Chronicle, The Baltimore Sun, and The Washington Examiner—and makes frequent appearances on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. He is the author of a memoir, Rolling Pennies in the Dark.

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Editorials

Elizabeth Dole

"This deeply moving and inspirational story is supported by a foundation of faith, compassion, and personal responsibility."

David Langworthy

"The male version of The Glass Castle. Harrowing, shocking, and relevant to everyone."

Marty Martin

"MacKinnon has walked the walk when called upon and his real-life experience makes for a compelling book that will speak to countless people going through tough times."

Publishers Weekly

MacKinnon, a former Pentagon official and Director of Communications for Senator Bob Dole, grew up abysmally poor in a rough Boston neighborhood, literally having to roll pennies in the dark with his mother in order to pay for food and medicine for his baby sister. In spite of his alcoholic and often absent parents, MacKinnon persevered and flourished, using his "PhD in street smarts," innate intelligence, and a love of science and writing to propel himself forward. "I went through and survived something the vast majority of Americans will never know, understand, or defeat. And because of that...I've got a wealth of knowledge on poverty, crime, and human nature that most in politics...or life...will never have." Detailing his many struggles and triumphs, MacKinnon's is not just a rags-to-riches story-as promised by the title, MacKinnon has a message: "'We are our brother's keeper'...too many of us turn our back on those in need as we dash into our homes and lock the doors." At times as dark as a film-noir and at others surprisingly tender, MacKinnon's story is consistently riveting and inspiring.
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Kirkus Reviews

Political writer and former White House and Pentagon official MacKinnon (Vengeance is Mine, 2010) recounts his poor childhood with alcoholic parents in a forceful commentary about poverty. At age six, the author saved his parents from a candle fire (the electricity was, typically, cut off) by tossing a toy bucket of water over the burning mattress on which they lay in an alcohol-induced coma. At eight, he and his siblings were abandoned in a car to succumb to hypothermia while his parents waited out the snowstorm in a bar. By nine, he ducked a shooting rampage by his mother; by 13, he had been stabbed in a gang fight; by 17, his family had been evicted more than 30 times. MacKinnon addresses his pain in a raw voice, with little forgiveness for his criminally neglectful parents. The author eventually fought his way out of poverty and into college, crediting intervening relatives, supportive teachers, love of reading and writing, faith and determination to save his siblings and himself. MacKinnon takes great pride in the fact that he never fell into a life of crime because of his roots and has no sympathy for those who have, a view that dominates later chapters. As a writer for the Reagan White House and director of communications for Bob Dole, MacKinnon hit his stride and honed his stance on poverty. For him, poverty is a moral issue that can only be solved by a collective commitment by legislators to truly understand the experience. The "message" portion of the book would be stronger if he offered a more specific plan for making this happen, and the vitriol he engages in while condemning enemies of the poor (the liberal media and teachers unions) is off-putting. The emotionally and politically charged writing is repetitive and lacks the sophistication and poetry of similar childhood horror stories by Mary Karr and Jeannette Walls. MacKinnon's powerful example is consistently fueled by his desire to help others and by his laudable perspective that individuals must make use of their gifts despite the odds. A combative addition to the literature of the war on poverty.