Title: Memoirs of a Born Adventurer
Author: D. Thomas Gochenour
Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 979-8891579743
Pages: 467
Genre: Biographical / Fiction
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Hollywood Book Reviews
There is something to be said for those who feel a calling in life. For so many people finding their purpose or true destiny in life is a struggle they must endure for many years, but a lucky few find themselves experiencing a pull or push towards one particular field or another which drives the rest of their lives. This calling, whether it be personal or something that serves others, is something ultimately cannot be ignored, and keeps pushing people forward in life.
Purpose and the need to embrace it go hand in hand with author D. Thomas Gochenour’s Memoirs of a Born Adventurer. Exploring the life of Lord Highford, the book takes readers on a journey for a man who is introduced to stories of adventurers and heroes early on in his childhood and ultimately feels inspired by these stories to begin a life of adventure for himself. Joining the British SAS, Lord Highford’s journey explores life as a soldier turned mercenary, his ties to nobility, and his push to become an explorer around the world and ultimately led to a final quest which nearly cost him everything, from his ranking in English society to his fortune and even his life.
Highly engaging right from the start, the author’s unique use of memoir-style writing made this auto-fiction novel feel much more real and thrilling. The way the author framed the narrative as a memoir while layering the story with adventure and suspense kept me hooked and the pacing felt like that of an older man lovingly relaying their life experiences. The author tapped into a profoundly unique vein of popularity in modern culture, which is that of the adventurer meets explorer, popularized by films and projects like Indiana Jones. The book elevates that concept though to showcase how those types of stories, as well as classic mythology, have impacted the psychology and mindset of so many people such as the protagonist of this tale, and the realities of pursuing such a path leading to life in service to the military, as well as creating a powerful mercenary force.
Readers who enjoy action and adventure stories, especially those which create a genre fiction setting that employs memoir and auto-fiction storytelling elements, will absolutely love this book. The world building and character dynamics were greatly developed in this narrative, including the protagonist’s love life and how his career path impacted his life. From friendships with others such as Lord and Lady Taunton to how he adapted to life as a husband and father, and ultimately how a mission to Equatorial N’Mundi lead to a life-altering event that would change him forever, the book ranged from bold and adventurous to introspective and emotionally-charged, making this a compelling novel to get lost in.