Title: No Lookin’ Back: True-To-Life Western Story
Authors: Ted Riddle, Linda Riddle
Publisher: Ewings Publishing LLC
ISBN: 979–8890317469
Pages: 370
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis
No Lookin’ Back was brought to life early one Sunday morning in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where the authors Ted and Linda Riddle lived. Ted sat straight up in bed and said, “I know how I died.” That startled Linda, who was asleep next to him. His story flowed in such a way, it brought tears and laughter to her. She grabbed a yellow tablet and pencil and began writing. He did not slow down, so she could catch up. Soon she found a tape recorder and began recording this saga. Linda knew that this was not a dream. The tone of his voice was different and even the dialect was strange, as Ted continued well into the morning. Later, when they both realized that this “gift”, had to be published, Ted asked Linda to “add the sunsets and the eagles flying.” She went to libraries as they traveled, even to Alaska twice, with their work and researched for facts for the book. She took pictures of locations where the story took place and drew illustrations. Names of their family members and friends were added, as the story developed. The story begins during the Civil War, when Thomas Jefferson Summers and his brother John, join the Union Army. As Ted continues with his tale, he even knows the name of his wife, children, places and events. He knows how he died, so that is the first chapter in the book. The journey takes Tom and the reader through many life-threatening adventures, at every turn. Based on facts from Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma Territory, Texas, Kansas and Colorado, and a timeline of early western history, you feel that you are living each moment.
There has never been a time or place like the early American West. Freedom was the quest of all who sought her.
About the Author
Ted Riddle was born near Red Rock, Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in diesel and electrical technology. In college Ted and two others formed a small band and played at local events. He then owned and operated his ranch of longhorn cattle and wheat. He raised two daughters and built a log house bed and breakfast near Red Rock.In the 70s and ’80s he was active in the American Agricultural Movement and president of the Oklahoma chapter. He went to DC many times with other farmers and met with senators in an effort to save the family farms. He was part of the Tractorcade that went to DC. He organized a hotline to help prevent Farmers from committing suicide. Recently he was honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol for that endeavor.He is featured in the Proud and Immortal Storytelling Project as told by OSU alumni. He and Linda are listed in The Marquis Who’s Who of America for outstanding achievements and have made innumerable contributions to society.Upon marrying Linda, Ted became a superintendent for Recon Construction Company and later for Great Southwestern Construction Company. Linda was his project coordinator. They oversaw a team with whom they traveled across the Midwest building electrical substations and wind farms.
Linda (Love) Riddle was born in Delta, Colorado and spent her first years on a farm enjoying her own horse and helping with the beginning of Delta’s first rodeo. Then the family moved to Spenard, Alaska near Anchorage. While in Alaska she was crowned Fire Prevention Queen. She played the French horn in the band, ice skated, played tennis and performed in many plays. She was also active in her church and 4-h.She raised three sons and co-owned and operated The Daylight Donut Shop in Tonkawa and Blackwell Oklahoma for many years.After earning a trip to San Antonio, Texas Linda was chosen to be an extra in the movie, Viva Max with Peter Ustinov and John Astin. In Tonkawa she had the lead in an Off-roadway show that performed at NOC. She helped organize the celebration of America’s Bicentennial.Loving history she studied the lives of the Founding Fathers and the sacrifices that they made for our country. Giving many speeches on this subject. Even, making her own Betsy Ross dress for these events. Linda enjoyed teaching Good News Club (Bible study for children) in her home for several years.Linda studied art in Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa with Jean Dougherty, Larry Stevenson and Audrey Schmitz. She also studied with Barbara Bartles of Taso, New Mexico, also in La Vita Colorado, earning several awards. She was published for her art and poetry in the Harvest magazine at NOC and wrote a weekly column for the Tonkawa News.While living in Tonkawa Ted and Linda wrote their book “True-to-Life-Story: “No Lookin’ Back”. After being published and now that they are retired, they have been busy promoting their book, with book signings, radio interviews, making a web page and now a screenplay is being written for them.Ted and Linda now reside in Walnut shade, Missouri, near Branson. Their motto is, “May the West always be a blessing to you.”