The Curmudgeon Tree David R Branon 9781457511646 Books
Download As PDF : The Curmudgeon Tree David R Branon 9781457511646 Books
THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE traces the character roots of Lassiter Malone, a hard-bitten amoral bastard who, by genetic osmosis and the twists of circumstance, emerges as the idiosyncratic, even brutal, composite of those who preceded him. Against a vibrantly written backdrop of American history and today's bureaucratic avarice, Malone pens his recollections of a life lived on the razor's edge. From his Irish immigrant ancestry to manipulative modern-day kingpin, he is a callous, cynical cuss you may, albeit begrudgingly, come to admire. Hard though Lassiter Malone's heart became it was won over by two women, the mercurial Kathleen Lowell Prescott, the high-spirited daughter of a powerful media magnate, and the ethereally beautiful Scarlett Belle Tannehill, born to the wealth carved out of the towering Louisiana pine forests. The impetuous Kathleen broke that heart. Steadfast Scarlett would later do everything she could to mend it. But when Malone's destiny crossed paths with Ethan Cantrell, a shadowy operative with the Central Intelligence Agency, his life was set on a course complete with murder and machination, back alleys and boardrooms, cupidity and corruption. The family saga evolves into a topical thriller in which Malone must endure the witchhunts of those bent on his destruction. From the vicious attacks initiated by billionaire Ellison Green and his politically ambitious, empty-headed son Stanford, to the inquisitions launched by the FBI and bleeding-heart crusaders to bring him down, he must battle to survive long enough to set in surprising motion one last redemptive act of decency. David Branon, a Harvard magna cum laude graduate, was the chief executive officer of a very successful business that was ultimately folded into a worldwide sporting goods conglomerate. He became chairman of that entity's multi-million dollar Americas operation before strapping on an early parachute to pursue the passion of words rather than the sterility of numbers, however lucrative the latter may have been. He lives with his wife in Greenville, South Carolina. "A chilling and timely look at the genealogy of power. A fearsome self-autopsy. Corporate greed feasting on the vulnerability of the weak. Passionate love lost, committed love gained. As American history concise and compact. As novel compelling. As literature just open to any page. A gritty, relentless read. Humor. Insight. A tremendous talent." --Bill Branon, author of Let Us Prey, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year
The Curmudgeon Tree David R Branon 9781457511646 Books
"I loved THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE. It is the story of one Lassiter Malone and his family lineage. It starts out as a multi-generational story of an Irish immigrant and his ancestors' succeeding generations, their successes and failures starting with the arrival in Boston fleeing the Potato Famine. His family is a colorful mixture of hard-working and honest, as well as scurrilous, types. It is written from the point of view of Lassiter who is a Vietnam soldier turned CIA spook who becomes a father and a quite successful businessman. Lassiter has a biting sense of humor and is callously insightful regarding eras in US history, politics inside the Beltway and in business and military affairs. Often cynical and critically observant at the same time, the book goes from family history to become a story of intrigue in the government and the business of government, with a touch of murder and corruption thrown in for good measure. Lassiter tells it like it is and how he sees it, verbally slamming a prominent US Senator in a hearing in ways we only wish we could see in television sound bites or on CSPAN. Two of my favorite passages were: `With the exception of time, I tried to give (my wife) everything she ever wanted, and she gave me three children, two of whom I liked.' At another point he's talking about a woman, a character in the book who `. . .pursued her master's degree at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, an institution named in honor of the man whose brains pretty much ruined any chance Dallas dry cleaners had in restoring his wife's pink designer outfit to its original fashionable condition.' This is recommended."Product details
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The Curmudgeon Tree David R Branon 9781457511646 Books Reviews
Penned by a consummate wordsmith, THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE is a fantastic read from cover to cover. With great skill, the historical timeline is inserted into the Malone family saga, weaving it into the fabric of life, love, tragedy and suspense that makes this book a true page-turner. The novel is DeMille-on-steroids, addictive and flavored with sardonic wit and convincing plot lines. Loved it!
While reading this terrific story, you will be motivated to race to the end to learn the whodunit of the murder mystery and the outcome of the fascinating main character. However, do not succumb to this temptation. This book is the work of a writer who loves and is the master of the English language. Whether condensing sections of history to their fundamental truths, exposing the less savory components of American politics and government activities, describing the love of a man for a woman, or expressing philosophical metaphors that nail the condition of being human, you will admire his prose. David's writing is alternately witty, poignant, scathing, and always entertaining. Enjoy this literary ride.
Following several short chapters which set the stage and briefly report on the lives of Lassiter Malone's ancestors beginning with the first of his clan to arrive in the United States seeking to escape the Irish potato famine and ending with his father and the career his father built in Louisiana, the novel quickly moves into high gear. The Curmudgeon's Tree is an exciting chronicle of the life of a man who has mastered techniques necessary to "game the system." The numerous locales and historical events woven into the story have apparently been well researched. The author is clearly quite a storyteller. He has created a real "page turner" with his first novel. It is a fun read no matter how one views Lassiter Malone -- hero, villain or shall we just say the principal character and a memorable one at that.
The Curmudgeon's Tree is a fast paced novel of intrigue, greed, lust for power, and cynicism that is interspersed with fascinating glimpses into a diverse assortment of well described times and places. The author's gift for the turn of a phrase, knack for unexpected twists in the plot and sense of humor are extremely impressive. If you miss the days when Ian Fleming turned out page turners that were hard to put down this novel is for you. A word of caution-- there is insensitivity in the blunt descriptions of tragic events of our history as well as caustic commentary inconsistent with today's culture of political correctness. I shudder at the suggestion that the author, a successful businessman, indulged to some degree in autobiography. I hope, for his sake, that he has not secretly or otherwise morphed into the personna of the lonely, yet exceedingly clever, atheist around whom the yarn is spun.
This is a wonderful yarn exquisitely crafted. It includes many intriguing characters, but Malone is in a class by himself. The Curmudgeon's Tree would have been a fabulous TV miniseries. I loved it!
Pete Hart
From the dark days of the Irish potato famine to our complex and uncertain times, Mr. Branon's splendid tale spans generations of the remarkable Malone family. He does it in a way that makes me happy that I am not a speed reader. Historically accurate and enlightening with his fictional characters carefully woven in, every sentence is a pure delight. This would make a great Christmas present.
THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE is an excellent book with all the elements - love, tragedy, espionage, murder, suspense- that make for an outstanding read. The author has an innate ability with words and a true gift for storytelling. The story is fast-paced with something intriguing on almost every page that keeps the reader engrossed and anxious to see what happens next. I stayed up well past my bed time many nights reading this book. Woven into the story are many significant historical events in American history that are told from a unique perspective. Readers of James Michener, Ken Follett, and Vince Flynn will enjoy THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE.
"I loved THE CURMUDGEON'S TREE. It is the story of one Lassiter Malone and his family lineage. It starts out as a multi-generational story of an Irish immigrant and his ancestors' succeeding generations, their successes and failures starting with the arrival in Boston fleeing the Potato Famine. His family is a colorful mixture of hard-working and honest, as well as scurrilous, types. It is written from the point of view of Lassiter who is a Vietnam soldier turned CIA spook who becomes a father and a quite successful businessman. Lassiter has a biting sense of humor and is callously insightful regarding eras in US history, politics inside the Beltway and in business and military affairs. Often cynical and critically observant at the same time, the book goes from family history to become a story of intrigue in the government and the business of government, with a touch of murder and corruption thrown in for good measure. Lassiter tells it like it is and how he sees it, verbally slamming a prominent US Senator in a hearing in ways we only wish we could see in television sound bites or on CSPAN. Two of my favorite passages were `With the exception of time, I tried to give (my wife) everything she ever wanted, and she gave me three children, two of whom I liked.' At another point he's talking about a woman, a character in the book who `. . .pursued her master's degree at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, an institution named in honor of the man whose brains pretty much ruined any chance Dallas dry cleaners had in restoring his wife's pink designer outfit to its original fashionable condition.' This is recommended."
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