Letters to Zerky: A Father’s Legacy to a Lost Son . . . and a Road Trip Around the World

Bill Raney and JoAnne Walker Raney
Nickelodeon Press (2009)
ISBN 9780982138403
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (02/10)

 

“Letters to Zerky” is a beautiful tribute written by a father to his son. The book is dedicated to honor memories of his young son, Zerky, alive and full of promise one minute – gone the next.

The collection of letters written to Zerky was actually written over forty years prior to publication. Four years ago Raney rediscovered the letters in the back of a file cabinet. He explains it this way. “In April 1967, we flew from San Francisco to Munich, where we picked up a shiny new Volkswagen bus. What a shame our ten-month-old son would have no memory of his great adventure. Thus was born the idea of a series of letters to Zerky, letters for him to enjoy someday when he was old enough to wonder about all the places he’d been and the things he had seen.” Now that he shares them with you, the reader, in hopes that your enjoyment will give the letters a new purpose and to keep the memory of Zerky alive.

These adventures took Zerky and his parents Bill and JoAnne Raney on a 13-month road trip around the world.  Zerky’s winning smile and sociable nature became Bill and JoAnne’s window of opportunity for creating good-will and winning friends throughout the world, in spite of cultural differences, language barriers, and religious prejudices.

The combined gifts of the Raney’s eloquent word pictures, detailed descriptions, magnificent photography, global curiosity, and human interest stories give the book the flavor, anticipation, and excitement of world travel, as well as the drama and intrigue of a political thriller. However, the reality and warmth of the Raney’s genuine enjoyment of life, their honesty and openness in expressing their opinions, preferences and experiences blend to move the story from sheer entertainment to the heartfelt interaction that accompanies a well-written personal memoir.

I personally was drawn to them as they wrote of their genuine respect and love for one another, the deep affection and dedication they felt for their son Zerky, and the open pleasure and appreciation expressed for the individuals they met along the way.

A balance of a stimulating narrative, informative world views, detailed maps, and illustrative photography quickly move the reader from chapter to chapter, and country to country, from Afghanistan to Turkey, and all points between, throughout the pages of the book.

“Letters to Zerky” is a truly remarkable accomplishment, excelling in travel reporting, escape through adventure and drama, and a heartwarming memoir. It is beautifully written, a captivating narrative, storytelling at its best! 

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