A year ago the book that had been on the shelf of my mind for forty years asked to be written.

I was embroiled in the research for an upcoming book at the time, but when something monumental surfaces—like a large trout surface-feeding in a smooth pool—it is best to take notice.

Over Christmas of 2019, I contemplated the words forming in my mind, and in the solitude of the holiday’s nights, I determined to approach my keyboard once the New Year transpired. For three weeks in January, this is what I did.

The result is Swagger: Keeping Your Wits When Others Are Not.

I’ve never written a book like Swagger. In all candor though, apart from the “No Mercy” series and the “Grace in Ungracious Places” trilogy, all my books are different—different genres, thoughts, approaches—which drives marketing minds nuts, but which is reflective of the music in my mind and heart.

When I look into my heart to write, I hear a symphony versus a solo. So, a symphony is what you get when I write and you read—which is tough to tolerate if you are hoping to hear a piano solo. But, long ago I determined that if I was going to write, I was going to write honestly, transparently, and efficiently, making every word work as hard as the other words on the page.  

Swagger is a collection of essays on important subjects. The lacing that holds the book together is that each chapter relates to life, thought, and belief. I didn’t write to inform you, per se, or convince you necessarily; rather, I wrote to demonstrate life, thought, and belief and how each unfolds, forms, and coaches so you can follow suit as suits you.

Someone asked the other day which chapter is my favorite. The question stumped me… but one of the things I love about Swagger is that the people who influenced me are the people I reference in the book trusting that they will influence you. I lose my breath every time I read the footnote on page 80 regarding Thomas Aquinas’ proofs of God. I determined that a chapter would not do the man justice. But a footnote? Yes, a footnote more properly showcases this man’s thought, life, and belief.

When I pick up Swagger to hold it, I often turn to page 80, read the footnote, place the book back on the shelf, and turn away to ponder these words from a great man. One of these days, I will discover whether the intonation of his true voice matches the lilt I hear in my head.

In other words, in Swagger I pass along the themes and people who play the symphony in my head. My hope is that you hear the music as you read and find that your heart dances, waltzes, and pulses to the rhythms that form our lives, faith, and beliefs.

I would love for you to purchase Swagger and read it. I would love it even more if you would purchase Swagger as gifts for the young adults and older in your family. However…

I must say, Swagger is not light reading. Every word works hard so each word is important. But it’s not complex either.

Rather, Swagger is courageous reading. Upon concluding the final page, my hope is that my reader will be confident, composed, and courageous—that my reader will possess the grit to step into the darkening world with the attitude displayed by Gandalf facing the Balrog and declare to darkness, “You shall not pass!”

Take care, and like the subtitle of Swagger exhorts, keep your wits about you.