My Search for Jazzbo Jones will be released June 4. It is currently available for pre-order at Amazon and other booksellers around the world. For one month the paperback is temporarily discounted 20 percent. While I love the feel of a physical book to have and to hold, if you’re comfortable with ebooks, I recommend the Kindle version because most of the photographs are in living color and can be enlarged onscreen. The printed versions, all black-and-white, are still a good read. (Or what the heck— order both!) The hardback edition and an audiobook are in process.
This book has many themes, including what it takes to solve mysteries about a lost friend. There are plenty of other moments from my life, before and after high school, both hilarious and dead-serious, along with details of their historical and cultural backdrop. After reading, you will know such things as:  how adolescents at boarding school viewed the Cuban Missile Crisis; why Girl Scouts are not welcome at Selective Service physicals; how to test the aerobatic characteristics of Ferris wheels; and why driving a 1948 Plymouth prematurely ended my flying career. There’s also the uncensored citation accompanying my medal for heroic armed action in subarctic Alaska that the Defense Department forgot to deliver.
The subtitle, A Real-life Memoir Adventure, refers to the revealing experience of memoir-writing as I reviewed my own life while searching for answers about how my best college friend lost his sight. Here’s the public description:
Written as a tribute to the unusual, older student he befriended in college, this “real-life memoir adventure†retraces the author’s life as he searches for clues about the horrific crash that blinded his friend many years before they met.
The story weaves keen observation, nostalgia, and humor in its portrayal of Jim Beeson, a colorfully complex character from small-town Kansas who overcame adversity and loss to become an outspoken advocate for the blind in Houston. Even though Beeson and Hirsh differed in age, background, and education, Beeson’s outgoing personality and unlikely mentorship had a lifelong positive impact beyond simply teaching the author about mechanics when they overhauled a 1954 Ford.
Touching on issues of blindness and resilience in the face of tragedy, My Search for Jazzbo Jones includes vivid recollections of personal history and the JFK assassination, civil rights, the Vietnam draft, and even an encounter with Cuba’s Che Guevara. After more than a decade of online detective work, Hirsh ultimately delivers far more raw facts than he ever expected about that fiery wreck on a Wichita racetrack.
The book will be released June 4 by Atmosphere Press. It is available for pre-order now.
Early Reviews
“Ethan Hirsh has given us a soulfully rich and vivid memoir… inspirational and beautifully written, capturing the essence of a deep friendship and the exhaustive search to find answers.†– Dr. David W. Carter, author of Mayday Over WichitaÂ
“Author Ethan Hirsh has crafted an immersive journey through the complexities of friendship, resilience, and the quest for truth… This loving tribute to Jim Beeson resonates deeply as he navigates layers of memory, history, and personal reflection with a great command, weaving the stories together to form a bigger picture of this unique personality. The vivid descriptions of Beeson’s life and the author’s own experiences offered a poignant exploration of overcoming adversity and finding purpose, showing readers how they too can take inspiration from the lives and strengths of others. …. Overall, My Search for Jazzbo Jones is a highly recommended read for fans of biographical writing that celebrates triumph over adversity and unique lives that are lived to the full.†– K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite
“Throughout the memoir, Hirsh’s writing is infused with warmth, humor, and authenticity. His deep respect and admiration for Jim Beeson shine through, making My Search for Jazzbo Jones a salutary tribute to a remarkable friend and a celebration of the power of friendship. …. Rich storytelling, vivid imagery, and heartfelt reflections permeate Ethan Hirsh’s memoir. Through his experiences and observations, Hirsh paints a detailed portrait of his friend Jim Beeson and their unique relationship. …. From poignant moments of introspection to lighthearted anecdotes about their adventures together, the narrative is as multifaceted as the characters themselves.†– Daniel Rhodes, The Book Commentary
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