Reviews on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars It's the kind of book you'll want to read twice.
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2022
First of all... Ralph is definitely a most amazing human being. You should read this book!! The situations he endured in his childhood strengthened him beyond normal limits. This young man was able to handle things that would have left a typical person broken and unable to function.
I was so impressed by everything Ralph overcame. His stories of being rebellious before his enlistment were surprising, yet showed the reader how very strong, confident, and independant he had become. While in the military, being so fearless was Ralph's secret weapon. He boldly did things most young men would have actively avoided. And, he accomplished so much because he was such a strong guy. The details of his service to our country were so intriguing that I had to read the book a second time to absorb it. Ralph was a hero in so many ways (even though he would likely argue against the title).
The story of his entry into the corporate world was fascinating. So many bumps along the way, but Ralph's potential was easy to spot. And, with Ralph's perseverance it is easy to see how he climbed the corporate ladder - always a possibility-thinker and working so hard and with his eye on the goal. This story is inspiring and you'll be glad you read it... maybe even twice.Amazon Customer
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
Just A Farm Kid sure doesn’t feel like a book. It feels like one of those late-night conversations with your best friend, where you share things you thought you never could. Stories about things that scarred you, things that shaped you, things that saved you, things you were afraid to even hope for.
This conversation is filled with terrible and sad and funny and exasperating vignettes from Ralph’s life that make you want to hug him, and shake him, and put him in your pocket to protect, even while shining a giant spotlight on this man. This man who clawed his way to success after amazing success, even coming from terrible circumstances, even after being repeatedly slapped down, because he kept getting up and going back to doing his best after every hit. This man who took every slap down and every derisive comment as a challenge instead. A challenge to do better, be better, and to make the team surrounding and supporting him better. Who the heck does this? Who is this strong?
Ralph bares his soul here. Such vulnerability is rare and precious and infinitely difficult, so treat him with respect. And please, please allow his conversation with you to inspire you to be the person who gets back up the next time you’re slapped down.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
Ralph thank you so much for sharing your life story. What an honor to know someone so special and caring. Even at my "old age" I learned so much from your thoughts and experience and true love of those around you! Enjoy your retirement and know what an example you have been yo so many!
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
Brilliant book. Interesting how awfully some people can treat an individual child and interesting how the best of them can survive that fine. And also interesting how the aviation maintenance world works and the corporate world too.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
Absolutely loved reading about all the different lives Ralph has lived! His positivity is contagious as you read the pages of this book. Highly recommend!!
Outstanding! Throughly enlightening!
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2022
Verified Purchase I've learned so much about Ralph's life to which I always wondered.... What a read!!!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
What an inspiring and uplifting book. It clearly shows that regardless of the obstacles you encounter in life there's always a way to overcome them. Thank you Ralph for being so open and honest in your book. I hope everyone who reads it is as inspired as I was.
5.0 out of 5 stars Just a Farm Kid
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2022
I recommend everyone who had, has, a challenging life, young or old, to read this book! Ralph is an example of love, forgiveness, and kindness that most of us will never achieve. He's an inspiration to all of us who love him!