~All the Livelong Day chronicles the November 25, 1951, train wreck in Woodstock, Alabama, that killed 17 people. But this book is more than an account of that event. It is the story of Neil's father, Robert, who was fireman aboard Train Second 47 that collided with Train 48 that fateful day.

Details are precise and accurate, as Neil has done his research. But what makes this a piece of art is the cast of characters. This is a man's world, but women who inhabit it are exquisitely drawn, especially Gerry, Robert's wife. Anatomy of their marriage draws the reader in and we witness what happens to them, before and after the accident, through alternating points of view. 

There is also a rich sense of time and place. Neil holds a degree in Forest Management and eloquently describes land and flora of his native South. He also masterfully captures music, manners, language, history, and culture of post-World War II America.

Neil's first book, Serenader, was a brave and honest father-daughter story. He expands his range as a writer with All the Livelong Day. The pace, tone, drama, and redemptive arc are realized. 

This book is ultimately about the resilience of the human spirit. It will appeal to those who love trains and railway history. But the audience will also include those who like to read creative nonfiction at its very best~ Vicki Covington, a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, is the author of five novels and two books of nonfiction. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker~

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Arboretum Publishing Company USA