No Walk in the Park tells the story of a young writer stumbling up the ladder of newspapers as a functional alcoholic. Growing up in the 1960s and '70s, there was no faith or religion. Work on a Colorado mountain town weekly found success, including multiple awards. Personal life was another story as the first marriage collapsed. Drinking increased, up to and including a DUI, resulting in a short period of sobriety. A second marriage and a move to daily newspapers followed the same pattern, ending with another divorce. A third wife and a move to California helped for a while, then didn't. The fourth wife was there when 9/11 hit, with an aftermath of a party and another arrest. A jail miracle takes away the compulsion to drink and the basis of faith. The rest of the story chronicles growing faith and recovery, the rise and fall of a community newspaper, the newspaper industry and a life of service. Told with searing honesty and self-deprecating humor, the book is a compelling page-turner.

Autorentext

Harry Saltzgaver has been a journalist for 45 years in Colorado and California. He has won multiple state and national awards for writing and photography. He has published two books-a biography of Long Beach's three-term mayor, "Passionately Positive: The Beverly O'Neill Story;" and "20 Years of Salt in a 10-Pound Bag," a compilation of the first 20 years of his signature column, A Pinch of Salt. The column still appears each week in Long Beach's weekly and daily newspapers. Saltzgaver has lived a life of service in Long Beach, sitting on multiple boards for public and nonprofit agencies, currently including the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center and five other boards. He is active in his church, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach. He lives in North Long Beach with his wife, Maria, and two big dogs.