The word “novel” used as a noun is first defined by Merriam-Webster as, “an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.”  So the first three words of that definition tell me that a non-fiction narrative that is long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a connected sequence of events should not be considered a novel.  Precisely the reason I have been saying that Wendell Arnold’s book “is like a novel.”

You see, by definition I can not call it a novel because it is true stuff and not made up.  But only that fact makes it not a novel.  If you didn’t know that FROM THE COTTON PATCH TO Ph.D., GOD’S MANAGEMENT OF MAN THROUGH THE EYES OF A SCIENTIST by Dr. Wendell R. Arnold was an autobiography, I would bet that you would think it was a great novel.  This is not just a story about Dr. Arnold’s life.  This is a story with characters and plots and circumstances and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Being both mine and Wendell’s first time doing this, I must have edited the manuscript ten times and I tell you, every single time I was amazed at how engrossed I became in the storyline.  One time I even stopped and said to my dog, “This is crazy!  How can I get so choked up when I’ve read this, how many times?”  He just looked at me like, “Yep, you’re crazy.”

It is not just an autobiography, it is a story.  A story about a little boy growing up picking cotton in Oklahoma.  We get to know this little boy and his family, and feel his feelings when his music teacher singles him out in the second grade.  The little boy grows up, goes to high school when he doesn’t have to pick cotton and figures out how to get through college taking a bride with him, his high school sweetheart.  When they announce to her parents their intent of marriage, her father says to him, “Son, you can’t even afford her shoes.”  Well Wendell relied on faith and eventually provided as many shoes as Carolyn wanted.

The couple recently celebrated 52 years of marriage and Wendell shares a few of their adventures with us.  Some are funny, some sad, some shocking and a few that are pretty scary.  You can read all about it in Wendell Arnold’s book, FROM THE COTTON PATCH TO Ph.D., GOD’S MANAGEMENT OF MAN THROUGH THE EYES OF A SCIENTIST, and you can get your signed copy at wendellarnold.com.  Also available at xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and on the kindle, nook and google e-book.  Telephone orders may be placed by calling (866) 909-BOOK (2665).  But the only place you can order a signed copy is wendellarnold.com, where you can pay using your credit card, PayPal or mail us a check.  LOCALS TO LOX ONLY – You may choose the options for COD and local pickup if you would like me to bring you a book.  Thanks!

CLICK HERE TO READ CHAPTER ONE