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Reviews of
JAMES RADA, JR.
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"This is a very good, and very easy to read, novel about a famous, yet unknown, bit of
20th Century American history. While reading this book, in your mind, replace all
mentions of 'Spanish Flu' with 'bird flu.' Hmmm....." -- Dead Trees Review
"The book is an enjoyable, clean read, with characters young and old for a broad-based
appeal to both teens and adults. 'Between Rail and River' also provides a unique, regional
appeal, as it teaches about a particular group of people, ordinary working canawlers in a
story that goes beyond the usual coverage of life during the Civil War." -- Historical
Fiction Review
October Mourning
Between Rail and River
"'Between Rail and River' arrived yesterday--finished it today. Couldn't put it down. Great
job! ... I enjoyed it thoroughly and am looking forward to the next installment."
-- Gary Petrichick, author of 'Pocket Guide to the Civil War on the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal'
"The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal comes alive again in a new novel by James Rada."
-- Cumberland Times News
Between Rail and River
"'The Rain Man' is a mystery thriller that races from the first raindrops that began the
flooding to its dangerous climax in Wills Creek as it became a raging torrent." -- The
Cumberland Times-News
"With a brutal murder in the very first chapter, 'The Rain Man' starts out with a bang
and engages the reader with its fast-moving plot." -- Beyond 50
Canawlers
"In all, the book is an uplifting example of real people facing real problems, but surviving
and showing that good will triumph even in the worst of circumstances. ... The books leaves
some threads open-ended enough to make me think that a sequel may show up in the
future, especially given the short time period 'Canawlers' covers. If so, I'll be sure to read it
and would encourage anyone with historical interest to pick up this book or one of Mr.
Rada's other works." -- BooksUnderReview.com
"James Rada, of Cumberland, has written a historical novel for high-schoolers and adults,
which relates the adventures, hardships and ultimate tragedy of a family of boaters on the
C&O Canal... The tale moves quickly and should hold the attention of readers looking for
an imaginative adventure set on the canal at a critical time in history." -- Along the Towpath
"A powerful, thoughtful and fascinating historical novel, Canawlers documents author James
Rada, Jr. as a writer of considerable and deftly expressed storytelling talent." -- Midwest
Book Review
"Come 'canawling' with the Fitzgeralds and experience the joys and dangers of life on the
C&O Canal. You'll almost hear the horn blowing as they approach another lock." -- The
Potomac Review
"As attention is being focused on the avian flu beginning to spread throughout the world,
more and more people are remembering the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, which killed
an estimated 50 million people. October Mourning, the newest historical novel by
award-winning writer James Rada, details how Allegany County dealt with the epidemic
and captures the horror and fear that gripped residents at that time." -- Cumberland
Times-News