REVIEWS
The Library Journal
Lindsay (Battlementals) never thought about how different he looked from his siblings, who occasionally teased that he was "the milkman's son"-but they all loved one other, and isn't that what siblings do? At age 57, Randy was tasked with a genealogy project by his dad. After running into several dead ends, he decides that a DNA test might help him discover more family roots. Instead, he finds out that the man he knows to be his dad is not in fact his biological father. When his half-siblings locate and contact him through the DNA database, he finds more love than he ever expected. The story takes readers on many ups and downs, and ultimately has a happy ending. Lindsay is a gifted author, and he also writes carefully about unresolved issues in his mother's story. (An author's note explains her situation.) VERDICT Recommended for fans of family memoirs, and especially for readers with an interest in genealogy.-Library Journal
Lindsay (Battlementals) never thought about how different he looked from his siblings, who occasionally teased that he was "the milkman's son"-but they all loved one other, and isn't that what siblings do? At age 57, Randy was tasked with a genealogy project by his dad. After running into several dead ends, he decides that a DNA test might help him discover more family roots. Instead, he finds out that the man he knows to be his dad is not in fact his biological father. When his half-siblings locate and contact him through the DNA database, he finds more love than he ever expected. The story takes readers on many ups and downs, and ultimately has a happy ending. Lindsay is a gifted author, and he also writes carefully about unresolved issues in his mother's story. (An author's note explains her situation.) VERDICT Recommended for fans of family memoirs, and especially for readers with an interest in genealogy.-Library Journal
Booklist
Lindsay’s memoir is truly a work of our times in the way it shows how internet ancestry sites and
crowd-sourced research come together with readily accessible DNA kits to help us know who we
are and where we come from. But all this new information can mean that people find out startlingthings about themselves or their families, as when Lindsay discovers that the man he grew up thinking of as his father is not biologically related. Lindsay focuses not on explaining the how or why of this, but rather on exploring identity and family, nature versus nurture, and the meaning of love and belonging. He emphasizes his good fortune in having two supportive families. His writing style ranges from chatty to reportorial, while his openness in sharing his doubts and uncertainties, as he navigates his way through old and new relationships in Arizona and New Jersey, makes for compelling reading. While it would have been nice to have more answers, it is possible to admire the author’s choice to explore themes of paternal love and engagement instead of treating other lives as puzzles to be solved.
Lindsay’s memoir is truly a work of our times in the way it shows how internet ancestry sites and
crowd-sourced research come together with readily accessible DNA kits to help us know who we
are and where we come from. But all this new information can mean that people find out startlingthings about themselves or their families, as when Lindsay discovers that the man he grew up thinking of as his father is not biologically related. Lindsay focuses not on explaining the how or why of this, but rather on exploring identity and family, nature versus nurture, and the meaning of love and belonging. He emphasizes his good fortune in having two supportive families. His writing style ranges from chatty to reportorial, while his openness in sharing his doubts and uncertainties, as he navigates his way through old and new relationships in Arizona and New Jersey, makes for compelling reading. While it would have been nice to have more answers, it is possible to admire the author’s choice to explore themes of paternal love and engagement instead of treating other lives as puzzles to be solved.
Rachelle Christiansen Review
I was intrigued by this title and decided to depart from my regular reading fare to try out this new memoir. I’m glad I did. Randy Lindsay weaves an interesting and sometimes shocking story of how he discovered that he was indeed the milkman’s son, in a manner of speaking.
It was incredible to read and learn about how many people can be connected by a simple DNA test. Randy describes his efforts in family history research with a zeal that is fun to witness. It was definitely exciting to learn how his hard work paid off in a life-changing event that led him to family he never knew before.
A great story for the curious, for those who love family history, and to look at the world just a little differently than before.
I was intrigued by this title and decided to depart from my regular reading fare to try out this new memoir. I’m glad I did. Randy Lindsay weaves an interesting and sometimes shocking story of how he discovered that he was indeed the milkman’s son, in a manner of speaking.
It was incredible to read and learn about how many people can be connected by a simple DNA test. Randy describes his efforts in family history research with a zeal that is fun to witness. It was definitely exciting to learn how his hard work paid off in a life-changing event that led him to family he never knew before.
A great story for the curious, for those who love family history, and to look at the world just a little differently than before.
Becky’s Book Review
My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I found it a captivating story. In part because he is a good writer and knows how to tell a story. I've read other "DNA mystery" books where family secrets are spilled and lives are changed. This is the best I've read so far. The other book I read felt like it should have been about ten pages--no more. This one wasn't like that at all. It was actually a good read. I loved his developing interest in genealogy. I could definitely relate to his DILEMMA: "I struggle with the decision of whether I should go to bed or check one more name." And I smirked here, " I finally connect the Lindsays to a royal line and it happens to be one that includes an infamous villain in popular fiction. Does that mean the next time I watch a Robin Hood movie I need to root for the bad guy? That isn’t any fun. I already know he’s going to lose. And it will make me look like an idiot if I sit there during the movie and chant, “King John. King John. Go-o-o-o-o Lackland.”
My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I found it a captivating story. In part because he is a good writer and knows how to tell a story. I've read other "DNA mystery" books where family secrets are spilled and lives are changed. This is the best I've read so far. The other book I read felt like it should have been about ten pages--no more. This one wasn't like that at all. It was actually a good read. I loved his developing interest in genealogy. I could definitely relate to his DILEMMA: "I struggle with the decision of whether I should go to bed or check one more name." And I smirked here, " I finally connect the Lindsays to a royal line and it happens to be one that includes an infamous villain in popular fiction. Does that mean the next time I watch a Robin Hood movie I need to root for the bad guy? That isn’t any fun. I already know he’s going to lose. And it will make me look like an idiot if I sit there during the movie and chant, “King John. King John. Go-o-o-o-o Lackland.”
