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Much Props - Harold Nash
Much Props
Harold Nash
ISBN: 9781439224458
BookSurge
Reviewed By Wendy Paulson
Official Apex Reviews
Rating: 
In Much Props, Harold Nash
returns to the literary stage with an insightful collection of poems and short
stories designed to pay homage to figures - both well-known and not so
well-known - who have made positive impacts on the world and people around
them. In laconic, yet powerful fashion, Nash highlights the essence of what
makes a hero truly heroic by focusing more on the significance of the act and
less on the name or status of the one who commits it.
In the two short stories
of the collection, “The Spirit of an Ox” and “Harry and Hulio,” Nash pays
tribute to a pair of brave souls who refuse to allow the tentacles of injustice
to spread around them. In “Ox,” an unassuming fifth-grader named Scott
gallantly defends a young innocent from the unchecked aggression of class
bullies, and in “Harry,” the eponymous protagonist refuses to back down from
any nefarious challenge - even if it means placing his own life at risk. Both
stories do an effective job of displaying the benefits of selfless sacrifice,
particularly when such sacrifice is made without the motivation of personal
gain.
Of course, being the
seasoned poet that he is, Nash also treats the reader to a host of inspired
verse, saluting the contributions of a range of heroes worthy of poetic praise.
In “He Came Like Fire,” he honors the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., for his
sustained efforts in the field of civil rights, as captured in this passage:
“He laid it down so damn
thick. He told the Klan that they were sick.
He shook the world with
his remarks - then stood up for Rosa Parks. He fought for justice and for
peace.
Heavy things he spoke and
wrote. The laws did change so blacks could vote.”
And in “An Ancient Chinese
Secret,” Nash pays special homage to a former teacher of his for inspiring him
to take up the craft of writing. He makes a strong effort to point out that,
were it not for her guidance and encouragement, his writing dreams would never
have seen the light of day.
Heroes surround us every
day - and not all of them save people from burning buildings or resuscitate
dying patients. In fact, the vast majority of them do nothing more than offer a
soothing gesture or lend a kind word of encouragement - and despite the
apparently insignificant nature of such an act, it often does more to boost us
than any amount of money or special influence ever could. In Much Props, Harold
Nash puts the reality of this concept on full display, and readers worldwide
are sure to be both enlightened and empowered as a result.
Click Here To Learn More About Much Props
AR: Thanks again, Harold, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Official Apex Reviews
Interview: Harold Nash (Much Props)
Apex Reviews: Harold, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your collection.
Where did you get the inspiration to put together a poetry collection saluting the various heroes that surround us every day?
Apex Reviews: Harold, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your collection.
Where did you get the inspiration to put together a poetry collection saluting the various heroes that surround us every day?
Harold Nash: Mavericks have always been
the most interesting people to me, so I figured it was about time
for me to write a book paying tribute to these kinds of people.
AR: Are Scott and Harry, the protagonists of the short stories in the collection, based on real people that you know?
AR: Are Scott and Harry, the protagonists of the short stories in the collection, based on real people that you know?
HN: Absolutely, Scott and Harry were very
real, and they both gave me experiences that will stay with me forever.
AR: Are the stories based on experiences that you've had?
AR: Are the stories based on experiences that you've had?
HN: Yes, and in both of these
stories I felt trapped; nevertheless, I learned that even in the most unusual
and unpleasant situations, there is always a bridge of hope to help you
get through troubled waters.
AR: What was it about your former English teacher's influence that prompted you to pursue your writing career?
AR: What was it about your former English teacher's influence that prompted you to pursue your writing career?
HN: Miss McFarland was so upset with me when I
selected Speech Communications as a major rather than journalism, so I
made a vow to her that I would never give up writing.
AR: Your personal connection to God plays a prominent role in many of your poems. Please share more with us about the significance of your spiritual faith.
AR: Your personal connection to God plays a prominent role in many of your poems. Please share more with us about the significance of your spiritual faith.
HN:
My
poetry revolves around righteousness and spirituality. It's a good
thing that
you asked me that question because my spiritual interest recently led
me to
discover two very astonishing books, both of which are actually
origins of the Bible. The first one is called "The Book Of Enoch,"
and the second book is called "The Dead Sea Scrolls."
AR: You are certainly not afraid of invoking controversy in your writings, which is displayed perfectly in the piece entitled "My Prayer." What in particular inspired you to craft that poem?
AR: You are certainly not afraid of invoking controversy in your writings, which is displayed perfectly in the piece entitled "My Prayer." What in particular inspired you to craft that poem?
HN: The polar opposites in this world,
and the clashes and tension that engenders from them.
AR: You're becoming quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about the other books that you've written.
AR: You're becoming quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about the other books that you've written.
HN: My Autobiography is about a gang
leader who had targeted me to be his next victim of violence because I
unknowingly pursued his girlfriend. He was then asked by a friend of mine, who
also knew him well, to scratch me off his hit list, and he did. Subsequently,
a few of his boys inadvertently jumped me anyway. I then began boxing for a
local gym. Five months later, I won a local Golden Gloves championship. Most of
the guys in this gang ended up dead or doing a lot of time in the
penitentiary.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
HN: Futuristically, I intend to
publish a local newspaper in Seattle.
This newspaper will revolve around the lifestyles of beautiful women with
Asian, Italian, and Eastern African descent.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your writing efforts?
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your writing efforts?
HN: Readers can find out more about me by going to www.authorsden.com
AR: How can they contact you directly?
AR: How can they contact you directly?
HN: I really want to thank Miss Wendy
Paulson for her expertise and very thorough interview, and I want to
give a very special thanks to you, Miss Genevieve Wilson.
AR: Thanks again, Harold, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
HN: Likewise, and thanks for having me again.