Bringing Jon Home: A National and Regional Award Winning, Inspirational, Memoir about the life, loss and legacy of Jon Francis.
Book Site: http://www.bringingjonhome.com
- Awarded National Finalist, in the memoir category, by The National Indie Excellence Awards.
- Bringing Jon Home was awarded Silver Finalist, in 2011, for inspirational writing by the Midwest Publisher’s Association.
Praise for Bringing Jon Home--The Wilderness Search for Jon Francis
Foreword by Patty Wetterling:
“I was devastated when I heard Jon was missing. I knew a lot about missing children, the response needed, how to work with law enforcement, how to engage the media. These things I had learned through Jacob’s kidnapping and working with so many…way too many other searching families. But Jon’s disappearance was different. As much as I wanted to help, I knew little about finding a missing adult on a mountain.
This is an amazing story of love and commitment honoring the promise that we make to our children — ‘I’ll always be here for you.’ David captures brilliantly the many stages of the search, of their grief and of their process of remembering. I wish I had met Jon. This book allows me to meet him and live my life a little deeper because of knowing him. Thank you David”
— Patty Wetterling, Children’s Safety Advocate, Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
“A Riveting Read” – Mary Ann Grossmann, Book Review, St. Paul Pioneer Press.
“An Excellent, Compelling Story. Every parent should read…especially fathers.” –Midwest Publisher’s Association.
"Bringing Jon Home--a real page-turner, David, you've done a remarkable thing for Jon's legacy by not only capturing his giving, involved life, but offering his story as inspiration for other families...” — Kevin Giles, Writer, Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“Bringing Jon Home tells the story of a great young man, a son, a brother and a friend who was taken from us at the very moment he was poised to do so much good; a true tragedy in the classic sense of the word. At a time in which the public good can be short-sighted (at best), this story is a testament to the altruism that lives in all of those unofficials who moved heaven and earth.” — Cary Griffith, author of Lost in the Wild
“A father turns the tragedy of losing a loving son on a far-away mountaintop into a story of family, friends, strangers, communities all coming together to search and, ultimately, to embrace each other. This book becomes a reminder that none of us knows what tomorrow brings. But it also reminds us to appreciate the basic goodness around us – and to never forget to hug our kids.” —Doug Grow, writer, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Bringing Jon Home is a powerful story about loss, unconditional love and human resilience inside one American family." — Chuck Logan, author of Absolute Zero
“Thank you for sending me your extraordinary book. It is surely a beautifully written account of incredible strength and devotion…. I began reading it at once and could not put it down until finished. With my thanks and admiration.” –Margie, Member of Ascension Episcopal Church, Stillwater, Minnesota
“I just finished your book. I thank you for rearranging my priorities, growing my faith, and influencing my world! Praise God for the life of Jon, an incredible human being… He gave true meaning to love, laughter, dancing, running, climbing, etc., etc.!!! Peace." ---Susan, Teacher, Stonebridge Elementary, Stillwater, Minnesota
“Your book is beautifully structured and written, each word glowing with sorrow and faith and love, a father's true testament of his son.” ---The Reverend Dr. Alla Bozarth, Priest and Poet and Author of Life is Goodbye, Life is Hello.
"David Francis and his family engaged Minnesotans across the state from the governor to pilots they didn't even know in their search for Jon. Their personal bravery and persistence inspired all of us to help." —Senator Ann Rest, Minnesota State Senate
