Johnny and Jazzbo - 9213

This compelling and powerful true story is about two young southern men of opposite color faced with an evil that has no color other than the blood shed stains left behind by hate and greed. Raised in the backwoods of Norhtwest Florida, their untamed determination to escape poverty brings them together on a journey of self-discovery. It was 1962 when twenty-eight-year-old Dr. Johnny Savage moved to Atlanta, during one of the most turbulent times in the history of Georgia. He builds a successful dental practice, becomes a powerful political figure, and hires Otis Ikner, a twenty-six-year-old Black man as a houseboy. When Johnny discovers that Otis' aspirations to become successful were the same as his, but society had not allowed it, Johnny takes matters into his own hands and secretly forges a high-school diploma to help Otis Ikner become America's first Black male dental hygienist. In Johnny's circle, Otis gains financial and social opportunities as he climbs the ladder to succes. But when overtly racists social and political colleagues blackball Johnny's career and threatens his and Otis' lives, they encounter threats from unsavory characters and even Klansmen. In one of many incidences, Johnny's closest friend's lake house is burned to the ground after Otis is invited to waterski on a "Whites only" lake. On another occasion, fingers point to Otis after a local murder takes place, leaving them scathed but no defeated. With wit, fortitude, cunning humor, and compassion, Johnny and Otis set out to right the wrongs in their lives no matter what the cost. Over three decades, these two mavericks experience life on every level beating the odds when it comes to business, politics, sex, love, and marriages before going back to their roots where the true meaning of friendship, success, wealth, and happiness awaited their return home. Side-splittingly funny at times and heart wrenching at others, this story of historical events is an inspiring lesson on forgiveness, hope, and a testament to what's possible with grace, kindness and courage.
ASIN: 1665714549
VSKU: 5ALWH00001T6_ns
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Hardy, Kathryn J
Binding: Hardcover