“The American Dream need not forever be deferred.” – JFKWhat is success? Is it money, or a prestigious job title, or a house and car? In this personal exploration of the American Dream, Gaylan Wright discusses his path to personal fulfillment during an eventful eighteen years with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. From routine traffic stops to unthinkable tragedy, the highway patrol sees the best and … best and worst of human nature. Wright examines the training process, the brotherhood of service, and the ups and downs of working as a state trooper. With candor, thoughtfulness, and humor, Wright illuminates the daily life of the thin blue line and provides insights about personal character, racial injustices, and the ways people can contribute to making the world a better place.
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Gaylan D Wright’s book, Slave to the Dream, Everyone’s dream, is an inspirational, heartfelt, and interesting tale about the author’s life. From his time in the air force to his eighteen years of service in the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
What makes this journey so engaging to read is the way that Wright is unafraid to explore the negatives and positives. He is not trying to romanticize his life but to give his honest story. The book connects to a lot of modern discussions as Wrights explores his place as an African American man who spent his life working in law enforcement. He explores his experiences and the new light which reflection brings.
The book is written in an easy and engaging style that is easy to read and makes you feel connected to Wright. Each chapter takes the reader through the different phases of Wright’s life, giving an expansive view of how these experiences changed him and his outlook on life. There are also photos sprinkled in along the way, which I really enjoyed.
This book is a relevant and truly heartfelt read. I am very glad to have found this book!
Memoirs are exceedingly difficult to write and hold interest. It’s hard for us to filter out what’s important to us and what’s interesting to a reader, and this is why a lot of memoir-style books aren’t written by the subject. However, Wright is among the few who manage it well. I will admit I wasn’t immediately hooked in. The writing is good, though, and I kept on. I really got invested in the fourth chapter, “The Law is not Meant to Crush but Must be Enforced” and from that point on I was in it with Wright. It really showcases the moral dilemma and shares the “other side of the fence” regarding police (in particular the Highway Patrol).
It’s clear that Wright has conviction and hope for people but remains honest about himself and his station/circumstances. He does not dress up the darker periods of his life or thoughts and doesn’t overdo what we’d read as positive. His perspective on major social issues is a valuable piece of insight that we only get in edited interviews after something bad has happened. But this isn’t cut to fit for media, this is raw. Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but always candid.
Another thing, one that really makes this book stand out, is that there are so many quotable and relevant lines and commentary on Wright’s situation (by the author himself) that really push one to think.
I found this book to be an eye opener, the author Gaylan D Wright talks about his own experiences as a highway patrol officer, Wright discusses every aspect of his career and gives you an insight into the real life of a state trooper (the good, the bad and the ugly!) Wright shares lots of his personal experiences with the reader so if you enjoy real life literature i would definitely recommend you read this book.
Galen D rights slave to the dream is his own personal experience becoming a state trooper and staying one for 17 years. He has not only his own personal insights and opinions on guns, racism every day violence and other topics that are so apropos for the life we live to day call mom but they are lessons to be learned whipped throughout the book. It is a book I highly recommend there’s also a few LOL moments in his casual writing style makes it a fun yet very thought-provoking read.
Slave to the Dream: Everyone’s Dream by Gaylan D. Wright is an interesting and honest memoir. The author tells of growing up in Chicago, being exposed to a lot of guns, then later joining the Air Force. Ultimately he tells of his time as a highway patrol officer in Wyoming and his experiences there. This is an intricately detailed memoir, filled with photos and experiences. Plenty of quotes in the beginning provide inspiration for life. The author recounts his experiences on the road, some of them awful, and many of them confrontational and scary. However, Wright has a way of turning a negative into a positive throughout his life, and you will see this reflected through this candid memoir. This is a well written story of one man’s life, well rounded and humble in its approach. Highly recommended for an interesting tale of a life well lived and enjoyed despite some difficult times.
Author Gaylan D. Wright is proving to be a memoirist of note. He has published two books to date – SLAVE TO THE DREAM: FOREVER IN PURSUIT and now SLAVE TO THE DREAM: EVERYONE’S DREAM. With these two books Wright seems destined to become a role model for young people fortunate enough to absorb his solid and straightforward vision and wisdom.
The time for this book to be placed before the public is propitious. Galan is an African American man and a law enforcement agent – two arenas bringing challenges to contemporary changes of views, as the BLM demonstrations and the concurrent reactions of the police address. If only more people would read Gaylan’s solid and positive approaches to both elements as shared in this important memoir, there would likely be far broader understanding and insight and acceptance that may propel our progress to making the world better.
But on to the content. This is a memoir of a man who, after being raised in Chicago, joined the Air Force earning to Meritorious Service and three National Defense Medals and other decorations, and moving forward, became a Wyoming State Trouper. Related in a conversational manner, Gaylan shares his experiences – positive and negative – while serving mankind in that protective role, and in doing so opens our eyes to the vantage of seeing the world as a an officer whose mission is to uphold the law. While that may not sound challenging to some, read Gaylan’s accounts and become informed!
The book is rich in insightful comments, ideas that ask the reader to be open to change and growth, to understand and respect, and many other ideals. ‘There seems to be a requirement for just so many people to be in the poor class, just as the need for a middle class exists. One class actually supports the other. The only way to get out of that cycle is to fight your way out. Never pass up an opportunity, and stick your foot into every open door, even if it’s just to see what’s inside. If there’s a possibility of seeing something you never have seen to experiencing something new. Do it. The mind expansion is mind-blowing.’ That is only one passage of many that are memorable.
Toward book’s end, Gaylan states, “What I have learned so far had been an incredible journey and adventure. I remained in my own character even when I was not well liked. I now enter a room looking for people I may like rather than for those who will like me. There are people who change their demeanor between regular people and professional people. Just try to be who you are consistently and let those closest to you see your best, along with those you work with. People around you should not be the cause of change in your personal character…’
Honest, wise, and moving, this is a book we all need to read – now! Recommended.
Slave to the Dream: Everyone’s Dream by Gaylan D Wright is the fascinating autobiography of an ordinary man, a retired state trooper who served his country. This is a candid, honest and at times blunt account of some of his life experiences which led him to be the person he is today, he shares experiences from his rough childhood in Chicago to serving his country as a highway patrol officer. The main focus of this book is looking at how humanity behaves when dealing with situations and how we could all learn a thing or two by questioning our own thoughts and actions.
The way of writing in this book was insightful, simple and very easy to follow.
Slave to the Dream, Everyone’s Dream by Gaylan D. Wright is one of the most fascinating memoirs I have read. His humble, yet commanding, beliefs are refreshing as he serves and protects others as a state trooper. Life is a precious gift and his desire to preserve that gift is inspiring. Gaylan does not beat around the bush in what he believes and the high standard in which he lives.
One statement by Gaylan D. Wright that really stood out, “the way I am now is the way my environment made me” makes for a powerful testimony. Slave to the Dream was written for teenagers and it shows the difference they could make in the world, no matter the color of their skin. The people skills and work ethic seen in the author is unseen in many young people now. One thing I noticed immediately about this author is his drive to be the best he could be. He does not have a bitter agenda he is trying to push because of the prejudice he faces through his job or skin color. He strives for excellence and pushes others to expect more of them.
Slave to the Dream: Everyone’s Dream by Gaylan D Wright
Book starts out with quotes from various famous people. Story starts when author became a civilian, 36 later.
Many recollections of his time on the road, coming up on head on collisions on the main highways and nothing left of the people involved.
Mostly drunk driver accidents. Because of the way he was trained he was strong in getting the jobs done along with paperwork. Just when you think you’ve heard it all he tells of other accidents.
Like the camaraderie he and other troopers had over the years. Hated to hear some bosses did not fight for them or pay increases.
I recall my father also going through state police training but he stayed on the local level. So informative to me and another part of my father’s life I didn’t know much about.
Pictures throughout the book and love that he brought up his kids like his dad brought up him.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
It’s a real life tale.