About the Book
Paths I Have WalkedDespite what Jo Ann Fuson Staples might tell you, she is no ordinary woman. She has led a remarkable life, full of adventure, love, hardship, and survival. Raised in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky, she comes from a long line of strong mountain folk, those ready to take on adversity and fight for anyone they love, no matter the odds. At only seven, Jo Ann tragically lost her father, and then, when Jo Ann was twenty-four, her mother to brutal violence. Although the pain from those experiences followed Jo Ann for the rest of her life, the bonds she made with her friends and family members only grew stronger, and from there, Jo Ann dove head-first into life.
From having a relationship with the prime suspect of the infamous D. B. Cooper skyjacker case to taking on a twenty-six-year journey with her husband on diplomatic assignments to Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East to surviving a grizzly bear attack, Jo Ann shares it all with humour, grace, and, occasionally, sorrow. |
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Paths I Have Walked is a story of trauma, heartbreak, compassion, true friendship, finding love, and the gift of motherhood. It is a deeply human, compelling, and poignant self-portrait of a resilient woman ready to face life, no matter the odds.
About the Author
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Jo Ann Fuson StaplesJo Ann Fuson Staples came of age in the Appalachian Mountains of southeast Kentucky. She is a lifelong seeker of knowledge, and education that came from love of books and a well-traveled life. She spent 26 years working, learning and traveling overseas with her husband, George Staples, a Foreign Service Officer, on behalf of the U.S. State Department. She has a daughter, Catherine Desiree, a granddaughter, Grace Ann, and Matthew Randolph, a special son-in-law. Jo Ann is the oldest of five siblings, three of whom are still living.
She is the first in her family to write a book. |
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Reviews
"In Staples’ memoir, a diplomat’s wife from the Kentucky mountains recalls her life. Staples has lived a fascinating life (“While I suppose I could have been described as a hillbilly because of where I grew up, labels stopped bothering me many years ago”) that spans decades, continents, and connections with everyone from Zimbabwean president and dictator Mugabe to actor Danny Glover. No detail is spared, and readers may enjoy the extensive descriptions of the author’s various homes as well as the many places the Staples family lived abroad." - Kirkus Reviews
"Paths I Have Walked by Jo Ann Fuson Staples is one of the most intriguing memoirs I've ever read. She went from dating a man who was rumored to be the skyjacker D.B. Cooper to being the wife of a diplomat stationed in several nations, mostly in Africa. The fact that Jo Ann provided in-depth accounts of her experiences is one feature of this memoir that I found appealing. She always made it a point to learn about the customs and way of life of the locals wherever they went and write about them. She also discussed important historical issues that raise awareness, such as the Rwanda Genocide. The book is well-edited. I also enjoyed the colorful photos Jo Ann included in her memoir to depict the various people and places she had encountered. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys memoirs. I give the book five out of five stars." - Eva Nyaburi, Online Bookclub.org
"Paths I Have Walked by Jo Ann Fuson Staples is one of the most intriguing memoirs I've ever read. She went from dating a man who was rumored to be the skyjacker D.B. Cooper to being the wife of a diplomat stationed in several nations, mostly in Africa. The fact that Jo Ann provided in-depth accounts of her experiences is one feature of this memoir that I found appealing. She always made it a point to learn about the customs and way of life of the locals wherever they went and write about them. She also discussed important historical issues that raise awareness, such as the Rwanda Genocide. The book is well-edited. I also enjoyed the colorful photos Jo Ann included in her memoir to depict the various people and places she had encountered. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys memoirs. I give the book five out of five stars." - Eva Nyaburi, Online Bookclub.org
