Todd’s Non-fiction Library
A collection of nonfictional works written by Todd Parnell
True Stories from the Buffalo River
The Buffalo, Ben, & Me
Father and son discover the formative, curative, and redemptive powers of nature.
“The Buffalo River Valley is a place of the heart to those who have known it.”- Suzanne Rogers, Historian, Buffalo National River
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The Buffalo River in northwest Arkansas is one of the longest free-flowing, undammed rivers west of the Mississippi—and one of the most beautiful waterways on earth. Almost lost to development, it proved to be the perfect testing ground for a young boy almost lost to mediocrity.
Middle-schooler Ben is struggling with learning challenges that have left him resentful and underachieving. His father, middle-ager Todd, wants to help his son gain self-confidence but is searching for his own identity. For twelve adventure-filled days on the river—all 125 miles of her navigable course, from Ponca to the White River—father and son discover the formative, curative, and redemptive powers of nature.
Leaving video games and cell phones behind isn’t easy for kids these days, but in the great outdoors parents and youngsters can connect in unimaginable ways. The Buffalo, Ben, and Me shares such a connection in an adventure story set on a wild river. It is a captivating tale featuring a host of colorful characters and enlivened by photos that reflect the essence of the wilderness.
But deeper than that, it is the story of crossing a threshold from dream to possibility—of one man’s search for meaning in his life and his efforts to motivate his son, blending love of family with love of nature in a tale of transformation. It tells how a rebellious teen and a bored banker conspired to buck a system keyed to predictability, and how a wild river inspired both to a better use of their lives. “This trip hit me as hard as it did Ben,” writes Parnell, “as a wake-up call to life, to what is important, to what is not.”
The trip down the Buffalo was one that even Ben admits changed his life in more ways than one, as he later went on to earn a master of science degree specializing in stream ecology. For any reader who loves the outdoors—and especially those seeking to connect with their children—The Buffalo, Ben, and Me is essential reading that reminds us of possibilities to be had in facing life head-on as it raises awareness of the need to protect the Ozarks’ water resources and heritage.
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“A touching story, subtle and true, both symbolic and real, of a father and son’s search for passage into each other’s hearts. Finally, it is the ancient language of the river itself that connects them, reminding us all of the secret values of solitude, sky, wind, water, and rock. This is a beautiful journey and a wonderful book.”
-John Dillon, founding member, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, praising “The Buffalo, Ben, & Me”
Trails of the Heart
Sequel to The Buffalo, Ben, & Me.
These personal memories seek to share beauty and soul, and inspire participation and preservation. America, this is your river.
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Sequel to The Buffalo Ben and Me. The Buffalo River in northwest Arkansas is America's first national river, so designated in 1972. It remains a unique and beautiful place afforded national recognition, allowing the public to camp, hike and canoe it in near serenity. The author has invested many days and nights of his spare time over the past decades doing just that. These personal memories seek to share beauty and soul, and inspire participation and preservation. America, this is your river...
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“Trails of the Heart is an aptly titled love story about an aging man’s lifelong affection for nature - not only his love of the primeval, pristine beauty of the Ozarks, but also his love for human nature in his family and fellow man.”
-Dr. Ken LeSure, author of Cold Feat
“A touching story, subtle and true, both symbolic and real, of a father and son’s search for passage into each other’s hearts. Finally, it is the ancient language of the river itself that connects them, reminding us all of the secret values of solitude, sky, wind, water, and rock. This is a beautiful journey and a wonderful book.”
-John Dillon, founding member, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, praising “The Buffalo, Ben, & Me”
True Stories from Todd’s Family
Mom at War: A Story of Courage and Love Born of Loss
Jean Parnell’s personal letters, diary, pictures, and scrapbook from her service in World War II remained tucked in a German ammunition box until she shared them with son Todd half a century later.
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In August 1943, Jean Hogg Rayl lost her husband to enemy fire in Sicily. She confronted her anguish by enlisting in the American Red Cross in the spring of 1944 and traveling to Washington, D.C. for basic training. She made her way to Europe in July. In November, 1944 she left for the front lines to support troops soon to be engaged in the Battle of the Bulge. She celebrated V-E Day serving troops in Eastern Germany. In October 1945 she returned home.
Her personal letters, diary, pictures, and scrapbook remained tucked in a German ammunition box until she shared them with son Todd half a century later. He has compiled her memories and memorabilia into a touching tribute to her service in World War II:
MOM AT WAR. The book was released on Veteran’s Day, 2005, sixty years after Jean Parnell returned home from Europe and victory.
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“This personal memoir is exactly what is needed to deepen our knowledge and appreciation of the Second World War. It is filled with insights and honesty about one woman’s experiences in the greatest human conflict in history.”
-Senator George McGovern, retired U. S. Senator and WWII hero, praising “Mom at War”
“In Mom At War I found bravery and true love exemplified in the letters written and saved by Mrs. Parnell for over 50 years. Eloquently, Todd Parnell has captured this life story in a way that can be forever shared.”
-Andy Williams, entertainer
Postcards from Branson: A Century of Family Reminiscence
This rich compilation of stories, anecdotes, photos, and memorabilia tracks Branson’s evolution through the words of four generations of Parnells, all deeply rooted and involved in what Branson was and has become.
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Few, if any, communities in America have undergone such dramatic transition over the past one hundred years as Branson, MO. From dirt road at a bend in the mighty White River, to early resort community, to the tourism capital of Missouri, to renowned entertainment Mecca, Branson remains a national anomaly keyed to abundant water resources, old-time values, wholesome family venues, and community creativity. How she got from there to here is a tale of colorful characters and unpredictable outcomes.
This rich compilation of stories, anecdotes, photos, and memorabilia tracks Branson’s evolution through the words of four generations of Parnells, all deeply rooted and involved in what Branson was and has become. POSTCARDS FROM BRANSON lays out the Branson century in a warm and personal style, filled with humor, generational perspective, and love of place.
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“Postcards from Branson is a narration of local history at its best, decade by decade, generation to generation.”
-Janet Dailey, author