Don Umphrey

I have the following books listed on Amazon.com and for sale on Amazon Kindle:

THE MEANEST MAN IN TEXAS

This is an inspirational true story set between 1928 and 1955. It was originally published in 1984 and has been through several printings. It was adapted into a movie shot in Hollywood; I served as a screenwriter on the film (along with our director, Justin Ward) and also as executive producer of the film (in conjunction with Marshall Danby; the film is now available as a DVD that is available on Amazon.com. The Meanest Man in Texas Movie Edition was published in 2018; besides the classic story and 8 pages of B&W photos from original edition, it also has a special movie section that includes 32 color photos.

SOUTHERNERS IN BLLUE: THEY DEFIED THE CONFEDERACY.

A true story about people in northwest Alabama (including my great-grandparents) who sided with the Union during the Civil War. History 101 doesn't cover the fact that there was a great deal of Union sentiment in the south. This often pitted neighbor against neighbor in places like Winston and Marion counties in Alabama.

12 STEPS TO A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD (also available in Spanish)

Describes the origin of the 12 steps formulated by members of Alcoholics Anonymous during the 1930s and details the biblical basis of each of the steps. The same steps have been adopted by some 200 groups representing a wide variety of problems.

DELIVER US I: RECOGNIZING THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL ON THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION

Explains in biblical terms why people yield to Satan's deception, describes the slippery slope toward spiritual blindness and tells what it takes to leave that downward journey. Many examples in this book come from my own alcoholism and recovery.

DELIVER US II: DISCOVERING YOUR IDOLS ON THE PATH TO THE PROMISED LAND

Uses the children of Israel in Egypt and on their trip to the Promised Land as a metaphor; Egypt is the land of slavery (our addictions/sins); the trip to the Promised Land is our life's journey with obstacles and temptations to return to slavery. This book is also illustrated with examples from my alcoholism and recovery.

Except for the Civil War book, the things I write are heavily influenced by the fact that I nearly killed myself with booze by the time I reached age 27. I then discovered if I wanted to live, things had to change. And through the grace of God, they have. It is my desire that others can be helped via the worst parts of my life and what has occurred in the years since.

I earned my Ph.D. in communication from the University of Texas at Austin, M.A. in mass communications from Texas Tech University, and B.A. in English from Lipscomb University. I served 22 years on the faculty of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and was named professor emeritus at that institution in 2006.

Prior to my academic career, I was a newspaper reporter and editor and won national awards as both an investigative reporter and columnist. I also won two awards as a television producer.

Since 2008, I have worked fulltime as a writer. I takes breaks from writing by riding a road bike around White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas, lifting weights, and swimming laps in the indoor pool at SMU.

On Sunday mornings you can usually find me teaching a Bible study class at church.

My wife, Kim, and I reside in Dallas. We enjoy vacations in both the Florida Keys and southwest Florida, and spend quite a bit of time fishing in both locations. Kim also collects sea shells from visits to Captiva Island and the beaches in and around Bonita Springs, Florida.

We also attend SMU and Texas Tech football games and watch NHL hockey games; our favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and graduated from Farmington High School. I have lived in Texas since 1975, first Lubbock, then Austin, and Dallas since 1986.

I'm easy to find on Facebook. Stop by and say howdy some time.