Publisher's Synopsis
Man What a Ride is the raw, redemptive, and unforgettable true story of a mountain boy who should've never made it-but did.
Born into the winding hollers of Appalachia, Johnny Casebolt grew up under skies both beautiful and broken. His early years were marked by love, laughter, and the deep-rooted strength of a family that knew hard times-but also by tragedy, poverty, and pain that could've crushed a lesser soul. From his father's military transfers to the shadows of abuse and the devastating loss of his mother, Johnny's childhood wasn't just difficult-it was a fight to survive.
But survive he did.
This book isn't just about what happened-it's about what held him together. Faith. Grit. The kindness of a few. And somewhere in all the heartbreak, hope kept whispering, "Keep going." From the quiet classrooms of small-town schools to a behavioral hospital and back, Johnny's path took turns no child should have to walk. Yet his story doesn't stall in sorrow-it presses forward, always toward healing.
Now a teacher, father, husband, and "Poppie," Johnny opens the pages of his life with honesty, humor, and an undeniable sense of purpose. He speaks to anyone who's been knocked down, left behind, or counted out-reminding them that the past may shape us, but it doesn't get to define us.
Man What a Ride is more than memoir-it's a testament. A witness to God's faithfulness. A tribute to every soul who's been hurt but kept going. And above all, a message to the weary:
You're not alone. And the ride isn't over.
Come take a seat. The road may be rough, but grace is waiting just around the bend.
