Don't Throw Away Your Stick Till You Cross the River

The Journey of an Ordinary Man

$15.00

by Vincent Collin Beach with Anni Beach

Recipient of the prestigious Carter G. Woodson Book Award (secondary education) by The National Council for Social Studies in 2007, this is a life story spanning eight decades. The book begins in Jamaica in 1924, and with rich detail, fast-moving short chapters and a peppering of photos, engages the readers in the life of one man. Reviewed by thirteen judges from around the nation, the book fulfilled the many requirements established to increase understanding of ethnicity in a positive light in the United States.

For 85 years, Vincent Beach saw and experienced a lot-from war, to racism, to love lost and found, to the birth of his children, and the tragic deaths of two of them from Lupus. The old adage of his mother which titles his autobiography gave him the perseverance and dedication to pursue life to its fullest despite setbacks, pitfalls, and tragedy.

Vincent Beach, known as The Father of Jam Pak, later in his life, opened his home and his heart to help his wife Anni gather the neighbor children of Chandler, Arizona, and teach bluegrass music beginning in 1994. Although Vincent was a jazz musician (retired United States Air Force Bandsman) who really loved the old standards of the 40's and 50's, he began to embrace bluegrass, trying to play all of the instruments over the next 15 years. He did everything to help Jam Pak thrive—his time, money, vehicles, advice, and most of all always being the steady, thoughtful, kind presence needed by Anni and the band members. It is with great joy that they carry on in his memory. All proceeds from the sale of this book help Jam Pak continue to make people happy with their music.

Paperback, perfect-bound. 331 pages.

To purchase, visit the author’s website:

Reviews

“I finished Vincent’s book last night and I am just in awe. I started it and just couldn´t put it down all day! I literally finished it at 1:30 in the morning! What an extraordinary man who led an inspirational life. I will forever be humbled by him and the life that you had together. I feel like I know your family now, too! I can see why the Navajo Reservation holds a special place in your heart...that is where you met your soulmate! I am so happy that you have shared his story.”

—Monica Crossman Meling (Norway)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinating story of a remarkable life! Recommend HIGHLY!

“My husband and I both read Vincent's book, ‘Don't Throw Away Your Stick Till You Cross the River,’ and shall be sending copies to all of our adult children and all of the grandchildren. That is how touching and important we feel this book is.

Short chapters of good, easy to read, stories of hardships, GOOD times, loss of two sons, his 22 years in the US Air Force as a horn man in traveling bands, encounters with racism and much more.

We believe Vincent's book should be an inspiration to many and also a reminder of how easy most of us have it in today's world. America IS still the land of opportunity—why else would so many want to come here.

There are stories that brought tears to our eyes.”

—Susan L. Anderson, Amazon Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Extraordinary Man.

“I began this book yesterday morning and finished it before sunset yesterday evening. Mr. Beach tells his story with unflinching honesty and refreshing clarity. For a man who left his home with a little more than a sixth-grade education and a desire to follow his passion...music, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Bearing his pain and disappointments with courage, Vincent's life serves as a lesson in perseverance, humility, acceptance and love without ever descending into preachiness or self-pity.

I've purchased several copies of this book for our Library, and highly recommend it to reading groups.”

—Anita Noad, Palm Coast, FL, Amazon Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ordinary man, extraordinary life.

“Inspiring true-life story about a black man who overcame a lifetime of challenges through dedication, determination and grit. A great read!”

—Richard Warren, Amazon Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Book to Share

“I just read the last of this book this morning and my heart has been full, thinking of Vincent Beach and his wife, Anni, all day. It is truly a heart-warming, thought-provoking, human tale, and I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to read it. It was precious to me to get this in-depth look at the details of an extraordinary, not an ordinary, life. It is an absorbing tale, and difficult to put down. We very seldom get to read a personal story of a life that's spanned 80+ years; that in itself makes this book special. I truly admire this couple for seeing this project to it's conclusion--readers will learn of some of the difficulties that were encountered in finishing the book.”

—F. Herring, Amazon Reviewer

About the Author (2007)

Vincent Beach has seen a lot in the past 82 years—wars fought and peace enjoyed, racism endured and the rising hope for integration, loves found and loves lost, children born and children buried. Through it all, his mother's adages have sustained him. “Don't throw away your stick till you cross the river,” she often told him. It was not till years later that he grasped the full meaning behind the saying. Leaving behind his rural home in Jamaica, Vincent set out for a new life. He joined the British Royal Air Force in 1944 and ended up in Europe. In 1955, he emigrated to the United States but found it difficult to find work. Attracted to a recruiting station, Vincent was soon a member of the U.S. Air Force. It was here that he was able to pursue his lifelong dream of being a musician. For the next 22 years, he was a military bandsman. After that, he had a second career of helping Navajo children on an isolated reservation in northern Arizona. He describes himself as a common black man from ordinary beginnings. Why then did he decide to write his autobiography? “I believe the stories of other people's lives are enlightening,” he says. “They reveal the fact that we are all part of the human condition.” He and his wife Annie, who helped him prepare his manuscript, received the “2003 National Excellence in Parenting Award” from the National Parents' Day Council at a ceremony in Washington, DC.