Roberts Essex's debut novel, "Chance: Beginning," has secured a spot on Amazon's Best Sellers eBook List, a notable achievement for a first-time author writing about the American South during turbulent times. The book, published in 2025, is the first volume of a planned trilogy that follows protagonist Chance Brogdon from rural Georgia through the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and Watergate.
Set against the backdrop of mid-century Georgia, the novel spans the presidencies of Kennedy to Carter and covers cultural shifts from the Mercury 7 space program to the introduction of the space shuttle. Essex, who writes under a pseudonym and is based in rural Georgia, describes the work as semi-autobiographical, with the character of Chance Brogdon drawn from his own life experiences. "This story was written for the lonely child, for the man who carries his pain in silence, and for anyone who fears that the past defines the future," Essex said in a statement. "I wanted to show that healing is real and that no one is bound by their wounds."
The narrative weaves together elements of Southern life, from drive-in diners and jukeboxes to the cultural impact of rock 'n' roll and the British Invasion, while also addressing grief, trauma, addiction, racism, and violence. Essex has indicated that the writing process allowed him to confront personal demons, saying, "Writing Chance became a way of confronting long-hidden ghosts." The book aims to inspire readers through the trials of one man's life, demonstrating that optimism and belief can overcome adversity.
"Chance: Beginning" is available through major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Walmart. The author has planned two sequels: "Chance: The Search" and "Chance: A New Life," which will continue Brogdon's story into later decades, exploring themes of survival, redemption, and faith. Essex has noted that subsequent volumes will address his son's abduction and its aftermath.
The novel's success on Amazon's best sellers list underscores a growing readership for stories that tackle historical trauma through personal narrative. For Essex, now in his late 60s and living in rural Georgia with his wife of more than 30 years, the book represents a culmination of over six decades of life experience. The planned trilogy chronicles events and decisions that shaped his life and those around him, examining the intersection of faith, family, loss, and redemption in the American South.
For review copies or additional information, contact the author through his website.
