Standing at the Scratch Line

By: Guy Johnson

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi "King" Tremain, caught up in his family’s ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains’ fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana.

King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma.

King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.

©1998 Guy Johnson (P)2005 Recorded Books,LLC

Just what I needed to hear!

What did you love best about Standing at the Scratch Line?

This is a story that has never been told, and told so well. It takes on stereotypes and challenges them, especially in regards to how African-American families do not support each other. This story is all about family and one man's quest to create a successful legacy for his lineage. Its sincere, cut-throat, thought provoking, challenging, and just damn good!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, King Tremain. Strength, family values, passion, reciprocity, don't take no mess from nobody...

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to choose one!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You 'best say Joe 'cause you sho' don't know!"

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to start and finish Echoes of a Distant Summer... the legacy lives on!

Wonderful Story

I loved the story of King Tremaine and was delighted to learn there is a sequel.

A Saga of a King

Loved this novel because the main character has an interesting and unusual life. He makes choices using his reasoning and understanding of the world. Yet, some choices have been made by fate. His greatest attribute is when he sees an obstacle, he deals with it, and moves on with his plans. He doesn't get caught up with the incidentals. He simply "lifts up his foot and steps over" the problem. That is unusual! By the end of the novel, I believe, he has what's up his protagonist says she wanted at the beginning of her adulthood... Happiness.

Gripping...

Powerful. Exciting and tragic. Captivating characters and a great story that kept me listening and wanting more.

a surprise

I really enjoyed this book.. It was historical in many ways. I hope there is a sequel.
Somehow, it reminds me of aspects of Gone With The Wind in black. Very enjoyable.