For many people, being able to work doing something you love is a dream. It certainly began that way for Dedrick Moone. But the dream only lasted a few years before it turned ugly, eventually taking a path toward discrimination, harassment, and illness which only served to create an environment where Dedrick feared losing what he truly loved most- his daughter, Haelee. Even as she faced her own struggles, with the both of them locked in conflicts that literally took years to resolve, they never failed to have faith that they would come out on the other side, stronger from their experiences.The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold by Dedrick Moone, with contributions by his daughter Haelee, is at its heart a story about perseverance and faith. As Dedrick recounts all his trials and tribulations, he associates each one with a scripture or passage that he feels corresponds to his situation. The writing is impassioned gets to be a little technical at points. Each incident is described with analytical details and includes copies of letters, memos, and legal notices at the end. As far as the message goes, however, the optimism and faith that both authors exhibit, even at their lowest points, is remarkable to witness over the course of the tale. In a way, the book can be considered a testament of sorts about not abandoning your faith when all seems lost.The huge setbacks that Both Dedrick and Haelee suffer in both their personal and private lives would leave many others despondent, but they continued on. Dedrick is also consistently motivated by his love for Haelee, and often talks to his readers, reminding them that how things are now, is not how things will always be; which is something we all need to be reminded of every now and then.The message was wonderful and the resilience of the Moones was incredible to read. I’m fairly invested and will be looking up more of their story, but I would have loved to explore their personal journeys more and have less technical details because I found them to be so compelling on their own. The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold is an emotionally charged memoir that will bring hope and inspiration to many readers.  

The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold is an absorbing rendition of true events where author Dedrick L. Moone describes his life experiences as a black disabled father trying to raise a daughter in contemporary America. After losing his job due to discrimination and constant harassment, Mr. Moone tries to find his own way. Meanwhile, his seven-year-old daughter is getting bullied by a friend with malicious intent. When systematic struggles with the legal system shut down all doors, Mr. Moone is left with no choice but to appeal to President Obama himself, of which he responds with an empathetic authority. While his fight against unethical abuse continues, he is forced to relocate to the state of North Carolina and suffers from constant bouts of insomnia and depression. 

Powerful and gut-wrenching, The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold deeply resonates with the common man of today's working-class all over. Author Dedrick L. Moone pulls no punches in showcasing the horrors plaguing the working class of contemporary America and provides plenty of practical examples of how to counter them. Dedrick L. Moone's narrative feels authentic and rings true, and he delves into his real-life experiences in spectacular fashion to explore the troubles facing contemporary America. The usage of actual events and exhausting court battles provide the narrative with an added sense of urgency and legitimacy that is difficult to shrug off. At the end of the memoir, I couldn't help but appreciate Dedrick L. Moone's resolve and applauded the comeuppance that his detractors rightly deserved. Highly recommended.