'Chance: Beginning,' the debut novel by Roberts Essex, has reached the Best Sellers eBook List on Amazon, marking a significant milestone for the first volume of a planned trilogy. The book traces one man's journey through the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and Watergate against the backdrop of mid-century Georgia.
Published in 2025, 'Chance: Beginning' follows Chance Brogdon, a boy born in rural Georgia and raised in the Savannah suburbs, across several of the most turbulent decades in American history. The narrative spans the era from Presidents Kennedy to Carter, from the Mercury 7 space program through the introduction of the space shuttle, and from the Cuban Missile Crisis through the escalation of the Cold War.
'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,' said Essex, who is based in rural Georgia. 'I wanted to show that healing is real and that no one is bound by their wounds.'
The novel draws on the textures of mid-century Southern life, from drive-in diners and jukeboxes to the cultural shifts brought by rock 'n' roll and the British Invasion. It also confronts more difficult subjects. Grief, trauma, addiction, racism, and violence are part of Brogdon's story, balanced by humor and the Southern storytelling tradition. Essex has said the book is semi-autobiographical, written under a pseudonym, and that the character of Chance Brogdon is based on his own life.
'Writing Chance became a way of confronting long-hidden ghosts,' Essex said. 'I hope the book inspires others through the trials and tribulations of one man's life, showing that anything is possible with enough optimism and belief.'
'Chance: Beginning' is the first of three planned volumes. Future installments, titled 'Chance: The Search' and 'Chance: A New Life,' will continue to follow Brogdon's story into later decades, exploring themes of survival, redemption, and faith. Essex has indicated that subsequent volumes will address his son's abduction and the aftermath that followed.
The book is available through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Walmart.
The novel's success on Amazon's best sellers list highlights a growing interest in stories that grapple with American history through personal narratives. By weaving together major historical events with intimate struggles, Essex offers readers a lens into how individuals navigate societal upheaval. The trilogy's focus on healing and redemption may resonate with audiences seeking stories of resilience in uncertain times.
