About The Author

Rich Bonnett is married to Lora (Marinelli) Bonnett for over 40 years, has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He is a serving member of High Point Baptist Chapel where he and Lora taught youth Sunday school for 20 years. He now teaches a home Bible Study group. His other interest include traveling, backpacking, canoeing, photography, herpetology and ornithology which he incorporates into educational programs he presents through-out southeast PA to a wide variety of venues. When not spending time with his family, he serves as board member to the Mengel Natural History Society; is team leader under PA Fish & Boat Commission for the Timber Rattler Assessment Project since 2003, and is a field volunteer monitor for several other wildlife projects. Though retired since 2019 from a career as calibration technician for industrial weighing, he still works part time on field projects for an Environmental Company during nice weather. He still gets together with several of the folks mentioned in these stories.
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Hope I Die Before I Get Old

t-t-talking 'bout re-generation

By Richard Bonnett

Overview

I wrote this book primarily for people who know me. My oldest friends knew I had a storied past through some dark years. Newer friends, nieces, nephews and some close family to this day have very little or no idea of my past. For decades, old friends have told me I should write a book. I shrugged it off knowing that writing was beyond my talents and getting permission from people who didn't want to dig into their past, or whom I hadn't heard from in 30 years would make it too big a task.

Then a chance meeting with a retired law officer in my 50th year changed all that. I finished the book in two years but sat on it for 15 more, coming up with excuses not to publish it. To whom much is given, much will be required. I finally understood this book was required of me.   

– Rich Bonnett

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Description

The stories compiled in this book are all true and from my life, but they are not a biography. They are snapshots of a night here, a week there, or a summer escape; chosen for the specific purpose of presenting how a teenager making wrong life-choices every time he faces one, will have fewer and fewer good options available by age 17. By that age I was locked in a downward spiral of my own making. All subsequent bad turns at the proverbial fork in the road would bring my friends and I closer to death at an accelerating rate until there were only a few left standing. The next 5 years would prove that out. I was one of the few still standing.

Some one loved me enough to reach in and pull me out of this street gang, His name is Jesus Christ. His story in my life becomes as bizarre as my previous stories. The adventure continues to this day. I chose stories that present challenges everyone will be able to identify with, and answers to some of life's hard questions. Don't lock in pre-conceptions from this short description. The stories will take you places you didn't expect to go. Enjoy the journey!

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Book details

  • Genre:religion
  • Sub-genre:Christian Living / Inspirational
  • Language:English
  • Pages:384
  • Paperback ISBN:9781098351793

Book Reviews

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Robert
Hope I die before I get old I am not a reader, but on day one of reading Rich’s book I found myself on chapter 5 of 13. I couldn’t put it down. My wife also read the book after I was done and I would ask her, “What’s Rich up to today?” Read more
Robert
Hope I Died before I Die As one of Rich's friends growing up, he captured our crazy childhood times together magnifically, (yes, I was that Rob in Chapters 5 and 6). Our friendship kind of ended when he started down that dark path but fortunately, we reconnected about ten years ago. I am so proud and happy for him in turning to Christ and turning his life around to be an amazing husband father and friend. An entertaining and motivating book! Read more
Brenda
Loved this book I LOVED this book. I have read about 27 books since the beginning of the year and this is in the top 3. I had my “born again moment” around 8 years old. . . I am going to buy a few copies of this book to share with many of my “gang” and a few not in my “gang”. Thanks for sharing it. I really couldn’t put it down. - Brenda M., Blue Bell, PA Read more
Richard
Hope I Die Before I Get Old; talking 'bout re-generation Review #1: Readers Favorite® Review by Edith Wairimu Review Rating: 5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Hope I Die Before I Get Old: Talking 'bout Re-generation documents Richard Bonnett’s powerful journey of transformation through his faith in Jesus Christ. From age five to his early teenage years, Bonnett and his best friend were inseparable. As children, their imaginative escapades often got them into trouble. Bonnett’s experiences in a strict Catholic school only served to strengthen his resolve to stay away from Christianity by age sixteen. From this point, he and his friends began to push the boundaries, choosing to engage in more aggressive offenses. Soon, drugs and criminality became a part of his lifestyle until one day he decided to challenge God to prove Himself after a day at a court trial where he and his friends were prepared to lie to a Judge, Jury and Counsel. Unafraid of political incorrectness, Richard Bonnett offers a fresh perspective on faith through his experiences before and after becoming a Christian. The book contains stories from his life that contribute to its greater themes. Not only are they captivating, but they are also told with a touch of humor, and important lessons are drawn from them. The emptiness of living a life of crime is evident from the scenes in the book and the characters’ experiences. The book offers insightful advice and also effectively addresses sensitive topics such as suicide, death, delinquency, and related family strain. It also follows the stories of Bonnett’s friends and what became of them, providing a broader perspective of the themes it explores. In a lucid, conversational approach, Bonnett explains the basis of Christianity. Ultimately, Hope I Die Before I Get Old is a testament to God’s love and the attainment of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Read more