RALPH'S JOURNEY, a fascinating and riveting adventure novel that offers social commentary and political opinions while dispensing philosophical advice, is written in the tradition of "Oklahoma Tough" by Ron Padgett and "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. It chronicles the life of Angel Raphael Johnson (AKA Ralph Johnson) from the time he is born in remote, rural Oklahoma through his young adulthood as he becomes associated with organized crime figures in Tulsa. It follows him as he leaves town one step ahead of the police and travels to California and Oregon. This is a forceful and enchanting book about a rebellious young man with violent tendencies and his exploits on the outskirts of the law. Characters include bootleggers, mafia figures, police investigators, and adult mentors. In the end, it is a story about how redemption is possible if a young person can accept mentoring and make the right choices in life. This gripping story is an absolute must read for all fans of a tale well told.