Life Legacy Books
Presented by John Freeman, Point PR Communications
Self-published soft-cover books based on first-person oral conversations
designed as limited-edition legacy gifts for family members and friends.
Click on any cover above for more information.
Ted Talks
Controversial, outrageous and hilarious, Ted Leitner has been the enduring voice of San Diego’s sports scene since 1978. “Uncle Teddy” talks his way through his peripatetic career and often-chaotic family life, stories told with uproarious humor and heartfelt memories.
Down Deep
The story of Capt. Charlie MacVean, skipper of the submarine USS Seawolf who led dangerous, still-classified undersea missions of the Cold War era’s interactions with Russian adversaries. He was also an original member of Dartmouth’s infamous Animal House fraternity.
House Calls
Stories from the expansive medical files of Point Loma-based Dr. C. Gresham Bayne, widely regarded as “the godfather of home-care medicine” with his ground-breaking medical service that gained national recognition in the 1980s and ’90s.
Hopes and Dreams
Tracing the adventures of Point Loma’s Frank and Barbara Hope. One of San Diego’s most influential twentieth-century architects, Frank traveled the world with his wife and the couple lived on a yacht in Shelter Island into their 80s.
Dear Andy and Sally
As a project manager, John Shoemaker oversaw the development of numerous major projects in San Diego, highlighted by Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley Center and Vacation Village. With his wife Mary Lou, the book is a tribute to their two children.
A Velvet Gavel
The story of Judge Lawrence Irving, the highly respected San Diego federal jurist and mediator who presided over the record-setting $7.2 billion Enron settlement and dozens of other notable local and national legal wrangles.
Astounding
A pictorial history of San Diego, with mini-profiles of celebrities, scientists, explorers, aviators, athletes, authors, artists, and scoundrels who shaped and re-shaped our city, along with more than a century’s worth of revelations, discoveries and oddities.
Land of Opportunity
Tracing the inspiring journey of Gerry and Angie Tubao, faith-driven Filipino immigrants of modest means who came to the U.S. in their early 20s and made a fortune by investing in South San Diego real estate in the 1970s.
Bless Those Pests
Conversations with Jim and Sue Ogle, who grew Lloyd Pest Control into one of the region’s top pest control firms from its start in 1930 by Jim’s father. Going back seven generations, Sue’s family arrived in San Diego County in the mid-1800s.
Building Block
An inspiring look into the ups and downs of pro basketball, through the eyes of John Block, who played in the NBA for 10 seasons with seven teams. He later served as head coach at a succession of faith-based colleges, including San Diego’s Point Loma Nazarene University.
(Edited by John Freeman)
Doctor Ned
A compilation of memories, reflections and stories that pay respectful, even hilarious tribute to the late Dr. Ned Chambers. A graduate of Point Loma High, Stanford and Cincinnati Medical School, Doctor Ned was a leading light of the community and the author’s best friend since age 5.
(Compiled by John Freeman)
Dear Shawn…
Master story-telling by John L. Baldwin, a San Diego-based real-estate investor who made his fortune building and managing Southern California’s most livable mobile home parks. Themed as a gift to his son and energized by Baldwin’s savvy risk-taking and zest for life in spite of health setbacks.
The Art of Healing
Lessons learned by Dr. Alfredo Ratniewski through a half-century of practicing medicine in Tijuana and San Diego County, motivated by his devotion to providing care and comfort to the underserved.
Creative Services
- Professional interviewing, writing and editing that fully captures an individual’s and/or family’s life and times with grace, style and sensitivity
- Creative use of first-person story-telling, based on conversational Q&A format
- Added editorial perspective, shape and polish provided by experienced writer/editor who meets weekly with you in a relaxed setting
Sample Topics
- Reflections/early years
- Childhood and growing up
- Family stories
- Friends and influences
- College years/Military service
- Early years of adulthood
- Business successes, challenges
- Personal life and times
- Surprises and regrets
- What you’re most proud of
Fees
- Negotiable based on length of book and copies desired
Time frame
- 2-6 months (approx)
Goal
- Faithfully reflect memories and reflections of your life and times, creating a lasting legacy to be cherished by family members and friends.