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About Dr. Ralph Toombs

THE APPALACHIAN pro-bono lawyer, dentist, scuba diving instructor, underwater photographer, helicopter pilot, chemist, biologist, archer, fisherman, backgammon aficionado, hunter: escaping from abject poverty, no plumbing, no electricity, and no hope; extreme family illiteracy and hopelessness, growing up first in deep rural Appalachia; resulted in this child creating a fantastical faux family of hidden wealth, superior intelligence, and a world of playful and magical pookas that he absorbed himself into in desperation; then into the reality of the throws of government housing projects, while battling gangs, drugs, family prostitution, murders, suicides and abandonment; finally escaping through education while being denied his faux inheritance of enormous wealth and power, yet constantly protected at a distance by partly human and presumed enchanted family members.

The Goose Drank Wine tells a riveting tale of this Irish child’s journey, this son of Appalachia, from poverty and illiteracy to enlightenment. Declan’s, THE APPALACHIAN, vivid imagination serves as a refuge from his harsh reality, creating a utopian world. This story is a battle between illiteracy and knowledge, and between fighting and giving up. It’s an inspiring testament to the power of education, self-belief, and resilience, offering hope to those facing adversity. A stirring nonlinear narrative of triumph, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of a better future.

Auteur attorney, Dr. Ralph Toombs, is a man of many talents. Escaping a life of extreme poverty and hopelessness in rural Appalachia, his experiences have inspired his writings, notably this book, The Goose Drank Wine. His resilience and diverse interests make his works particularly appealing to baby boomers, the abused, fantasy lovers, and the well-read.

His story is a testament to the power of hope and determination from a proud APPALACHIAN.

Gallery

A young man in a white shirt and tie.

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A man in sailor 's uniform standing next to palm trees.

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A man in plaid shirt and suspenders holding a cane.