Richard LaMotte
Award-winning Author
It's Here!
October 24, 2023
Follow His Lead
The Human - Animal bond can forever heal us.
After the sudden death of his father, Chuck must leave college. He enlists in the Army where he trains to be a scout dog handler before landing in Vietnam. His experiences are woven into an exciting ride between humor and suspense, while a deep bond between man and his dog ends up affecting many in unexpected ways. Trust, loyalty, and unconditional love replace his anger and reset the course of his life. A soldier's motto is "No man left behind," but what about the future of his dog?
FOLLOW HIS LEAD has become
a FINALIST for a Hemingway Award for outstanding works for
20th Century Wartime Fiction.
Available through your local bookstore
Reviews for
Follow His Lead
"LaMotte's insightful descriptions of protagonist dog Zeke -- his true to life body and head movements, his intuitively brave actions and behavior, his intelligence and awareness, his loyalty to his handler -- all work together to make a great read for those who want to learn more about the incredible teamwork that takes place between a man and his partner dog under the most stressful wartime conditions. A war does not end until the last of the many stories of the war are told, and this is one you will not want to miss."
-Col. US Army (Ret.) Joseph Tedeschi
Click to Watch the Book Trailer
"One would never know that you weren't in Vietnam by your detailed description of places and events. It is like I stepped into a time machine while reading. Memories long-forgotten awakened vividly my time there with the dogs. I always loved dogs as a child, but working with these [dogs] took it to a whole different level. The thought of leaving those amazing animals behind has haunted me for over 50 years."
-Sp4 Mike Gillern, Vietnam Vet Tech
As featured in the Nov 1, 2023 issue
"Follow His Lead is a compelling and little known story of the Vietnam War. It will define the military jargon and brotherhood of war dog handlers. You will better understand how the German Shepherd Infantry Scout Dog’s early silent warnings saved countless lives in the dark jungles infested with camouflaged anti-personnel traps, hidden enemy snipers and ambushes. If you want to learn what it was like to walk point with a dog into enemy territory, then read “FOLLOW HIS LEAD.” - Master Sgt. US Army (Ret.)
John C. Burnam, Author, Canine Warrior
Founder, US Military Working Dogs Monument
Appearances
November 4, 2023 (5:00-6:30pm) BOOK LAUNCH - Chestertown, MD
Kent Cultural Alliance - Reading (with actors) and Reception
November 11, 2023 (11:00-3:00pm) Book Signing - Easton, MD
The Trippe Gallery, during Easton's Waterfowl Festival
November 18, 2023 (10:00am - 4:00pm) Book Signing - St. Michaels, MD
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
March 3, 2024 (3:00pm) Book Signing & Reading - Capitol Hill, DC
301 10th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
March 6, 2024 (6:00pm) Book Signing & Reading - Chestertown, MD
The Bookplate Bookstore Author Event - The Imperial Hotel
Author Richard LaMotte
The author of the award-winning Pure Sea Glass and The Lure of Sea Glass presents his debut historical fiction novel Follow His Lead. Inspired by the emotional connections between pets and their masters, LaMotte did detailed research on scout dogs in the Vietnam war. The result is a heart-warming, yet gripping, drama infused with humor that will delight both men and women.