Q&A with Jim Minarik

  

 

 

Jim Minarik is the author of the new memoir Reckoning: A Journey Through Tragedy, Triumph & Transformation. It focuses on the impact on his life of his brother's murder conviction. Also a businessman and former CEO, he lives in California.

 

Q: Why did you decide to write Reckoning?

A: I began writing it for my children, grandchildren, and future generations, so they would know the whole story of my life—not just the business side.

 

As I wrote, I realized how much I had spent trying to outrun the impact of my brother’s crime through achievement. The story grew into an exploration of experiences many people face: tragedy, depression, success, and the search for meaning.

Q: How would you describe your relationship with your brother John?

A: John was my older brother, and I loved him. His crime caused devastating harm, and I have never minimized that. We stayed connected during the 55 years he spent in prison, and I saw how much of his life he devoted to helping others.

 

I hold both truths: he was accountable for what he did, and he was more than the worst thing he ever did.

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: “Reckoning” describes the process of facing what happened, understanding its effect on your life, and asking what matters now. The subtitle—A Journey Through Tragedy, Triumph, and Transcendence—describes the arc of my story.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write the book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: Writing the book was painful, but it helped me see how the events of my life were connected and how long I had been running from difficult questions. I didn’t write it because I had all the answers.

 

I hope readers find their own experiences in it and come away with better questions about identity, purpose, forgiveness, and what matters to them.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I’m focused on sharing Reckoning and speaking with readers about its themes. I remain involved in business and board work, while trying to live with more attention to being, not just doing.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: At its heart, this is a book about what happens to a family after tragedy and how people change over time. I hope it will be useful to readers facing their own challenges. They can learn more at ReadReckoning.com.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb