Run of The Leopard Dogs: How I Escaped Terror, Insanity, Suicide, and a Deranged South Texas Tyrant is a memoir by R. H. Edgington. Nonnie was born with a bodily disfigurement that made him very self-conscious, especially in school, where other young boys would tease him. Jeff, his stepfather, continuously abused him verbally, physically, and mentally. He claimed that Nonnie was lazy and lacked discipline. Nonnie was mistreated by his next stepfather as well. He was treated as if it were Nonnie's duty to serve him. Abandonment for long periods of time became another form of mental abuse that made Nonnie feel as if he were to blame for the neglect and abuse he had suffered. Not only did he feel shame and guilt over the abuse, neglect, and abandonment, but his mother did, too.

Run of The Leopard Dogs is a well-written memoir of the abuse the author faced throughout his life. The hardships and unending fear and shame of a victim become more and more pronounced as the narrative progresses. I find it inspiring that R. H. Edgington found the courage to put into words the pain and suffering he faced. I have no doubt that anyone who reads this book will quickly realize that they are not alone in their abuse and can move forward even when they don’t think they can. I recommend Run of The Leopard Dogs to anyone who enjoys reading about the real-life experiences of others, especially those who are interested in stories of overcoming the effects of childhood abuse.

Run of the Leopard Dogs by R.H. Edgington is a profoundly moving memoir chronicling a young boy's journey through harrowing oppression, despair, and the relentless struggle for survival. Born into hardship and with a birth anomaly that shatters his self-worth, Ronnie faces unspeakable abuse from his first stepfather. The narrative is haunting, depicting leather-belt beatings and a chilling experience as the witness to his stepfather's slow demise. It's a distressing entry into a dark and desolate world where cruelty reigns. As the story unfolds, Ronnie is thrust into an even more brutal environment under the oppressive reign of Mitch Teel, his second stepfather. Isolated and abandoned in a remote ranch house, Ronnie's only solace is a pack of Catahoula Cur Leopard Dogs. The memoir examines Ronnie's desperate struggle against mental deterioration, haunting thoughts of suicide, and the grip of a malevolent house.

Edgington's narrative deeply explores Ronnie's internal conflict, the constant tug-of-war between despair and resilience. The recurrent themes of suicide and despair weigh heavily, painting a stark picture of the darkness Ronnie battles against. However, amidst the gloom, the memoir carries a potent message of hope, serendipitous inspiration, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. This is an unflinching account that shows the worst aspects of humanity, depicting moments that are unsettling and haunting. Yet, the story's beauty lies in the moments of light that pierce through the darkness, igniting the ember of hope. Run of the Leopard Dogs is a deeply affecting memoir that resonates with poignant storytelling, human resilience, and the search for salvation in the face of relentless adversity. R.H. Edgington’s superior storytelling will have any reader engaged and the author has the extraordinary ability to capture the conflicting emotions of the key personality in the story. It is a deeply moving memoir that will make readers experience a flood of diverse emotions.

Having known Ronnie in his middle school years, I never knew what hell he was living through. It's remarkable that he was able to survive and overcome, and become what he is today. His story opened my eyes to the fact that we never know what someone else is going through, so we need to do our best to be kind at all times.

“…a painfully honest story of a child overcoming all odds to become the person he was meant to be. A gripping and sometimes horrifying read.”

“…a disturbing story that will linger in your mind long after the last page, Ronnie’s memoir will stick the ugliest clips of humanity right in your face and make you want to turn away, your shock and disgust quelled only by the intervention of a few beautiful saviors, serendipitous inspiration, and hope in the dark chasms of hopelessness.”

“This true story depicts what the human spirit can overcome against the worst of circumstances. A reminder that there are people we come across in our lives who have an indelible impact without ever knowing it. Those people become our saviors.”

“A remarkable autobiographical masterpiece that penetrates every facet of the human psyche. This truly exceptional work of art skillfully encapsulates the intricate tapestry of human experiences, possessing the ability to deeply resonate with readers by eliciting their emotions, stimulating their intellect, and instilling a profound sense of inspiration.”

“…a great song should evoke emotion. Well this book evokes emotion! It is captivating, gut-wrenching, joyous, thought-provoking, uplifting, inspirational, eye-opening … it’s an amazing piece of art.”

“What can I say but WOW! Powerful and amazingly written… Could not put it down. A page turner for sure! You actually feel like your in the story with Ron and you feel the raw emotion he felt. I have recommended this book to everyone I know.”

“I was taught long ago that ‘hard writing makes for easy reading’. This book has some seriously hard writing. The incidents and circumstances are brutal and the story is full of incredibly courageous honesty.”

“… a profound and shocking tale of survival, this story recounts years of unspeakable horror and pain Ronnie suffered as a young boy. The scene descriptions are so riveting the story will leave you on the verge of disgust one minute, and the next you’ll be on your feet cheering as Ronnie fights for a normal life.”