DAO Jones

Dao Jones and Toby's Trip follows two very different young men as they learn that a successful life includes the ability to recognize and adapt to shifting circumstances.

Dao Jones, follows Brad Jones as he comes to Wall Street. Eager to throw himself into the competitive world of stock trading and underwriting, Brad finds himself an unwilling cog in a trading scam. The experience serendipitously brings him to the Tzu family, who introduce the conflicted young man to Daoism. Exploring the Eastern philosophy helps Brad reevaluate what he truly values in life.

Toby's Trip, a philosophical counterpart to Dao Jones, follows Toby and his friend as their relationship grows and changes between junior high and their high school graduation. Both boys find their futures laid out along unexpected paths-the narrator's through a love of swimming and Toby's through his talent for programming and encryption.

Charles Weeden's poignant and realistic tales explore the importance of learning how to recognize and seize opportunity, while sending an optimistic message to those who, like Toby and Brad, traverse the sometimes treacherous road to emotional maturity and a fulfilling adult life. To read Weeden is to read about life, with all its complexity, setbacks, and successes.