Official Website of Amazon Kindle Best Selling Author
Sam Skinner
The Pipers glory
That’s Sam on the left along with the Drum Major of the Highlanders of Oklahoma City.
Amazon Kindle Best Seller
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Strong story blending music and history
October 12, 2018
5 stars
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The Piper’s Glory by Sam Skinner is a compelling blend of history and music. Specifically, the significance of the Scottish tradition of using the bagpipe in battle. The story begins with the joining of the Scottish MacGregor family to the American Starnes family. Lucy MacGregor is charmed by the rough Texan Buck Starnes and, though her family has reservations, the two are married. The story continues through the couple’s twin sons, Pate and Billy who have very different childhood experiences due to unforeseen circumstances. Lucy’s father, Archibald MacGregor is known for playing the bagpipes, the real passion of his life, so he is the character that assumes the handing down of tradition to his grandsons. The novel’s plot weaves history with music through the MacGregors and Starnes families in a fine-tuned narrative that lovers of history and/or music will enjoy. The author’s love and knowledge of his subject is evident throughout the novel as the plot leads its characters through life in Scotland and the American West of the late 19th Century, including loss, war, and the joy of family.
Included in the appendix is a list of famous pipers from history with information of the battles in which they fought and a selection of Scottish poems and songs. The author’s blending of American and Scottish history and his informative inclusion of the historical importance of the bagpipe, makes for an intriguing read. With its strong story, historical setting, and included appendices, this is one of those books one will refer to again and again.
Kat Kennedy
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
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Sam 2nd row left wearing the Black Stewart Tartan
My Story
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Sam Skinner is an avid history buff, anglophile, music lover, and rebel among other things. If you know history you know the rebel part is pure Clan MacGregor.
After playing and performing as a drummer on the three different pipe band drums in the Houston Highlanders and winning a bass drum competition Sam decided to try playing the bagpipes. His pipe major at the time was smarter than Sam and encouraged him by saying, “Och! Yaur too auld! Ye cannae do it!” This of course was a challenge Sam found unable to resist.
That was twenty plus years ago. After much learning, practicing, and playing I guess I showed him. It’s been great and grand! I still count all my band mates past and present as lifetime pals.
I had to write this story (The Pipers Glory). There is a lot of my story in this book.
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Sam Skinner born in New Mexico started school on Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, a few years later his family was transferred to Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Sam has crossed the Gulf of Mexico several times, in the famous Regatta de Amigos sailboat races. His hobbies include motorcycles, writing, and playing bagpipes with the Highlanders of Oklahoma City.
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With deep roots in the West Texas and New Mexico ranching, oil, and western saddlery trades, Sam Skinner grew up hearing stories and legends of the West. His vivid imagination brought them all together in the Legend and Adventures of Bob Wire. Until he was about 13 years old, he only knew “bob wire,” not barbed wire. You could say he’s known Bob Wire all his life. He loves telling stories and hopes you will enjoy reading them just as much.
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Sam also has deep roots at Texas Tech. He attended Amarillo Palo Duro High School where earned a track scholarship to Texas Tech. Many family members and friends of several generations attended Tech. Sam’s high school principal was captain of the first Texas Tech football team.
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Sam Skinner also has deep roots in Houston, Texas, having lived there for 25 years. While there, he owned and operated a cattle business and a saddle business, as well as working in sales and management for Purina Mills. He is also a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and worked for several years on the Calf Scramble and Parade committees.
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Sam Skinner’s family has been involved in the leather business in New Mexico and Texas for over 100 years. As far back as the 1890’s they were bootmakers, harness makers, and ranchers. Saddle and tack manufacturing, as well wholesale and retail operations in tack, saddles, boots, and western wear were his birthright. Sam was a rep for and CEO of Action Co. (brand names such as Billy Cook Saddlery, Tex-Tan Hereford, Simco) at
different times. Himself and/or members of his family have been heavily involved in design and development of many of today’s popular equine products and companies.
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Below is a list of related family companies thru the years:
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Skinner’s – Portales, New Mexico (still operating, since 1928)
Skinner’s – Clovis, NM
Texas Saddlery Company – Amarillo and Clarendon, Texas
Texas Horse Pads – Quitaque, TX
Country Western Store – Amarillo, TX
Baker & Starnes – Porter, TX
Skinner & Co. Manufacturers Agents – Katy, Tx
Skinner Sales Co. – Amarillo, Tx
Skinner’s Quality Boots – Amarillo, TX
The other side of his family were ranchers, cotton farmers, oil field workers, and U.S. Air Force career non-coms. Sam grew up on military bases all over the world, went 14 different schools from the 1st to the 6th grades. His grandfather, Vic Starnes, ranched on 17 sections near San Jon, NM where Sam attended 2nd grade.
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Reviews
KINJITSU
Sam Skinner’s, “Kinjitsu: A Thrilling Tale of Deceit, Desire, and Struggle- a Fearless Salute to the Future,” a dramatic adventure that follows Frank Simmons across the Pacific Ocean. He is a great character that Skinner took the time to develop and mold, which I appreciate, because I find dynamic and multi-faceted characters to be something that makes a plot become even stronger. He is obviously an individual who is of sound mind, but also has some questionable flaws, but that is what makes him human and exceptionally relatable. His character development throughout the story is fascinating, as it is a parallel to his devotion to protecting Kinjitsu. There is quite a bit of dichotomy within the story, the highs and lows are eloquently written and makes you shift your mood as you read through the various situations. It was very entertaining to say the least for the connections that Skinner made throughout the course of the story.
Highly Enjoyable
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November 28, 2017
Cowboy legends are often spun sitting around camp fires out in the middle of wide open lands where the night sky is bright with twinkling stars. The Legend and Adventures of Bob Wire stem from stories generations old spun by ranchers, oilfield roughnecks, and leather craftsman. Stories told over time can become bigger than when they were first told. Each legend, at its core, has a life lesson weaved through it. The story of Bob Wire is no different. Supposedly, Bob Wire’s mother was an Oklahoma Chickasaw maiden. Some say she was a Louisiana belle from New Orleans. It’s also rumored that his grandfather was Sam Houston, the seventh Governor of Texas. Bob Wire would ride a black panther and used a rattlesnake for a whip. He learned the oil business and would help when bad weather arose or when foes showed up to rob or create havoc. Author Sam Skinner’s legend gets bigger and bigger as readers flip through the pages. Young readers will be engaged with old fashioned illustrations that bring the main characters western feel and his world to life. Simple sentences and familiar objects make for a fun read.
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