[BREAKING NEWS: David’s latest book is, “JFK’S GHOST: Kennedy, Sorensen, and the Making of Profiles in Courage,” (LYON’S PRESS, June 2021). Here’s the Amazon Link.]
DAVID R. STOKES has written several highly-regarded works of fiction and nonfiction, as well as two screenplays.
His first book, THE SHOOTING SALVATIONIST: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America (Steerforth Press/Penguin Random House, 2011, Foreword by BOB SCHIEFFER, CBS News), a narrative non-fiction thriller set in the 1920s, quickly became a Wall Street Journal best-seller. BOOKLIST, in a starred review, said: “The book is engagingly written, in an immediate, you-are-there style, and the story is as compelling and surprising as any Grisham thriller. Top of the line.”
This book has been recently revised and enhanced with more than 30,000 words of new material and re-released as APPARENT DANGER: The Pastor of America’s First Megachurch and the Texas Murder Trial of the Decade in the 1920s (Critical Mass Books).
His next book was an espionage novel. CAMELOT’S COUSIN: The Spy Who Betrayed Kennedy now has more than 330 enthusiastic Amazon customer reviews, averaging 4.6 out of a possible 5 stars. David has also written a screenplay adaptation of this story which has been optioned in Hollywood by actor Blair Underwood.
Two of his books are “based on a true story” novels. JACK & DICK: When Kennedy Met Nixon describes the very first Kennedy-Nixon debate which took place in 1947, thirteen years before the two men ran against each other for the presidency in 1960. David brings this long-overlooked story to life and recreates a fascinating conversation between the two future presidents that took place on an over-night train ride back to Washington, DC. He has also written a screenplay based on this fascinating story.
JAKE & CLARA: Scandal, Politics, Hollywood, and Murder, is a dramatized, but factual account of a fascinating story that captivated American in 1921. A wealthy oil man who bankrolled much of Warren Harding’s successful run for the White House, was shot and killed by his mistress before Harding could reward him with high office.
David first began working in radio during college days in the mid-1970s. Since those days, he has had his own national XM satellite radio talk show and has been a frequent guest-host for talk shows in across the country. Over the years he has interviewed hundreds of political leaders, authors, media personalities, historians, and business leaders. In addition, he has done voice over work, including projects for a Smithsonian affiliate and a presidential library. Political commentator Bob Beckel says: “Here’s a preacher who can range from ancient history, to political history, to current events with ease.”
An ordained minister for more than 40 years, he has led congregations in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and New York. David served as Senior Pastor of Expectation Church in Fairfax, Virginia from 1998 until his retirement in January 2019. He now focuses full-time on his writing projects, as well as ghostwriting.
Along with his early college degrees in ministry and theology, David earned a Bachelor’s degree in history (Excelsior College–State University of New York), as well has a Master’s degree in Political Science (Long Island University – C.W. Post College).
David has been married to his wife Karen for more than 45 years, and they have three wonderful daughters and seven incredible grandchildren.
On twitter find him @DavidRStokes. Visit his author page on Facebook.
Check out David’s AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE.
DAVIDRSTOKES.COM 
Just read your article in the Trib.
Thank you, very thought-provoking and interesting.
Also, enjoyed your book, “The Shooting Salvationist.”
That was the first book I ever downloaded on my iPad.
Thank you so much for all.
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Thank you! — DRS
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