Dr. James Ball Naylor is a name I had heard since I was a little girl. He was a friend of my grandfather, Joseph Finley Elliott. My grandfather was born in 1859, so he and the good doctor were near the same age. My grandfather was also an intellectual, so his friendship with Dr. Naylor was not a surprise. They had a lot in common. I had read some of Dr. Naylor’s poetry, and I have several of his novels in my home library. I had toured his beautiful home in Malta, which is now owned by Greg and Ellen Hill. Greg and my oldest son, Matt, have been friends since childhood. I knew of Dr. Naylor, but I didn’t “know” Dr. Naylor – that is until I opened the cover to the pages of The Final Test, a Biography of James Ball Naylor , a novel written by Theresa Marie Flaherty – or Terry as she is known to me.

Dr. Naylor came alive for me, and I found myself engrossed in the book, not wanting to put it down until it was finished. Terry spent years researching Dr. Naylor, and she knew her subject well, even though he lived over 100 years ago. The Final Test, a Biography of James Ball Naylor is a wonderful addition to my home library – it is also an exciting read about one of Morgan County’s esteemed citizens. I am happy I became acquainted with him, as well as his biographer.