Stories that
inspire change
A heartfelt and vivid story of a young man growing up during America’s most turbulent decade—where the innocence of childhood meets the reality of war, social change, and national heartbreak.
Stories that
about author
About the Author
Charles Vaughn was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1950 and raised as the youngest of three brothers. Following his 1969 graduation from Ottumwa High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Midway. Once his military service ended, Vaughn transitioned into a healthcare career, working first in emergency and surgical departments before becoming a physician assistant in Arizona.
Vaughn has been happily married to his wife, Denice, since 1974. Together, they have raised two daughters, Meredith and Maggie. Now living in Gilbert, Arizona, they want to spend their time with their grandchildren.
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book description
A young boy’s life in a small Iowa town changes forever on the day he hears that President Kennedy has been killed, and nothing afterwards seems normal, not for him, his family, or the country with which he identifies.
A Change Is Going to Come is set in the 1960s and follows the life of Phillip McManus as he grows up within a period of significant change and unrest. The story shows how an entire generation moved from innocence in childhood to asking hard questions about war, justice, faith, and freedom.
From families watching protests and war on their living-room TV to quiet talks around the kitchen table, Vaughn reveals how ordinary people lived through history without realizing it. A Change Is Going to Come is a moving story about family and strength, and of one generation that learned to speak up and helped reshape America.
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Books That Inspire Change
About the Book
A Change Is Going to Come: Growing up in the 60s
A Change Is Going to Come is a powerful coming-of-age story set against one of the most turbulent eras in American history. Blending fact with fiction, the book follows the McManus family—especially the youngest son, Phillip—as they navigate the shockwaves of national tragedy, cultural upheaval, and the Vietnam War.
Through the eyes of an ordinary Iowa family, readers experience the events that shaped a generation:
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The assassination of President John F. Kennedy
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The civil rights movement
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The rise of rock and roll
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The Vietnam conflict
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The changing expectations placed on young Americans
The book captures the fear, hope, and transformation of the 1960s in a deeply personal way—showing how major national events reached into small towns, living rooms, and families across the country.
Although names and some events are changed, the emotional truth remains real. Charles Vaughn uses his own memories, military experience, and family background to bring authenticity and warmth to every page.
It is a story about growing up, questioning the world, finding courage, and discovering who you are at a time when the world itself was being forced to change.
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