“Daniel: Investing in Family” by Peter Pactor

• 07/06/2022
• no comments

Daniel: Investing in Family

Peter Pactor
Friesen Press (2022)
ISBN: 978-1039128613
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (07/2022)

“Daniel: Investing in Family” is the seventh book in Peter Pactor’s Daniel series. This story begins with Daniel and his legally adopted sons. The sixteen-year-old boys are not much older than he is, and they have dealt with a lot of hardship. When they say it takes a village to raise a child, that is also true with Daniel’s family. His own family members, mentors and friends also play a role in the lives of these young men.

Daniel’s life is still very busy. He has become president of Cornwall Academy, while he is a director for alternative education at Harvard and Columbia. He also still writes a column, presents, fundraises, owns and is CEO of a bank, and founder of two large relief funds. As this story progresses, he also continues to add to his family with more sons. While Daniel appears to have it all and is extremely active, he also continues to strive to make the world a better place. It starts at home with his sons and extends outward with his relief funds and commitment to help others become educated. Education is truly the best way to escape poverty.

Having followed most of the series, I feel like Daniel, his friends and his family are very familiar to me, and I looked forward to reading about their latest endeavors. As with Pactor’s other books, many life lessons are interspersed through these pages. On a global scale, we learn about how the economy still needs to recover. Some of the information gained from that can be applied to our own financial situation today. The story also teaches a lot about history by discussing events that were happening during that time. Seeing it through the eyes of the characters makes it so much easier to visualize how difficult it must have been for people during those times.

Poverty, starvation, homelessness, and child abuse factored in heavily. In this book, the protagonist expresses his concerns about these issues and takes action to help the supporting characters avoid going to the justifiably dreaded orphanages. I know this to be true because I had a great grandmother who did the same. She had fourteen of her own children but continued to take in any child needing a home, so that they had a safe place. Homelessness and food insecurity were the reality for so many people during that time.

Daniel’s faith and desire to make a difference in the world make this an inspirational story that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I feel that younger readers will find themselves interested in learning more about history too! I highly recommend the entire Daniel series by Peter Pactor.