The Long Game

Some lessons only come from a life fully lived.

In The Long Game: Short Writings on Ideas That Last, Jerry G. Banks - real estate investor, father, grandfather, and author of the best-selling memoir Eat Sh*t and Smile! - shares a collection of short reflections drawn from decades of experience, loss, faith, and renewal.

These are not self-help prescriptions or motivational slogans. They are the honest observations of a man who spent twelve years on a 255-acre farm learning what solitude teaches, who built a career on patience and resilience, and who has come to trust the spiritual forces that defy easy explanation.

Organized into five sections - Nature & Spirituality, Family, Resilience & Growth, Essays, and Reflections on Living Well - the book moves through the landscapes of one life with warmth, wisdom, and a plainspoken voice that stays with you long after you've turned the page.

Each piece is brief. Each one is meant to last.

Whether he's sitting on the dock of his farm pond on a quiet Sunday morning, reflecting on what his grandchildren have taught him about presence, or confronting the loneliness that follows reinvention, Banks writes for anyone who has ever wondered whether the things that matter most are the things we almost overlook.

A book to read slowly, return to often, and share with the people who matter most.

The Long Game is for readers who love thoughtful essay collections, books on faith and nature, personal memoirs, and reflections on aging, gratitude, and living with purpose. Perfect for book clubs, gift giving, and quiet mornings with coffee.

Author: Jerry G. Banks
Publisher: Story Gold Media
Published: 03/31/2026
Pages: 188
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9798234019059

About the Author
Banks, Jerry G.: - "Jerry G. Banks is the Principal and Founder of Jerry Banks Group (JBG), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. JBG owns and operates investment properties across five states, including apartments, retail, and development properties. Jerry is also active in real estate consulting and mentoring.Prior to forming JBG in 2016, Jerry was Portfolio Director of Real Estate and Partner at NewStreet Properties, LLC, which he co-founded in 1992 with financial partner Allan Lozier. Over a 23-year career at NewStreet, Jerry was directly responsible for over $1.5 billion in investment transactions, including the acquisition of more than 8,000 apartment units and millions of square feet of industrial, retail, and office properties across major U.S. markets.In 2016, Jerry was inducted by a panel of real estate peers into the Nebraska Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame.Jerry currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of Directors for Dakota REIT based in Fargo, North Dakota, and on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, where he was also a board member for fifteen years. He serves on the Investment Committee of the Western Iowa Community Foundation and the Steering Committee for the SW Iowa Women's Fund. Previous board service includes the Western Iowa Community Foundation (Chairman), the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce (Chairman), the Council Bluffs Industrial Foundation (Chairman), Easter Seals of Nebraska, and Children's Square, USA.Jerry is the author of the best-selling book Eat Sh*t and Smile! - Surviving and Thriving on the Roller Coaster of Life, with a foreword by Creighton University Head Basketball Coach Greg McDermott. The book is now available as an audiobook narrated by the author on Audible, Apple Books, and all major listening platforms. The Long Game: Short Writings on Ideas That Last is his second book.Jerry was born and raised in Glenwood, Iowa."Thole, James: - James Thole is a professional ghostwriter specializing in business books, memoirs, and personal development content. With a double major in Creative Writing and Media Arts from the University of Arizona and a Ghostwriting Professional Designation from California State University, Long Beach, he brings both formal training and 10 years of practical experience to every project.James has ghostwritten multiple published books for entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders, helping them transform their expertise into compelling narratives that build authority and open doors. His work spans business leadership, resilience and personal growth, and entrepreneurial success stories-always with a focus on capturing authentic voice while delivering strategic, reader-focused manuscripts.Before specializing in ghostwriting, James spent a decade as a copywriter and brand messaging strategist, developing high-converting content for businesses across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and professional services. This background gives him a unique advantage in understanding not just how to write well, but how to position authors strategically and craft books that achieve specific business outcomes.James works with clients through his practice, Story Gold Media, offering full-service book development from discovery and outlining through final manuscript delivery, publishing, and marketing. He's known for his collaborative approach, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage complex projects while maintaining deadlines and exceeding client expectations.His clients consistently praise his rare gift for capturing voice, bringing clarity and structure to their ideas, and delivering manuscripts they're genuinely proud to call their own-even when their name is the only one on the cover.

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