Ronald J Watkins
Encyclopedia
Ronald J. Watkins, b.1945 in Phoenix, AZ is an American writer of non-fiction. The author has also served as ghostwriter, collaborator or editor for more than 30 other books. He is founder and principal writer for Watkins & Associates.
which founded and owned U-Haul International
and of the then unsolved murder of Eva Shoen. When he refused to identify his sources under subpoena he was twice found in contempt by a Federal court, with his position being upheld by the Ninth Circuit
on both occasions. In 1993, the United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit) in Shoen v. Shoen, 5 Frd 1289 (9th Cir. 1993) and in Shoen v. Shoen, 48F 3d 412 (9th Cir.1995). These established case law sustaining the right of authors of non-fiction books to not identify either confidential or non-confidential sources. Watkins was finalist for the PEN American Newman's Own First Amendment Award
for his defense of the First Amendment
.
His first book, High Crimes and Misdemeanors, was an account of the impeachment of Arizona's governor, Evan Mecham
. Written just one year after events and based on hundreds of interviews with participants, it remains the definitive account of the last impeachment of an American governor.
He then published Evil Intentions, the story of the brutal murder of Suzanne Rossetti in Phoenix, Arizona. It was followed a few years later by Against Her Will, the story of the murder of Kelly Tinyes in Valley Stream, Long Island, New York
.
In 2003, John Murray
(UK) published his book, Unknown Seas: How Vasco da Gama
Opened the East. The following year, Watkins was nominated for The Mountbatten Maritime Prize
in the United Kingdom. The book has since been published in Portuguese in Brazil and in Czech in the Czech Republic.
Watkins is co-author with Charles G. Irion on the Summit Murder Series, mystery
novels set on the highest mountains in the world. In all, the Series is projected to include eight books. The first three include: Murder on Everest, Abandoned on Everest, and Murder on Elbrus.
Background
Watkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Justice Studies. Following university, he worked as a probation officer and presentencing investigator for the Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a former chief administrative law judge and was assistant director of the Arizona Department of Insurance where he served as Arizona’s chief insurance fraud investigator.Books
In 1993 he published Birthright, the saga of the Shoen familyLeonard Shoen
Leonard Shoen was an American entrepreneur who founded the U-Haul truck and trailer organization in Ridgefield, Washington. After growing up in the farm belt of the United States during the Great Depression, he envisioned the market for rental vehicles for families who wished to avoid the expense...
which founded and owned U-Haul International
U-Haul
U-Haul International, Inc. is an American equipment rental company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, that has been in operation since 1945. The company was founded by Leonard Shoen U-Haul International, Inc. is an American equipment rental company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, that has been in operation...
and of the then unsolved murder of Eva Shoen. When he refused to identify his sources under subpoena he was twice found in contempt by a Federal court, with his position being upheld by the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
on both occasions. In 1993, the United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit) in Shoen v. Shoen, 5 Frd 1289 (9th Cir. 1993) and in Shoen v. Shoen, 48F 3d 412 (9th Cir.1995). These established case law sustaining the right of authors of non-fiction books to not identify either confidential or non-confidential sources. Watkins was finalist for the PEN American Newman's Own First Amendment Award
PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award
The PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award was presented each spring to a U.S. resident who has fought courageously, despite adversity, to safeguard the First Amendment right to freedom of expression as it applies to the written word. Sponsored by PEN American Center and Newman's Own, a cash prize...
for his defense of the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
.
His first book, High Crimes and Misdemeanors, was an account of the impeachment of Arizona's governor, Evan Mecham
Evan Mecham
Evan Mecham was the 17th Governor of Arizona. A decorated veteran of World War II, Mecham earned his living as an automotive dealership owner and occasional newspaper publisher...
. Written just one year after events and based on hundreds of interviews with participants, it remains the definitive account of the last impeachment of an American governor.
He then published Evil Intentions, the story of the brutal murder of Suzanne Rossetti in Phoenix, Arizona. It was followed a few years later by Against Her Will, the story of the murder of Kelly Tinyes in Valley Stream, Long Island, New York
Valley Stream, New York
Valley Stream is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population in the village of Valley Stream was 37,511 at the 2010 census...
.
In 2003, John Murray
John Murray (publisher)
John Murray is an English publisher, renowned for the authors it has published in its history, including Jane Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Lord Byron, Charles Lyell, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Herman Melville, and Charles Darwin...
(UK) published his book, Unknown Seas: How Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira was a Portuguese explorer, one of the most successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India...
Opened the East. The following year, Watkins was nominated for The Mountbatten Maritime Prize
Mountbatten Maritime Prize
The Mountbatten Maritime Prize is awarded annually by the Maritime Foundation to the author of a distinguished publication that has made a significant contribution to the maritime history of the United Kingdom. The prize is a piece of silver plate...
in the United Kingdom. The book has since been published in Portuguese in Brazil and in Czech in the Czech Republic.
Watkins is co-author with Charles G. Irion on the Summit Murder Series, mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
novels set on the highest mountains in the world. In all, the Series is projected to include eight books. The first three include: Murder on Everest, Abandoned on Everest, and Murder on Elbrus.
Public and Media Appearances
Watkins has been called on by the media and has made a number of television and radio appearances, including:- Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice
- PrimeTime! with Tom Brokow and Katie Couric
- Under Scrutiny with Jane Wallace
- Geraldo with Geraldo Rivera
- American Forum [national radio]
Works
- Murder on Everest (Irion Books, 2010, 328 pp.) ISBN 978-0984161805
- Abandoned on Everest (Irion Books, 2010, 160 pp.) ISBN 978-0984161812
- Unknown Seas (John Murray Publisher UK, 2003, 336 pp.) ISBN 978-0719564178
- Birthright (William Morrow & Co., 1993, 425 pp.) ISBN 978-0688112554
- Evil Intentions (William Morrow & Co., 1992, 296 pp.) ISBN 978-0688102708
- Against Her Will (Pinnacle Books, 1995, 288 pp.) ISBN 978-0786013883
- A Suspicion of Guilt (Virtual Publications, 2001, 376 pp.) ISBN 978-0967950389
- High Crimes and Misdemeanors (William Morrow & Co., 1990, 395 pp.) ISBN 978-0688090517