My and Mike Yorkey’s book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, was just awarded a Gold Medal by The Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews and Awards.

The Gold Medal was in the Non-Fiction Biography category of the Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews’ 2025 International Book Awards.

Here’s their Press Release:

Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that “At First Light” by Walt Larimore and Mike Yorkey won the Gold Medal in the Non-Fiction Biography category in its annual international book award contest. The book is currently on Amazon.com at https://amzn.to/3Lp0MCw.

The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities.

Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

Readers’ Favorite receives submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America).

You can learn more about Walt Larimore, Mike Yorkey, and “At First Light” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/at-first-light where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.

Readers’ Favorite LLC
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202
800-RF-REVIEW
support@readersfavorite.com https://readersfavorite.com

Here’s the 5-Star Review on which the award was based:

Reviewed by: Asher Syed

Review Rating: 5 Stars

At First Light by Walt Larimore and Mike Yorkey is the biography of Phil Larimore, who was raised in Memphis during the 1930s and mastered navigation, survival, and horseback riding from a young age. Having trouble academically, he was sent to a military school, which set him on a path to enlist after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Just before turning eighteen, he became the youngest graduate of Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. In early 1944, he led a platoon delivering ammunition under fire in Europe’s combat zones, fighting through Italy, France, and Germany. Promoted at twenty, he became the youngest company commander, earning almost every major valor award.

At First Light tells the remarkable true story of a young officer whose life in World War II reads like a script pulled from forgotten archives of American bravery. From battlefield leadership to a post-war mission few could imagine, Phil Larimore’s journey is filled with moments that speak of grit, duty, and heart.

The authors bring the past to life with a clear sense of place and time, balancing historical accuracy with storytelling that moves with purpose.

The book doesn’t just recount events, it honors them, reminding readers of the cost of freedom and the character of those who fought to defend it.

This isn’t just a war story; it’s a story about what it means to lead, to serve, and to carry a legacy worth remembering.

A truly unforgettable read.

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