Publisher's Synopsis
These connected stories show how character is forged - and bring to life a city, an era, and a way of life gone by but not forgotten. Why might you be interested? Because the author's stories are about circumstances and events that shape us. Things like: turning failure into success, neglect into good works, forced obedience into resistance. Also explored are: the importance of community, religious belief, the effects of poverty, and older styles of doctoring and schooling. We'll go into a mine 1000 feet underground, visit Coney Island in its heyday, hike across the Grand Canyon, learn a can't lose strategy for gambling in Las Vegas, and witness the political skill of a future president. We'll also see how luck can help one to serve their country. We'll recall early experiences with the opposite sex, see bias up close, learn how handicaps were overcome, and go to an Ivy League school. The book is populated by fascinating people, places and ideas.
