“I live in a holler, and I’ve heard some folks talk that holler bunch won’t amount to a hill of beans, and I’ve heard others say that the sun never shines in those hollers.” “My mother let me know I was as good as anyone. ‘Ralph, don’t walk with your head down. There’s nothing shameful about running out of taters.’” “My daddy said, ‘Ralph, don’t quit. Quitting follows you to the grave.’” The philosophy in these words was with Ralph from the time of his childhood. He heard them from relatives and witnessed the people around him live them.
A young retraces his childhood to discover the influences in his life. He rememberers the coal camp and his interaction with the residents and the desire to leave: "I just don't like this place anymore Mother." It was here his Mother instilled in him a philosophy that followed him throughout his life. "Ralph don't walk with your head down; there's nothing shameful about running out of taters or livin' in a holler. When asked by a stranger why he walked with his head down he replied;"I live in a holler, and I've heard some folks talk that holler bunch won't amount to a hill of beans, and I've heard others say that the sun never shines in those hollers. I'll tell you something, Mister. I'm going to make something out of myself. I ain't going to let that coal dust kill me or die under a rock slide. I love the miners and their hard work makin' a living. When I die I want people to know I tried."
A historical novel based on a true story about an amazing early twentieth-century woman. She stood out in a crowd of friends and relatives from Casteltermini, a small town in central Sicily. Her story sheds light on a little-known segment of a twentieth-century diaspora, a mass-exodus from Europe by some "huddled masses yearning to be free." This oppressed group fled the dire poverty of Sicily and southern Italy to endure a subsistence lifestyle bestowed by the owners of the coal mining industry and early American factories. She was surrounded by a clan of families. They were determined to achieve a better lifestyle through sheer hard work, struggling to overcome hardships and failures on the journey to success. They came with barely the clothes on their back. Eager for work, they spoke no English and were willing to do what the average, better-educated American refused to do. This amazing woman, Maria, was married to a lackluster, strong-tempered, tough, fearless, uneducated man who never worked a steady job his entire life. She endured a series of traumas---miscarriages and still births, each time berated by her husband for not delivering a healthy child. Starting at age twelve and until she died, her immediate family was her life. Maria passed her work ethic, her entrepreneurial skills, and her determination to get ahead to her children. Her legacy lives on in the succeeding generation of the clan who were better educated and became doctors, dentists, pharmacists, accountants, attorneys, and professors. Some became entrepreneurs like Maria, owning small and large businesses. There was one common denominator: they inherited the hard work ethic and generosity from their parents. The story begins in 1915.
In "The Buried Treasure; Or, Old Jordan's 'Haunt'", Harry Castlemon expertly weaves a tale of adventure and mystery set against the backdrop of the American frontier. Written in the late 19th century, this book showcases Castlemon's ability to capture the spirit of the era through vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. The story follows a group of young protagonists as they embark on a thrilling journey to uncover a hidden treasure, facing dangers and dilemmas along the way. Castlemon's narrative style evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, making this a compelling read for fans of historical fiction. One can appreciate the author's attention to detail and his portrayal of characters with depth and nuance, adding layers of complexity to the plot. Harry Castlemon's keen storytelling skills shine through in this captivating adventure tale, making it a must-read for those interested in the exploration of untold mysteries and lost treasures of the past.
Steve details his descent from bright star to burnout in this newly repackaged edition of the definitive, highly acclaimed novel from the creator of Veronica Mars and Party Down. Houston, sophomore year: Steve is on top of the world. He and his friends are the talk of the school. He’s in love with a terrific girl. He can even deal with “the astronaut”—a world-famous hero who happens to be his father. San Diego, senior year: Steve is bummed out, drugged out, flunking out. A no-nonsense counselor says he can graduate if he writes a 100-page paper. So Steve starts writing, and as the paper becomes more and more personal, he reveals how a National Merit Scholar has become an under-achieving stoner. And in telling how he got to where he is, Steve discovers how to get to where he wants to be.
