MESA, Ariz. - s4story -- Synopsis: Stories from the life of a young boy growing up in the Appalachian Mountains in the nineteen forties and fifties. The book follows his adventures and challenges as he gains the strength and independence needed to assume many of the responsibilities of his father, who died when the author was nine years old.

His interest in the nearby town of Bakersville, and his natural curiosity, gave him a keen insight into the early history of small-town Appalachia. His stories debunk the idea that the people of the Appalachian Mountains were isolated from the culture and values of the rest of the country.

Coming from a family that sustained itself on the food that it grew and preserved, his poverty gave rise to feelings of inferiority and self- doubt. Necessary tasks, such as carrying sacks of potatoes to the school lunchroom to pay for his and his sister's, lunches, were humiliating. Reading about his emotional journey through childhood is a window into the lives of countless children who grew up in Appalachia during this period.

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Set during World War II and the decade after the war, this book delineates the challenges that the war presented to the author, his family and community. His emotional involvement in the war rivaled that of most adults.

Many of the incidents described in this book demonstrate the courage, intelligence, creativity and determination of the Scotch-Irish people who settled the Appalachian Mountains. The author had to overcome, almost daily, challenges that might overwhelm today's youth; and yet, he was able to engage in fishing and other activities that lightened his load.

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Ronald McKinney still lives near Bakersville, N.C., the town that he grew up in. He and his wife, Elizabeth Wilson McKinney have four sons and eight grandchildren. He has B.S. and M.A. degrees from Appalachian State University and has done graduate work in Higher Education Administration at N. C. State University and U.N. C. at Chapel Hill.

Mr. McKinney has worked as a public-school teacher and counselor, and as a Financial Aid Officer and Dean of Student Affairs at the college level.

He is a veteran of the U. S. Air Force.
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