A Life in Each Decade of the 20th Century

About the Book

As the 20th century approached the 1990´s, Dad mentioned that if he could live that long he would have lived in each decade of the century. He often commented on the vast changes he’d seen as they developed. He marveled at the first cars he saw about 1913. He experienced the progress of plowing, from teams to steam engine to tractors. He lived thru the Great Depression and two World Wars. He reveled in the development of power tools, from hand saw to chain saws, electric drills and such. He watched the advancement of airplanes, and witnessed the beginning of the space age and computers. This is his story, recorded on audio tapes as family history. It is told in his sometimes-blunt language (R-rated), including difficulties, mistakes, joys and accomplishments.

About the Author

Growing up in California, with a father working in agriculture and the national parks, Joan lived “under the redwoods” in her early years. During school years in Kansas, she enjoyed riding her mare along country roads and hearing meadowlarks sing. Joan has contributed articles to Western Horseman and Country magazines, is a former parent-helper of the 4-H Horse program and was a docent at Sunol Regional Wilderness in California. She is the author of horse books for teens, Echo Valley and Dan; books for young children, Marigold and One Little Heifer. A book of short stories, Smiles, is due out in 2008. The author believes, teach beauty and brotherhood rather than horror and destruction. Joan and her husband, Dave, had two children, Mark and Rebecca. (Becky illustrated Green Eyes.) They now live in Montana near Becky’s ranch; Mark died in 2003.