Castles In Wet Sand

About the Book

Castles in Wet Sand picks up the story of James Mason’s life from the point where he left off in the first volume of his memoir, Oh, Susina. We follow the young Jimmy as he is “weaned” from his life of joy, innocence and pleasure at Susina Plantation through the trials of boarding school, university life, military service and his first business ventures. He also explores his initiation to romance and the discovery of his true love, a love story that led to pioneer adventures culminating in a brood of fascinating young Masons.

About the Author

Charles Dickens once wrote that the measure of a good narrative is its capacity to become “vicarious experience” and give the reader a chance to live more than one life. Not many of us get the chance to grow up on a Southern plantation or to launch off to boarding school at a tender age; nor do many of us have the opportunity or courage to test our mettle and our dreams through such extravagant adventures as James Mason records in his coming of age story. Whether he’s trying to win Yankee friends with Southern yarns at boarding school, trying to prove himself with curve balls and golf strokes, or venturing everything on a dream to be a cattle rancher—Mr. Mason shows that falling short of expectations and long sought-after dreams often lands a person in a better place than he could have ever imagined. His story is both an inspiring testament to a life well-lived and a nostalgic tribute to a South that is fast disappearing. It can be read as both glance backward into history and a glimpse forward into possibility. It’s a thoughtful, sensitive, delightful story. –Cynthia Watt Clough, PhD Everybody comes to a time in his life when he (or she) realizes that there is a whole world of family history that is way out of reach. Even though the records can probably be dug up, the naked facts are not enough. This book is though. Of course James S. Mason is my uncle and the family he explains so honestly and eloquently is my family so my interest might be more intense than somebody else’s, but this is a true story of the history of a careful man and his good people. To me, the plain truth, accurately described in intricate and introspective detail is the most interesting kind of reading and that’s what this book is. --Robb White, nephew and author Every family needs a gifted story teller to keep its history alive. This family is lucky to have such a spirited and enthusiastic chronicaler as James S. Mason. --Bailey White, niece and author An excellent continuation of Oh, Susina! Jimmy matures through ups and downs to become a productive individual in society. --Keith Hill, Parish Associate, First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville, Georgia