How I Got This Way

About the Book

How I Got This Way chronicles the true story of growing up in the 1950’s on a primitive farm. With very little knowledge of his own ancestor’s history, the author was inspired to record his own life history so that future generations of his family would understand ‘How I Got This Way.’ He also felt that it was important to preserve a record of what it was like to grow up in a rural primitive farm setting so that a unique and important time in American history would not be lost forever. The lessons he learned throughout his childhood infl uenced the man he became through his years in the Navy and later as a ‘Telephone Man.’ While some may feel that the farm life experienced was cruel and unforgiving, he would say that it taught him the values of hard work, responsibility, and a sense of ethics that provided great strength of character that served him well throughout his life. His ‘story telling’ is mixed with humor and honesty as it uniquely describes his childhood experiences through the tender perspective of a child. It is the story of overcoming and loving life amid sometimes great diffi culties and trials. ‘How I Got This Way’ is a poignant story of a life that few will have the opportunity to experience in the future.

About the Author

The author was born Paul George Hampton on August 2, 1941 in Hamilton, Ohio. Through age five he lived with his grandmother while his mother was away working on WW11 bombers. At age ten, his family moved to a primitive farm. It was the experiences of growing up on the farm that forever shaped his future life. His story continues through his Navy experiences and the many years he worked for Cincinnati Bell Telephone. When he retired, he was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis and decided to write the story of his life so his children and future generation would know, “How I Got This Way.”