Back Roads To A Better Life

About the Book

This is a story about a man who grew up in the depths of the Great Depression on a small farm in Western Kentucky known as the Jackson Purchase. The area is bordered by the Ohio River to the north, the Tennessee River to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, consisting of gentle rolling land identified to a certain extent with the production of snuff tobacco and mule breeding. Follow his life of struggle, love, success, failure and unbelievable stories as he moves from farm to business endeavors in five states and exciting, educational travel excursions on land and sea. You will feel comfortable in your favorite chair reading and relating to his life of happiness regardless of the several times he changed jobs and the conditions that led to these unavoidable situations. Whether you are in your high school, college, employment, or retirement years you will be able to gain insight into ways that will be of assistance in helping you retire comfortably, invest properly, spend cautiously, plan carefully and enjoy the comforts and happiness afforded by marrying a good companion. Faith in God is meaningful in this person's life as he endeavors to pass along information and encouragement that will cause a person to think and want to study more about religion and how it is such a strong influence on our lives and that of all people throughout the world.

About the Author

He grew up on a small farm in Calloway County, Kentucky about 11 miles from the county seat of Murray. The area is also known as the Jackson Purchase, home of sorghum molasses, smoked country sausage, ham hocks and beans. This period in time is also referred to as the Great Depression following the stock market crash of 1929. He is not a veteran of the wars that followed because of circumstances controlling drafting laws and elected not to volunteer. The boom years that Mowed helped him to get a head start by taking advantage of technology changes in agriculture that led to phenomenal yield increases in grain and livestock production. Mechanization of farm machinery required less intensive labor on farms causing many families to seek employment in big city factories. Construction and factory jobs paid more income than farmers could earn if they remained on small farms. Farmers who owned or tilled only a few acres either sold out or were forced to get supplemental work. Charles made up his mind while in high school to go to college and decided not to pursue farming as a career, but he had trouble choosing a major course of study. During his working years he considered every job experience to be fun, well maybe with one exception. Perhaps the challenges he faced will challenge you to take on a more positive approach to the most adverse circumstances. Enjoy the story of this first time author with both a critical and positive view of how things might have been. Believe whatever flips your skirt or lid and take the rest as an imaginary experience, Charles takes the reader from the days of mule power and no electricity through the industrial revolution and well into the rocket science and electronic age that has made communication and information so accessible even people with elevated intellects are astonished. Charles had many jobs. Changing jobs broadened his perspective and his experiences made him available for more opportunities as he moved forward with a positive attitude.