Overview

This is a factual account of a man and two young sons who hitchhiked throughout the Southeastern United States from 1939 to 1944. They lived in rooming houses and relocated every few weeks because of the father's work. The boys rarely attended school but learned priceless lessons on the streets of dozens of towns and cities in which they lived. The author and only remaining survivor lived with four different families prior to his high school graduation in 1951. Each setting was environmentally different and unique in terms of expectations, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and degree of regimentation. Many believed the challenges of continual adaptation and on-going instability during his formative years would doom him to failure. Conversely, he overachieved profoundly as an athlete, student leader, model family head, community volunteer, and public servant in a mission and purpose career. Fortunately, he continues to serve and is willing to share this inspiring tale--the strangest and most gripping saga you will ever read.

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9780692062081

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Reviews

Ed Garrett, a retired Nashville school administrator: From the perspective of an author and colleague of Jack Van Hooser over fifty years ago, I proofread his first draft. Impartially, it is the most enthralling drama I ever read. Homer and Shakespeare would have written about this epic. Mary Belle Ginanni, retired professor, Middle Tennessee State University: Yours is truly a Horatio Alger story. I look forward to giving it to my brother and others to read. I really liked it.Joe Mac Reeves, a retired administrator, State Farm Insurance Co.: Great story and message.The book should be required reading for all young people.Floyd Richardson, retired Director of the Department of Human Services, State of Tennessee: Of all the success stories I have ever read, the achievement in your story would be the greatest considering the probability of a failure in life for you as a young boy.Jack Benz, retired insurance broker: Enjoyable, great book, the story was typical Jack Van Hooser.Bill Nichols, retired program manager, State of Tennessee: You touched many lives while living the story and their lives were touched again [from] reading your book.Henry Dillard, Supertindent Tennessee Rehabilitation Center: ...[I] read the book in one sitting as I could not put it down. A great read just like you were telling the story.

Author Information

Jack M. Van Hooser is a humble man-considerate, gentle, and unpretentious. His unflappable attitude and disposition seem out of character for a person whose formative years were unstable and challenged by every imaginable disadvantage. He grew up in the midst and under the influence of an economic depression, a major world war, and a fragmented family. Seemingly, on every path and at every step he was thwarted by obstacles, barriers, and pitfalls; yet, he overcame the clutch of defeat to become a fierce competitor and superlative achiever in every domain he entered. Seemingly, he used every roadblock as a stepping stone. As a high school student, he was the president of his student body; as an athlete in high school and college, he was all-state, all-southern and ultimately was recruited by three NFL teams; as a coach, his teams were consistent winners-on and off the playing field; as a business and professional leader, he rose to the level of State Assistant Commissioner. He is a mission and purpose man of faith, committed to his spiritual beliefs, his family, and community. Garrett Williams is a retired educator and author of two books. He assisted the author in editing UNSTABLE TIMES-UNLIKELY OUTCOMES.

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