Book details

  • Genre:history
  • Sub-genre:Americas
  • Language:English
  • Series Title:From My Perch
  • Series Number:1
  • Pages:296
  • Paperback ISBN:9798317856595

From My Perch

Humor, History, and Heroes

By Sherwood Williford

Overview

Humor: A seasick fisherman begs his brother to pray to the Good Lord to sink the boat and put him out of his misery. History: Stories of catastrophic events coupled with accomplishments of heroes remind readers that earthlings of former years lived real lives blazing trails for the good ones we live. Included are two 1954 tragedies. Both taking lives and destroying billions in property. Heroes: Includes two groups, educators and military personnel. Thousands gave their lives for our country, including Jack Langston. From a World War II war zone come a few words from his last letter to his mother: "I went to church today and it is almost dinner chow. How are you, Ma? I hope you keep well and happy and pray every day for us boys to come home soon." Jack did come home, but not soon. Two years later, he arrived with a shipment of his comrades. All in flag-draped coffins.
Read more

Description

The author's writing style cannot be described as conventional. He has developed one of his own, occasionally reverting to the simple country-folksy wording of his youth. But not to worry, all stories are written for ease of understanding. The author's style will likely grow on you. This first book and the three that follow will provide readers an opportunity to enjoy all 388 newspaper columns composed by the "Owl." Stories will take readers over exciting trails, from laughter to tears, joy to sadness. Most should touch human hearts. Many provide glimpses into the lives of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives. Included are several fictional rib-ticklers designed to put smiles on faces and lighten hearts – a sure antidote for relief of drudgery and misery which afflicts most of us from time to time. A local baseballer played with the Washington Senators, helping win the 1924 World Series against Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees. Dog-lovers will be disappointed to learn that all "dogs will not go to heaven," especially the one whose fangs snipped both fleshy sides of the author's behind. African American Clarence Dillard will be remembered as one of the greatest educators of his generation. There is the story of a Granny, whose first child was born six months after her wedding. Purists may have adorned her with scarlet letters, but for reasons many, the author calls her his angel. In 1932, a New York doctor explores the area for a potential nudist colony. Was he successful? A hometown Marine becomes a hero after surviving the battle of Guadalcanal. Almost lost to history are successes of the local Cheerful Chitlin Chewers Club.
Read more

About The Author

The Author Sherwood Williford was born into a sharecropper family on the Bentonville battlefield, Johnston County, North Carolina. When a child, he and his family relocated to neighboring Wayne County where he attended Grantham School for twelve years, graduating in 1955. In his senior year, the student body voted Sherwood and Jean Aswell (Hollowell) as Mr. and Miss Grantham High. During his junior year he joined the Mount Olive National Guard, where he proudly served two years, followed by eight years of active duty with the Air Force. Stationed at Robins AFB, Georgia, he was twice named outstanding base-wide Airman of the Quarter. Graduating from non-commissioned officer prep school, he received both the Speech and Honor graduate awards. Upon discharge, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal, the highest peacetime award offered by the U. S. Military. With further studies at both the University of Georgia and Brigham Young University, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications. For more than seven years, Sherwood was a featured columnist for his hometown newspaper, The Goldsboro News Argus, written under the byline, From My Perch, which is the primary source for this publication, subtitled Humor, History, and Heroes. Readers are guaranteed many a chuckle and even moments of side-splitting laughter! Some from factual stories, others from a questionable but humor-driven imagination. Featured heroes include schoolteachers as well as a number of brave souls clad in the uniforms of the Nation they loved. Included are valuable stories of precious history otherwise doomed to be forgotten, forever buried in vaults or on seldom searched microfilm. Sherwood has previously published five books, two of them about the rural setting in which he grew up: Hanging Out in Corbett Hill and Grantham High School, the 1950s. Both share warm and droll glimpses of a time and place that should not be forgotten. Those are available directly from the author. A third book, Two to the Grave, Three to the Gallows, recounts a shocking local crime that garnered national interest. A fourth, Shining Stars from a Segregated South; African Americans Spread their Wings, collects inspiring accounts proving that race need not be a barrier to success. Sherwood's most recent work, Queen of the Court, is the story of a phenomenal high school basketball player, Beulah Thomas Sutton. She holds a state record that has never been broken – 107 points. How good was she? Statistically better than Michael Jordan or the celebrated Caitlin Clark. Her story proves it. He has also penned two screenplays, Leona's Boy and Phoebe of the Neuse, the latter being an incredible yet heartwarming story of the Neuse Island's "witch woman." Mr. Williford holds membership in the Golden K. Kiwanis Club and serves as Chaplain of his local Grantham Grange, an organization dedicated to supporting farmers and agriculture. He also belongs to the North Carolina Writer's Network and the local Neuse River Writers group. He is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Jane, have been blessed with four children and ten grandchildren.
Read more