There have been several hundred books written by foreigners on Japan since the late 1900s, including the classics "Things Japanese" by Basil Hall Chamberlain and "Kwaidan" by Lafcadio Hearn, but none like this one by Old Japan Hand Glenn D. Davis, who spent more than 40 years in Japan, first as a student at Tokyo's Sophia University and then as a journalist, author, educator and editor. Both his self-gained knowledge of Japan and his skill in learning from other experts are highlighted in this remarkable work.

Life on the farm before television was hard, but interesting in ways the current generation may find hard to fathom. No TV, Ipods, or video games ... how did we manage? Radio, imagination and outdoor games, that's how. It was such an innocent age, but is now gone with the wind. Wellborn Texas was typical of small towns in that period of American history. Like other towns, Wellborn has changed, but not necessarily for the better. Nostalgic? Sure, but in those days at least I knew my neighbors.