This is the untold story of the very first electronic social network in America: The CB Radio. Citizen's Band Radio grew from to a small number of hobby users to a cultural phenomenon in the 1970s. The adoption by millions of Americans forced the FCC to give up nearly all regulation. CB life created it's own "slanguage, "music and values. What started with mostly truckers grew during Arab Oil Crisis and eventually went widespread. Users adapted CB's to their own economic and social uses. This adaptation changed the character of the radio use eventually making the radios truly the Citizen's Band. And then they disappeared... The book culminates 23 years of research with 296 pages, 44 illustrations and more than 200 sources. Interviews include Hairl Hensley of WSM, Bob Cole of aka the "Midnight Rider" from KIKK (now in Austin) and Bill Fries aka C.W. McCall the "Rubber Duck."

Dr. Samuel Allen was at the epicenter of the American Civil War, Missouri. As a slave-owning native Virginian that lived in the shadows of pro-Union Columbia and a Union occupied Jefferson City, he was challenged at every turn with the new state of affairs after the outbreak of the Civil War. His southern Boone County home in a township, country and state was split on the issue of slavery. An old veteran's simple suggestion caused this respected doctor to end up imprisoned. This is the saga of his life, imprisonment and release in southern Boone County Missouri. Dr. Allen found himself not only in a situation of local complications, but one of national implications. President Lincoln wanted to rejoin the Union and pushed for a policy that benefited Dr. Allen. The intervention of a Congressman and this new policy returned Dr. Allen to his home and practice.

Dr. Samuel Allen was at the epicenter of the American Civil War, Missouri. As a slave-owning native Virginian that lived in the shadows of pro-Union Columbia and a Union occupied Jefferson City, he was challenged at every turn with the new state of affairs after the outbreak of the Civil War. His southern Boone County home in a township, country and state was split on the issue of slavery. An old veteran's simple suggestion caused this respected doctor to end up imprisoned. This is the saga of his life, imprisonment and release in southern Boone County Missouri. Dr. Allen found himself not only in a situation of local complications, but one of national implications. President Lincoln wanted to rejoin the Union and pushed for a policy that benefited Dr. Allen. The intervention of a Congressman and this new policy returned Dr. Allen to his home and practice.

Crashed the Gate Doing Ninety-Eight: The Citizens Band Radio and American Culture is the untold story of the very first electronic social network in America: The CB Radio. Citizen's Band Radio grew from to a small number of hobby users to a cultural phenomenon in the 1970s. The adoption by millions of Americans forced the FCC to give up nearly all regulation. CB life created it's own "slanguage, "music and values. What started with mostly truckers grew during Arab Oil Crisis and eventually went widespread. Users adapted CB's to their own economic and social uses. This adaptation changed the character of the radio use eventually making the radios truly the Citizen's Band. And then they disappeared... Includes 44 illustrations, interviews with Bill Fries AKA C.W. McCall, Hairl Hensley of WSM/Grand Old Opry and Bob Cole of KIKK. Over 200 sources were used in the writing.