Book Description

In this final installment of a trilogy of books detailing the authors life, Don Hattin recounts his exciting experiences while serving on active duty in the US Air Force. Detailing the adventures and challenges of his assignment at the Flight and All-Weather Testing facility atop Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, Don also recalls the pleasures of his growing young family who supported his service from a cozy farm house in North Conway, New Hampshire. We learn fascinating details of jet engine testing procedures, and share Don’s rapture with the glorious mountaintop environment surrounding him. Upon completion of his Air Force tour of duty, Don returns to civilian life, and his job as Assistant Professor of Geology at Indiana University, sharing with the reader memories of his early years as an enthusiastic professor. Humorous descriptions of family vacations and geologic field trips recall a simpler time, when camping required no reservations, and hearty meals cost $1.00. Don shares his recollections of Bloomington Indiana as it was in the mid 1950s and early 60’s, and details his early teaching assignments, summer field trips and many close friendships of the era. The anecdotes of daily life with his young family capture Don’s abounding enthusiasm and energy. Recounting the genesis of his long running marine geology field course in Big Pine Key Florida and his promotion to Full Professor in 1965, Don’s memoire brings to life his very vibrant professional and personal life. Culminating in 1969 with the details of a very exciting 9 month sabbatical spent teaching at the University of Reading England, Don brings the reader along for many happy episodes in his version of Living the American Dream.