Paul Beaver announces new book will be available soon

[December 14, 2011]  Paul Beaver, historian emeritus of Lincoln College, has announced that his latest book, "The Last Farm Boy," will be available soon at area businesses. Beaver said that hopefully, supplies will begin coming in by the end of this week.

Beaver, who has written two other historical books and contributed to a third, said this one is his personal story as well as the story of his family coming to Logan County. Starting with his family locating in the area in 1853, he tells stories of his grandparents and father as well as himself.

Beaver said that he had been contemplating doing this book for many years and is pleased it is finished. Talking about his and his family's personal history now being in book form, he said, "You have to put it down (in writing) or it's gone."

He said the book recounts many memories of Logan County, including his teen years in the 1950s, when downtown Lincoln was the place to be every weekend.

Paul recounts sports in those days and said he remembers how basketball was king in the schools back then. "It was like in the movie ‘Hoosiers.' On game night everyone got into their cars or trucks and traveled to the games."

He has a remarkable memory that reveals a positive story of his childhood on through his grade school and high school years, recounting his family and farm life, fair days, school sports (baseball and basketball), academics, and social life -- including his radio and music likes on up to the early days of rock 'n' roll.

It also has several vivid recollections of family and neighbors who fought in World War I and World War II.

A must-read for those of us from small Midwest towns -- especially farm boys -- who were born in the 1930s and early 1940s, the book traces a typical small-town boy-to-young man's life through the 1940s on into the 1950s. There are lots of photos -- from family albums, newspapers, yearbooks, Logan County and city of Lincoln history -- of farm life, FFA, 4-H, Logan County and Illinois State Fairs.

The book will offer older readers the chance to relate and recollect as Beaver weaves memories from a half-century ago into an enjoyable dialogue. For younger readers, the book offers a chance to read and learn just how different things were back in the days and can help offer them a perspective on an era now past.

Beaver said he will announce when and where book signings will take place as soon as enough books are on hand.

Prairie Years in Lincoln and Saddie's Secret Place in Mount Pulaski will initially carry the book.

[Text from file received, Phil Bertoni, LDN]