Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir

The jacket of this hardback edition is colourful, with the author's name and book title printed in relief.
The author leans against a gatepost and presents himself to the camera with an open, frank expression which reflects the contents of this absorbing autobiography.
Tony Hillerman, now in his seventies, recalls his life experiences in a rare mix of matter-of-fact modesty, stoicism, belief in his faith and the love of his family.
The book recalls the formative years of a child in the 1930's, tough to our modern conventions, but couched in the warmth of his father, mother and siblings' support. The passage through high-school education and the seemingly inevitable, though not entirely unwelcome call to arms for the duration of his Second World War is well written, even we Brits can identify with the mid-west of that time.
Tony Hillerman was a decorated survivor of the conflict, though his sometimes ambivalent recollections reinforce the reader's respect for the author. The chapters covering this period come across as factual, unembellished and sometimes thrilling, without any self-aggrandizement.
When duty is done, we find the author ready to apply himself to whatever job is available until he can enrol in college, where he is introduced to the next phase in his life experience, journalism.
I am not a journalist, but the narrative provides some insight into that profession; the layman will find thought-provoking accounts and it is during these recollections that the life-changing experience of the author occurs. He meets his wife, establishes his family and gets on with life. (My wife bought me this book for Christmas)
Next is acadaemia and a toe-dipping into fiction writing. Fate plays a helping hand in these endeavours and the author metamorphosizes into: successful crime fiction writer.
Okay, i've left a lot out. Buy the book!
I'm just waiting for the next episode in the Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn series out in late spring. Seldom Disappointed?, make that Never