Chuckles

About the Book

While most readers should experience a full-range of chuckles, in keeping with the title, they should also emit a number of gusty guffaws. The dictionary defines a chuckle as follows: "To laugh softly or amusedly, usually with satisfaction."

About the Author

A 1937 journalism graduate of the University of Georgia, Edmund C. Hughes entered the newspaper field that same year as managing editor of a weekly, the Cobb County Times, in Marietta, Georgia. In 1938, that newspaper received national recognition, winning an unprecedented four first-place awards in competition sponsored by the National Editorial Association, including one for general excellence.

Through ROTC at Georgia, Hughes obtained a commission as a reserve second lieutenant and three years later was promoted to first lieutenant, just prior to being called to active duty on April 1, 1941. After serving for one year as a classification officer at the Reception Center at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, he was ordered to overseas duty on May 11, 1942.

Arriving in Australia on June 4, he was assigned shortly thereafter to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur as a public relations officer. He served in that capacity for almost three and a half years - from Melbourne to Tokyo - and was awarded the Bronze Star decoration in 1945 for "meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific Area from 5 July 1942 to 17 May 1945."

On September 2, 1945, Hughes witnessed the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Hughes left active service in October 1945 and entered the retired reserve with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Following the war, he returned to Marietta and rejoined his pre-war employer, then as general manager of both the Cobb County Times and the publishing firm, Brumby Press. In that capacity, he directed the editorial policy of the newspaper and wrote a widely-read personal column each week. He held this position for five years before moving to Atlanta to join a leading printing establishment, Higgins-McArthur Company. Here he held several managerial posts before becoming executive vicepresident in 1956 and acquiring part ownership of the firm.

Throughout this time, he attained many positions of leadership in both the printing industry and newspaper field, as well as in civic and charitable organizations.

He continued as a printing company executive during a series of mergers and acquisitions stemming from the original company. He retired in 1991.

Since retirement Hughes has engaged in compiling and editing books, mostly for friends and associates who have written their memoirs.