Inside the Boom

About the Book

The book, Inside the Boom, has taken sixty years of living to compile and over four years to write. It is a semi autobiographical collection of over 30 short stories about the adventures and foibles of the Baby Boomers. Also included are a few letters and essays.

Beginning with the story of his grandmother's birth in a covered wagon, the stories go on to tell of Ray's younger years moving around the country, living in more than 50 houses while attending 13 different schools in 12 years of education. Having had over 100 jobs himself, Ray weaves his experiences with those of the other Boomers he's met into a book as diverse and exciting as the heady years that ended the twentieth century.

Well crafted, inspirational, funny and insightful, the book is a must for the generation that spawned the A.D.D. syndrome. Easy to read and just as fun to jump from one tale to the next without the constraints of order, it offers something for every reader.

About the Author

Conceived Christmas Day 1945, on a houseboat tied to the Illinois banks of the Mississippi river, nine months and three days later, in Des Moines, Iowa, Ray Arthur Monigold II was born. Within three hours, he and his parents drove to Moline, Illinois. He's been on the go ever since.

In his all too brief life Ray has lived in 40 states and several countries, attending 13 different schools, in 12 years of public education. His grandmother, who helped raise him, was born in a covered wagon as a great great grand daughter of Sir Walter Scott. She and Ray watched together as men walked on the moon. Ray has had more than ONE HUNDRED JOBS.

Some of his experiences are documented in the short stories that make up this book. As mechanic on cars, trucks, planes and boats, soldier in Viet Nam, driver, ship's captain, flying - floating - writing engineer, computer programmer/trainer, international consultant, guest university speaker, instructor and teacher, artist, builder, pressman, author, publisher, editor, photographer, new car dealership manager, salesman, homeless wanderer, Hippie and dumpster diver, Ray has experienced some intriguing events and gained keen insight into the human condition. Enjoy the tales!