River of Memories: An Appalachian Boyhood

River of Memories:

An Appalachian Boyhood

About Me

My name is David Lee Thompson, and I grew up at a place called Bowen Creek, West Virginia. After serving my country during the Vietnam Era, I graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, with an M.A. in education. Now retired from teaching, I live in Salt Rock, West Virginia, with my wife, Janet. We have two sons and two grandsons. Our two grandsons, Andrew and Tanner, are pictured on my book's cover.

My Online Life

My online life consists primarily of promoting my book, RIVER OF MEMORIES: AN APPALACHIAN BOYHOOD, which was published in December, 2002.

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A synopsis of RIVER OF MEMORIES is as follows:

Inspired by his desire to share his Appalachian boyhood with future generations, David Lee Thompson has written a series of stories, depicting his life in Bowen Creek, West Virginia, during the 1940s and '50s. With a trip out West providing the backdrop, the author weaves story after story into a nostalgic piece of work, portraying life as he experienced it, in the heart of Appalachia. One of these, "A Framework for Happiness," was published in a book entitled THE LIFE WRITING CLASS. Now, in RIVER OF MEMORIES the author shares more humorous and heartwarming tales, with vivid accounts of everyday life. From his birth in a "tater-knobbed" house to his stint in the Vietnam War, Thompson's journey from boyhood to manhood displays his strong ties to the Appalachian culture. As Dr. Alan B. Gould of Marshall University states, "The author's recollections of a bygone era not only produces a 'river of memories' for himself, but provides the reader with warm and colorful insights into the customs, habits, and traditions of the Appalachian way of life."

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Endorsements:

"David Lee Thompson has produced a caring and introspective personal account of the vanishing Appalachian culture. This way of life existed for over twelve generations, teaching its people the importance of family, community, and religion. Thompson's old home place, now empty and lonely, holds faint whispers of what was once alive with laughter and reminiscences. His boyhood memories of life on Bowen Creek represent the last vestiges of a time and place now nearly extinct."

Dr. Alan B. Gould, Executive Director

The John Deaver Drinko Academy

Marshall University

"From the first pioneers who struggled west to make a home among our hills and hollows, our families have been our culture's backbone. The portrait of Appalachian life David Thompson paints is one familiar to generations of southern West virginians. It is a history that should be saved and valued."

U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (WV)

"As readers journey along in David Thompson's RIVER OF MEMORIES, they uncover truths about themselves and gain a better understanding about life in Appalachia. This is especially true for those of us who have strong ties with its people, helping us appreciate our heritage even more."

Shawn W. Coffman, M.D.

Huntington Internal Medicine Group

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For customer reviews, visit www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

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To order, visit www.iuniverse.com, www.amazon.com,

www.barnesandnoble.com, and other online bookstores. Also, call 1-877-823-9235 to order, or contact the author at DLThomp43@aol.com.

<<<<<<<<<<<<< Purchasing Information >>>>>>>>>>>>>

RIVER OF MEMORIES: AN APPALACHIAN BOYHOOD

Biography & Autobiography / General

Publication Date: Dec-2002

Price: $14.95 (Paperback) & $24.95 (Hardcover)