This collection contains essays, short stories, and poetry. Tom detailed his war experiences mainly for those who haven’t been there. Much of the material is written in an informal style and does not fit into any single genre. Some bits are serious. Some are not at all serious and are laced with a feather touch of droll humor. Old Eddyville, Kentucky, features prominently throughout. A very small river town now almost drowned by Lake Barkley, its main industry is the Kentucky State Penitentiary. Local residents unsuccessfully attempt to ignore that imposing limestone edifice on the hill. So does Tom. He writes about the boy in the village.