Jane Addams was a prominent progressive reformer during the early 20th century; and she became one of America's most famous women. This is a memoir of her early life. From the preface: "Many times during the writing of these reminiscences; I have become convinced that the task was undertaken all too soon. One's fiftieth year is indeed an impressive milestone at which one may well pause to take an accounting; but the people with whom I have so long journeyed have become so intimate a part of my lot that they cannot be written of either in praise or blame; the public movements and causes with which I am still identified have become so endeared; some of them through their very struggles and failures; that it is difficult to discuss them. It has also been hard to determine what incidents and experiences should be selected for recital; and I have found that I might give an accurate report of each isolated event and yet give a totally misleading impression of the whole; solely by the selection of the incidents. For these reasons and many others I have found it difficult to make a faithful record of the years since the autumn of 1889 when without any preconceived social theories or economic views; I came to live in an industrial district of Chicago. If the reader should inquire why the book was ever undertaken in the face of so many difficulties; in reply I could instance two purposes; only one of which in the language of organized charity; is "worthy." Because Settlements have multiplied so easily in the United States I hoped that a simple statement of an earlier effort; including the stress and storm; might be of value in their interpretation and possibly clear them of a certain charge of superficiality. The unworthy motive was a desire to start a "backfire;" as it were; to extinguish two biographies of myself; one of which had been submitted to me in outline; that made life in a Settlement all too smooth and charming."
#2225564 in Books 2014-06-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .45 x 6.00l; .64 #File Name: 1500152072196 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great fictionalized first person accountBy Leslie JohnsonVery entertaining read. Jim presents a hilarious cast of misfits; all drafted and given "category special" status when the Army Brass couldn't figure out what specialty to check off for them. The result ranged from a sixth-grade dropout hog farmer who never had a bath; to Jim who is a college-educated pilot with a crop dusting business; and everything in between. Billy Bob is an Aggie with feet too big to fit into Army boots; so he wears his green-topped custom made cowboy boots. Jim is granted Acting PFC status and manages to lose one of his recruits; who gets off the troop train to make a phone call and misses the train as it pulls out. The crew pretends he's still with them; making his bed every morning; etc. The unwashed hog farmer winds up working the coal-fired furnace and remains as filthy as ever; and the stories just get better in this page turner. Though Jim presents it as a fictional novel; the events he writes about are the kinds of things that nobody could make up.There are units that will never make the history books; and SCARWAF is certainly one of them. Enjoy this bit of military history as told by a master story teller who was there.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Jim Foreman is a story tellerBy Stephen H. KiblingerJim Foreman is a story teller and talented writer... His story here is one of humor and adventure in an unusual MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) for folks that do not fit in the military job / life style framework... Jim develops his characters well and takes them thru the military trail of being drafted / classified / trained / deployed and discharged... If you have been in the military or not you will be entertained by this book... I enjoy visiting jimforeman.com too...1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. SCARWAF arrived just in time to prevent me from doing something foolish like going out to shovelBy MartinSuffering from an acute case of cabin fever here in the northeast; SCARWAF arrived just in time to prevent me from doing somethingfoolish like going out to shovel. Having also served in the military; but at a different time; we all had out misfits. SCARWAF broughtlaughs and refreshing memories.
