I Got by: The Best of Harry Marlin

Author Harry Marlin met everything in life head on. This collection of his writing explores a lifetime's experiences-growing up in tiny Blanket, Texas, during the Great Depression; flying combat missions over Germany during World War II; and managing life's perplexities. Called the "Will Rogers of Central Texas," Marlin wrote a weekly column for the Brownwood Bulletin for eleven years. I Got By presents the first volume of compilations of his best stories taking a humorous look at a plethora of topics. "The Barbecue Smokes, but the Customers Can't" explores the ins and outs of the Texas tradition of barbecuing. In "Where Summer's Lovely Roses Still Bloom," Marlin reminisces about the dreadful summers spent picking cotton. "The Place They Didn't Catch Clyde Barrow" describes how the news of Bonnie and Clyde running rampant in 1934 took the edge off of an otherwise depressing existence. Colorful and witty, I Got By provides insights into life in rural Texas during the Great Depression and shows that humor can provide relief in many challenging situations.