Chester Parks was born during the Great Depression. His father died of injuries sustained while serving in the U.S. Army in France during WWI, so Parks and his older brother were raised by a "single mom" -- a Polish immigrant. The family lived in one of the poorest neighborhoods on the near northwest side of Chicago. Parks tells what life was like for him and other poor kids and his successful adult life with his wife of 61 one years. His memoirs are dedicated to his wife, his three children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren..."who have all contributed a significant amount of happiness to my life."