From 1945 until 1962 the life-shaping experiences and coming of age accounts of one World War II orphan as he develops into manhood serves as poignant reminder for all of us of what was good, bad, and ugly about those times. In this recantation, readers may find an occasional suggestion for some of the cultural, moral, or social problems plaguing a troubled country of apathetic oldsters, confused Baby Boomers, and educated Generation X-ers. Some may, through the eyes of a little white war-orphan, experience the personal turmoil generated as an oppressed and subdued “Negro” culture rose to claim its rightful place in our society. Some may even catch glimpses of Arkansas politics and how it affected the lives of the people in these stories. A southeast Arkansas - Mississippi Delta memoir reminiscent of “Angela’s Ashes”, by Frank McCourt, or “The Body” by Stephen King and later adapted into the movie “Stand by Me”, you will enjoy this journey into small town McGehee and Desha County, half- white and half-black. Experience things which could not have happened – yet did. Catherine’s Kid is a fearless and revealing recollection, brutally honest, about a kid growing up, mostly on his own, fighting to retain his dignity. Regional culture, innocence, legacy, humor, oppression, religion, fishing, hunting, sports, surrogate dads, gangs, sex, violence, love, angst, KKK, racial bigotry, and hijinks, with a triple-jigger of F-16 fighter jet test flying, and much more await the reader.

Donald W. Bell is a proud McGehee, Ark. HS grad, Univ. of Ark. BSBA, Univ. of Northern Colorado MA. A USAF Maj. (ret.) he flew 188 combat missions (555 hrs.) during the Vietnam War as a Tiger FAC (1971), earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and thirteen Air Medals. He flew as an exchange pilot with the Marine Corps and was a first to attend TOPGUN ('76). A major contributor to the F-16 Multinational Test Program ('78-81), he continued as a test pilot until April 1987. During Hurricane Katrina he helped open and manage the largest Red Cross shelter in NE Louisiana since the Great Flood of 1927, after retiring from middle management in the Defense Industry. He and his wife, Kay, live in Monument, CO. For more information see the author's author's real website at donbell.us or donaldbell.us