An old man, realizing cherished memories of the past are quickly fading, decides to run away in search of his youth. This creative memoir is about “going home again”, reliving early-life experiences, and re-establishing childhood friendships. 

He and old friends, the “boys in the band”, recall early tales of youth from their world during the late ’40s and early 1950s. The memories take place in the small North-Eastern Iowa community of Elkader. The stories are loaded with a sense of discovery, being awed by the world around them, heart-warming moments, and sorrowful tragedies. 

Larry Gamble, a good-natured boy, at the age of five, moves with his parents and brother to discover a new world in a lively little town. For five years of his early life, he explores every nook and cranny, including the lips of his first girlfriend Connie. His rendezvous with another friend Daisy ends in a broken heart. 

His best friend Harvey suddenly turns on him. In the confusion of it all, he questions the quality of his friendships and, even worse, himself. Ever persevering, he continues his quest for excitement, recalling Corene’s amazing cat flying through the air and relives his experiment with a moving steam locomotive destined to jump the rails, and while boating on the Mississippi, he challenges the hull integrity of The Drunken Coconut. These are dangerous and risky choices for a boy named Gamble. 

This book is a fun-filled adventure memoir about family, friendships, foolish endeavors, and the coming of age. The book contains recollections about family, friendships, sexuality, developing self-esteem, and living with self-doubt. In other words, it is a story not unlike everyone’s story while growing up. It is about every man. Together, we remember our childhood experiences when we were all in the same boat - even if it is taking in water.