Things You Need to Hear: Collected Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas, 1890–1980

by Margaret Jones Bolsterli

Things You Need to Hear gathers memories of Arkansans from all over the state with widely different backgrounds. In their own words, these people tell of the things they did growing up in the early twentieth century to get an education, what they ate, how they managed to get by during difficult times, how they amused themselves and earned a living, and much more. Some of Margaret Bolsterli's "informants," as she calls them, are famous (Johnny Cash, Maya Angelou, Levon Helm, Joycelyn Elders), but many more are not. Their vivid personal stories have been taken from published works and from original interviews conducted by Bolsterli. All together, these tales preserve memories of ways of life that are compelling, entertaining, and certainly well worth remembering.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2012

Reviews

[Talya Boerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this collection of memories on growing up in Arkansas 1890-1980. Many of the recollections felt familiar to me. A few of the “informants” I have met or have personal knowledge of. Loved it!