Autobiography of a Famous Unknown

Name: Autobiography of a Famous Unknown
Price: $18.50 USD
Author: Bill de Valcourt
ISBN: 9781403314963

What I Got Into, Got Out of, Got Away With, and Got Caught At

by Bill de Valcourt

Formats

Hardcover

$25.45

$18.50

Hardcover

$18.50

Book Details

Language : English

Publication Date : 1/1/2003

Format : Hardcover

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 192

ISBN : 9781403314963

About the Book

The book started out with the request of the Maternal Grandmother of one of the Author’s great grandsons. She wanted a "few old man’s tales". When questioned about the term "old man’s tales", she said, "The ones old guys tell over and over again, and they get better and better." It started out with a few memories of certain times and people. Before long, one story would remind the Author of others and so it went. It wasn’t long before copies were requested. Computer printing is a long and tedious process, so it was decided to self publish. Only time will tell if it generates interest as a published work.

It is essentially a collection of short stories that range from the serious and purely historical, to humorous, to ironic. There is a thread running throughout where humor and irony sort of sneak up on you; individually or both at the same time.

The subtitle suggests a collection of stories called What I Got into, Got Out of, Got Away With, and Got Caught At. That description came about after the author realized that it was just that.

About the Author

The author was from a blue collar family of very modest means. After several false starts, he spent some time in the Naval Reserve (1947-1954), went back to school (1955-1962) to become a Civil Engineer and later became a real estate broker. He has lived a full and productive life, and has been "retiring" for the last five years. He hasn’t quite gotten the hang of retirement, so still practices some engineering and real estate brokerage on a very limited basis for selected clients.

The maternal grandmother of one of his great grandsons asked him to write down some "old man’s tales". Once it was started, there was no turning back until suddenly, a book was born.

Customer Reviews

William T. (Bill) de Valcourt 8/28/1928-11/29/2017 These are my personal reflections about Mr. de Valcourt, Bill. Sentimental is one word that describes his life in my time. My family was privileged to have known him these past few years and considered him part of our family. Bill said he was from a blue collar family of modest means. He was born in Louisiana and had several genealogy accounts, a particular passion for him. After several false starts, he said he spent some time in the Naval Reserve (1947-1954), went back to school (1955-1962) to become a Civil Engineer, and later became a real estate broker. Bill was a 37 year old city engineer in Henderson, NV, in 1966 when the city council named him as acting city manager. He also kept his five engineering licenses active and was recognized shortly before his death as the longest holder of an active engineering license in California (50+ years). Bill was taking required continuing education courses until the week before he died and was relatively healthy, driving, working. He said he lived a full and productive life, and had been "retiring" since 1997. He didn’t "quite get the hang of" retirement, so still practiced some engineering and real estate brokerage work on a very limited basis for selected clients until his death. He had been an engineer with the Tanglewood neighborhood builder and worked in neighborhoods around San Antonio. He said they were passionate about leaving EVERY tree in Tanglewood and that they had to explain thoroughly when any were best removed. A home we called the “tree house" in Tanglewood comes to mind, a home designed around the beautiful tree in the front yard. Bill was one of the founders of the Tanglewood Residents Association (TRA) and was living in Tanglewood until his death. He generously donated both time and money to TRA and worked tirelessly to help keep our neighborhood a safer and better place. He wrote the book, published in 2002, Autobiography of a Famous Unknown: What I Got Into, Got Out of, Got Away With, and Got Caught At. My mother purchased a copy for my birthday years later and had Bill sign it. The week before he died, I took him to the hospital due to sudden weakness, fever, and difficulty breathing. The hospital ER doctor said he had light pneumonia, kept him overnight for iv antibiotics. He had recovered sufficiently to be going to rehab before Thanksgiving and was weak but breathing normally. He was in good spirits the morning of the scheduled move. Before I could get there, the hospital/doctors chose to scope his stomach. He hadn't mentioned it; no one could explain. He said afterwards his doctors knew for years he couldn’t tolerate the anesthetic, caused breathing issues, and they for unknown reasons decided to give it to him anyway. He didn't get to rehab; he died within the week. I'm closing with some of his notes about/from the book, as they reflect much about his character and personality. He wrote: time flies by so quickly, where did it go. These are now particularly meaningful words to me. I miss him. May he rest in peace. I hope his ashes will soon be buried as he wished, in Hicks, LA, by Gloria. The notes, from the book: The book started out with the request of the Maternal Grandmother of one of the Author's great grandsons. She wanted a few old man's tales. When questioned about the term old man's tales, she said the ones old guys tell over and over again and they get better and better. It started out with a few memories of certain times and people. Before long, one story would remind the Author of others, and so it went. It wasn't long before copies were requested. Computer printing is a long and tedious process, so it was decided to self publish. Only time will tell if it generates interest as a published work. It is essentially a collection of short stories that range from the serious and purely historical to humorous to ironic. There is a thread running throughout where humor and irony sort of sneak up on you individually or both at the same time. The subtitle suggests a collection of stories called What I Got into Got Out of Got Away With and Got Caught At. That description came about after the author realized that it was just that. Time flies by so quickly. Where did it go. What has the author done with all the years. Here he remembers what he got into, got out of, got away with, and got caught at, hopefully with humor and dignity. Book dedication: To those who came before me, I dedicate the following letter whose author is unknown: Dear Ancestor Your tombstone stands among the rest; neglected and alone, The name and date are chiseled out on polished marble stone. It reaches out to all who care; it is too late to mourn, You did not know that I exist; you died and I was born. Yet each of us are cells of you; in flesh, in blood, in bone, Our blood contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own. Dear Ancestor, the place you filled, a hundred years ago, Spreads out among the ones you left; who would have loved you so. I wonder if you lived and loved; I wonder if you knew, That someday I would find this spot, and come to visit you. ~Author Unknown~ To those who come behind me, it is hoped that the following stories will give you an insight to who I was. I think of it as a collection of stories of what I got into, got out of, got away with, and got caught at.

C

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