"When I reached my eleventh year at high school dropped out and joined the U. S. Army. I took up field wiremen course. It was very interesting and I learned a great deal."
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The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man by Paul Ramsden Trafford Publishing
book review by Maggie Harding
Part journal, part memoir The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man takes the reader on a journey through the life of Paul A. Ramsden, born Leiter. He was born in 1946 to Patricia L. Leiter in New Kensington, PA. He and his mother lived with her parents, Elmer and Rose Leiter until age four when his mother married Thomas J. Ramsden. Paul never knew his biological father because he had been killed in an explosion at work. When his mother and step-father gave birth to twins, Paul was about six years old and began to feel some sibling rivalry that is not too unusual in these situations. His childhood was spent in a comfortable neighborhood with friends and caring adults around to keep an eye on them. Yet he managed to get into trouble with many pranks and antics but nothing really serious... a broken window here, a broken bone there. Ordinary kid stuff.
The extraordinary part arrives with Ramsden's attention to the details of his life, remembering fondly the time he spent with his family and friends. For example, the time visiting his grandparents when they heard a loud thud ...and found Oscar my great grandfather lying dead on the bathroom floor. He had a very nice and large funerial (sic) with many of his close friends there. Ramsden writes in a stream of consciousness style that moves swiftly from past to present but clearly defines both. He reminisces about his days in the Army, his travels abroad, and the fun he had with his best friend Silvio. Those ordinary men who have shared many experiences similar to those of the author may be inspired to write their own "extraordinary" story and leave a legacy for their families.