Synopses & Reviews
Told from the point of view of a young boy, this account shows how a family and#147;faced the 1930s head on and lived to tell the story.and#8221; It is the story of growandshy;ing up in southern Illinois, specifically the Marion, area during the Great Depression. But when it was first published in 1972 the book proved to be more than one writerand#8217;s memories of depression-era southern Illinois.
and#147;People started writing me from all over the country,and#8221; Hastings notes. and#147;And all said much the same: and#145;You were writing about my family, as much as your own. Thatand#8217;s how I remember the 1930s, too.and#8217;and#8221;
As he proves time and again in this book, Hastandshy;ings is a natural storyteller who can touch upon the detail that makes the tale both poignant and univerandshy;sal. He brings to life a period that marked every man, woman, and child who lived through it even as that national experience fades into the past.
Review
and#147;ANickels Worth of Skim Milk gives the reader a million dollars worth of memories. You are taken into the family and see the depression through the young boyand#8217;s eyes.and#8221;and#151;Lindsay (CA) Gazette
Review
and#147;Skim Milk is a charming book. Hastings captures the moods, the petty visions, and heart-felt ambitions of a small town in southern Illinois during the depresandshy;sion...and#8221;and#151;Illinois Issues
About the Author
Robert J. Hastings is a retired editor and Baptist minister. During his retirement he has concentrated on creative writing, short-term teaching in colleges and seminaries, storytelling, and a syndicated radio program.