Don't throw away your stick till you cross the river : the journey of an ordinary man / by Vincent Beach with Anni Beach.

Vincent Beach seems an ordinary man from ordinary beginnings. Look deeper, however, and you'll discover a special human being. Vincent left his native Jamaica in 1944 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Yearning to be a jazz musician, he bought an old clarinet and practiced. Through his perseverance, he found his way to America and a career for 22 years as a bandsman in the U.S. Air Force. Becoming an educator, he served the children on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, and later enjoyed teaching in community college. Share the joys and woes of an ordinary man in his storied autobiography.

Part One: 1924-1944. 1. Foundation -- 2. Mas T -- 3. Miss Rosa -- 4. A Typical Day -- 5. Mea Culpa -- 6. Business Ventures -- 7. Other Lessons -- 8. Work -- 9. The Death of Mother -- 10. Goodbye, Jamaica -- Part Two: 1944-1956. 11. The SS Cuba -- 12. Royal Air Force -- 13. First Time -- 14. Music -- 15. Practice Somewhere Else -- 16. Stowaway -- 17. Debut -- 18. A Campaign for America -- 19. Indianapolis -- 20. Mrs. Hunter -- 21. Land of the Free? -- 22. Re-entry -- 23. United States Air Force -- Part Three: 1956-1977 -- 24. My Search for a Bride -- 25. Murphy's Law -- 26. Two Sons -- 27. Texas -- 28. The Mexican Connection -- 29. Worries -- 30. Clark Air Force Base -- 31. Third Son -- 32. Bandsman in the Philippines -- 33. Fourth Son -- 34. Colorado -- 35. Olive Street -- 36. Quest for Education -- 37. The American Dream -- 38. Go Faster, Dad! -- 39. No Diagnosis -- 40. Retirement -- 41. Transitions -- Part Four: 1977-1983 -- 42. Arizona -- 43. Lupus -- 44. Flight -- 45. Wings of the Dawn -- 46. Sanjay's Testimony -- 47. Divorce -- 48. Three Grown Sons -- 49. A Letter from My Heart -- Part Five: 1983-Present. 50. Kinlichee Principal -- 51. Flag Ceremony -- 52. Crossroads -- 53. Life Began Again -- 54. A New Home -- 55. Around the Table -- 56. New Life, New Work -- 57. Is This It? -- 58. Dreams -- 59. Go, My Son -- 60. Love You, Lal -- 61. John 15 -- 62. Wide Receiver -- 63. Strings -- 64. Tattoo -- 65. La Fortza del Destino -- 66. My Golden Years or This IS It! -- 67. Son-in-Love -- 68. Grandpa's Asleep -- 69. Daughter and Friend -- Thoughts of an Ordinary Man -- The Family Circle -- All Will Be Well.

NLJCols20082021