Preposterous Papa

I recently went to my local library's book sale.  Such fun!  Especially at the end when they did fill a bag for $2.  I filled five bags.  My classroom library just got a huge boost.  Yay!

As I was looking over books, I found this treasure:

Preposterous Papa is one of my favorite books, and this one is signed by the author!  This inspired me to review Preposterous Papa this week.  Because it is delightful and you should know about it.

Ever heard of Sapulpa, Oklahoma?  I've seen signs for it on my way to Tulsa.  One of these days I am going to stop and check it out, and the reason is this book.

Preposterous Papa is a memoir of Lewis Meyer, a Sapulpa native whose father moved there from Texas with his new bride in the early days of Oklahoma statehood.  The story of Max Meyer and his larger-than-life antics will keep any reader laughing and crying all the way from Max's plan to sell 6,000 muddy yellow collarless shirts clear till his attempt to physically remove a newly bought house from one end of town to the other.    He was a farmer, a merchant, a town philanthropist, and a benefactor of the days when oil ruled Oklahoma.  The oil wells made it possible for him to build a ranch, tenant houses, a motel, two gas stations, a flagpole, an in-town house, and much more.  In between all he did are his hilarious stories.  Whether he is cracking the code to his father-in-law's safe or bottling explosive hot sauce, Max's laugh is one comedic tale after another. 

This book is not that easy to find - it's out of print now, although it's had a couple of reprints. It is probably easier to find in the Midwest area, and in Oklahoma, the Meyer family is much better known and the books are more common.  It's a little known book, but it's the story of thousands of immigrants and pioneers throughout American history who have worked hard to make their way in the world.  They had dreams, they moved west, and they made their dreams happen.  They were strong and innovative and built a life for themselves.  Max Meyer's story is hilarious and touching, but it's also a brilliant picture of a certain time and place in American history.  Max is the embodiment of the pioneer spirit - for him, the sky is the limit in all things, and everything he puts his mind to is big, extravagant, and inevitably a reality.

If you can find a copy of Preposterous Papa, it's a quick read and will make your heart smile.  max Meyer was a much-loved character in the little booming town.  Everyone knew - and everyone loved - Max.  He made the town better, and his story is worth telling - and reading. 

P.S.  I have finished The Chaperone, but I will post my review of it next week in support of the author's visit to the Pittsburg Public Library! 

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
What I'm reading now: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
TBR:
1. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
2. Crazy Love by Francis Chan
3. The Story of Britain by Rebecca Fraser
4. Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal
5. The Autobiography of Henry VIII  by Margaret George