Cold ‘Coon & Collards is both a time-travel experience and a window into someone beginning to live a life of independent thought, expression, curiosity and following his own heart. Jerked from family farm to Cold War military bases by his father’s naval career, young Mark grows up in the 1950s, indoctrinated with Apocalyptic fundamentalism and right-wing politics. After meeting people who don’t conform to that world view, because of race or religion, Mark drifts away from the fold. The cultural detonations of the 1960s are just beginning.

Here in well-chosen and pinpoint detail, is a memoir from a real American original. John Schnick and I have been friends since high school. I always thought he was born with critical thinking skills. This book pretty well proves it.

–JOHN COATE, co-founder of The Well, (the first on-line social network)

JOHN MARK SCHNICK has been a farm boy, navy brat, juvenile delinquent, high school dropout, railroad bum, alpinist, art director, and now, a writer. He lives in Berkeley, California with his wife Josie, plus two large smelly dogs.