In this lively memoir written with his characteristically dry Nova Scotian wit, Dr. Steele shares anecdotes from throughout his long life that literally took him from the horse-drawn wagon and sailing schooner era to jet aircraft and moon landings. Born in 1898 in a small Nova Scotian fishing village on the Bay of Fundy, where isolation and harsh winters mandated ingenuity and resourcefulness, Archie Steele describes how he and his friends survived and thrived despite losses along the way. Archie describes his education in strict denominational schools under challenging conditions, leading him eventually to medical school in California. He eventually set up a busy practice in Los Angeles where he treated everyone from indigent immigrants to businessmen and government officials to Hollywood stars. When he retired at age 91-1/2, he was the oldest practicing physician in Los Angeles county. He shares stories of interesting patients and cases that he attended to that reveal how much the practice of medicine changed during the 20th century--and how interesting people have remained!
Dr. Steele never forgot his Nova Scotian roots. He built several large yachts in the backyard of his medical office, sawing, sanding and hammering between patients. He successfully raced Placebo and later Stella Maris around southern California, then built Stella Maris II which he raced to Honolulu in Transpac, finishing first in 1941. The novel designs of these and other boats are mentioned in the book, along with his many interesting sailing experiences. Ranching was another hobby that recalled the experiences of his youth, and Dr. Steele shares stories of ranching life, animals, interesting people, and unexplained night visitors to the old ranch house.
Whether describing his childhood, education, medical practice, sailing or ranching, Dr. Steele's stories simultaneously inform, entertain, and inspire!
The Deluxe Color Edition of this book has a mix of historical B&W and color images. The Standard Edition has the same images but only in black and white, which substantially reduces publishing costs and thus the price at which we can offer this book. The eBook edition has the same image colors as in the Deluxe Color Edition if your device can support color, or only black and white if that is all your device can display.
