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Tales of a Rollercoaster Operator: Stories from My Missouri Youth

Childhood and adolescence were a virtual rollercoaster ride for Mark Johnson. In his second book—Tales of a Rollercoaster Operator: Stories from My Missouri Youth—he navigates the highs and lows of coming of age in St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1960s and 1970s.Experience Mark’s favorite growing-up twists and turns in this collection of twenty-six funny and poignant essays, including learning to drive a rollercoaster, discovering the joys of a first pet, embarking on a quest with his father to wrangle World Series tickets, and witnessing the wonder in a brand new year after a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. This book of stories will inspire you to revisit your youth, dust-off your favorite memories, and find new meaning in the indelible moments that stay with you for a lifetime. Born in St. Louis, Mark Johnson graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1979. In 1980, he moved to the Chicago area, where he began a successful, thirty-four-year career as a communication professional. In 2014, Mark retired from corporate life and began a new chapter. He published his first book—From Fertile Ground: The Story of My Journey, My Grief, My Life—in 2016. The book is a writer’s mosaic and memoir that spans three generations. It examines our human desire to make sense of our heritage, find our own path, and leave our mark on the world.Mark and his husband Tom divide their time between the Chicago area and Scottsdale, Arizona.Read more

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