Ben Hiatt has brought this collection of editorials, essays and stories to book form to show what a crazed lunatic can do, given enough spare time and a typewriter or two.  Throw in a computer and great God almighty, the man just might make sense.  These short "takes" on life in Ben's home base of Mt. Aukum, a small town in Southern El Dorado county at the base of the Sierra Nevada range, speak of the trials of life not only in small, rural areas, but life, period.   Take any one of these essays, which originally appeared in his local monthly periodical, The Mountain Trader, and you will find your life on the page.  He will make you cry; he will help you laugh; he will send shivers of total recognition up and down your spine.  Follow him down into ragged canyons in search of native mountain trout.  Walk beside him under a half moon on the trail to Shriner Lake in the Mokolumne Wilderness.  Look, with him, over the shoulders of local beauracrats and politicians as he brings you information these worthies would rather you not see. 
This book will take you on a ride.  All Aboard!