Book excerpt: A Japanese bar that becomes much more than a place to get a drink. An unusual dream. A man who lost his wife unexpectedly. An obnoxious drunk who gets more than he bargained for. Ranging from autobiographical to allegorical, each of these stories-and more-finds a home in Bob Stockton's fifth book, A Man Who Lost His Wife and Other Stories. The book's first section includes stories and comments not previously published. The second section highlights stories adapted from the author's first book, Listening to Ghosts, which describes the coming of age of a boy who lives in a bluecollar neighborhood in the Northeast. The final section features stories adapted from the author's third book, Counting Coup: The Odyssey of Captain Tom Adams, based on the adventures of the larger-than-life nineteenth century scout Kit Carson. Readers will find humorous snippets that last no more than a few paragraphs to longer stories that touch the heart. Grab a cup of coffee and escape into the mind of a Navy veteran with a flair for describing what's really important in life.