Book excerpt: Four Score and More finds the author in his 87th year. That life began at the end of 1923, embracing the Great Depression that devalued our over-mortgaged farm in Pike County, Illinois; 10 years of semi-privation saw it paid off. Even so, The Times of My Life knew both up-times and down-times in that decade, good practice for the rest of a long life. A one-room country school brought education early into my life, and education led to most of the best up-times to follow. The first degree (bachelor of science in agriculture, University of Illinois) brought me across the threshold into the wider world, with some academic problems and a war to deal with before I got there. University life brought boons, none greater than linking with the love and companion of the next 64 years (still counting): the anchor of family, herself a high achiever and inspiration and mentor to me and two beloved children—and three grandchildren. Two degrees followed: M.S., technical journalism, Iowa State University, and Ph.D.(first in the extended family), behavioral communication, University of Wisconsin. One career was 30 years of faculty tenure as professor of journalism and mass communication and leader of a staff of educational-media producers. Early retirement (age 56) opened the way for two decades of work abroad: three international agricultural research centers and then private consulting in agricultural and environmental communication, from a few weeks to months and years in over 40 countries on five continents.