James M. Slattery, a native of North Dakota, was born in 1907. He became interested in politics and sports at an early age—activities he continued to follow during his later life. Mr. Slattery worked as a teacher, miner, casino dealer, and rancher in North Dakota and Nevada, but his most consuming interest has been in Nevada politics. Elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1950, and to the Nevada State Senate in 1954, he was a colorful and often controversial advocate of his political philosophy in the legislative forum for nearly two decades. Unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Congress in 1968 and for reelection to his state senate seat in 1970 halted—at least temporarily—a notable public career.

An interest in sports has brought Mr. Slattery national fame as a champion camel and ostrich rider in annual races in Virginia City, Nevada, and as a contestant in the annual frog-jumping contest at Angel's Camp, California.

The memoir includes a brief account of Slattery's early life in the midwest, a short teaching career, sketches of his work in northern Nevada mines, information about the Nevada legislature, and remarks about sports events. A philosophical conclusion and notes about his family end the interview.