Past Imperfect, Present Progressive

Past Imperfect, Present Progressive is a gallimaufry of reminiscences by a vocal member of the Silent Generation. Kerry Wood traces this childhood during the late Depression and World War II to adulthood and seniority, in stories and poems born of experiences as a four-year-old a career high-school teacher. Enjoy moments of melancholy punctuating a lifetime of exuberant playfulness, in such unlikely places as Shakespearean tragedy, English grammar, prosody, Scrabble spelling bees, and service in the lowest ranks of the U. S. Army. Wood pens the traumas of childhood, the triumph of a Yale education, the small joys to be found in teaching adolescents, and the agony of growing older. No fireworks. Just daily illuminations. A good read. - Pam Walton, Documentary Filmmaker The hats Kerry Wood has worn are multifarious and variegated: Catholic grade school and high-school student, Yale graduate, Russian translator, secondary teacher of English in Turkey and California, world traveler, sports aficionado, editor of literature anthologies, amateur poet and essayist, stroke survivor, devoted husband and father. Mr. Wood, a born raconteur and polished memoirist, shares a life deeply rich in experience. Those curious about why a highly intelligent Ivy-League graduate would devote his career to teaching adolescents need only read former students' tributes to Mr. Wood to realize that the author's choice of vocation has been amply justified. - Edmund J. Farrell, Professor Emeritus of English Education, The University of Texas at Austin Kerry wood tops the list of the teachers who helped form me as a communicator. His respect for proper use of the language and his clever turns of a phrase never ceased to entertain me. His memoirs are filled with sweet stories well told. Creative writing and occasional doggerel verse recall the educational light touch of Lynne Truss' Eats Shoots and Leaves. What impressed me most about Past Imperfect, Present Progressive were Mr. Wood's self-effacing style and his commitment to telling the unvarnished truth. As his student, I wish to know him better. I know that I feel I have. - John Naber Olympic Swimming Champion , Network Television Announcer, Motivational Speaker