Author's Bio

THE AUTHOR, a storyteller and a man of strong convictions, lived his life with respect
and loyalty to those he trusted and were his friends. He gained his education through
observation as he traveled across the land from a very early age.
He was a tough kid with a chip on each shoulder when Mr. Beatty, the worlds
greatest wild lion trainer first saw him on the circus lot. Mr. Beatty was impressed by
his show of respect and fearless demeanor and not only gave him a job working for
him but also taught him how to fight.
During WWII, The Company Commander of Fort MacArthur was his guardian
protempore while Mr. Beatty was off fighting for his country. He was considered to be
"the toughest kid that ever came down the pike," the words of Sgt. Major Bill Bauld,
the man who made Fort MacArthur run and taught him the ropes. His second book,
"What a Way to Spend a War" tells of the war years in San Pedro, CA. He lived on
Beacon Street and hustled for Heimie, the Concessionaire, at all the sporting events,
fairs and at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A.
Mr. Beatty made him Train Master while the Circus was on the road after the Great
War was over, and was his friend and mentor until his passing in the '60s'.
Always an outdoorsman, he relived his life in his stories and in his songs in his travels.
The Hustlers' Song, "The Fox He Went Out On a Chilly Night", sung by Burl Ives
was one.
He was the fourth generation of Havards who came to America from Whales. They
built the wooden derricks across the land and worked the oil fields. He worked as a
wildcatter, drilling for virgin oil at times during his heydays.
He lived for 77 years and, during his lifetime, was loved and respected by all who
knew him.
"What a Way to Spend a War" tells of his enterprises as a young man and will be out
sometime soon.
It has been a year since his departure from this earth. I love and respect him and my
thoughts are with him. To see that his stories that have made it to the written word
are published is my goal in honor and respect to him, - a MAN - , no more and no
less.

J.E. Havard

{GRP} GRASS ROOTS PUBLICATIONS
Introduction to the AUTHOR, SHIPPINBOW/Joel Allen Havard

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