"Blessed are those who expect little" - Rated 
"For they are seldom disappointed"
I started with the recorded book 11 CD set and listened to the book read by Tony Hillerman. Then I bought his book (ISBN 0-06-050586-9) for the pictures of family and friends, and to look at the spelling.
There are many five star books out there. However this book excels beyond the five stars. Being the memoir of Tony Hillerman this is really several books in one as he remembers his several lives from impoverished childhood through military, through collage student, through reporter, now writer.
This memoir gives us many insights as to what Tony draws on for material in his books. And many aspects of his childhood can be related to by any child. His war experiences would rival "All Quiet on the Western front" and reflects the experiences of the most recent wars. I am now reading some of the source materials that he read for background of his novels.
. "Seldom Disappointed" actually enhances the enjoyment of reading the Tony Hillerman novels.
Essential reading for fans and not-yet fans - Rated
Seldom Disappointed
How did you get here?
Are you a fan oF Tony Hillerman's Navajo Tribal Police books, or his non-fiction publishings? If you are either, buy the book, if just to provide for all those expensive American medical expenses that afflict the more senior members of the population. We want Mr. hillerman to go on for a long time producing more absorbing copy.
Seriously tho', if you relate to his work, you will want to know more of the man. If you have stumbled upon this by happenchance, search Amazon and zshops for his titles. Good Reading!. By the way, thanks to BBC Radio4 for introducing me to this author. The jacket of this hardback edition is colourful, with the author's name and book title printed in relief.
The author leans against a gatepost and presents himself to the camera with an open, frank expression which reflects the contents of this absorbing autobiography.
Tony Hillerman, now in his seventies, recalls his life experiences in a rare mix of matter-of-fact modesty, stoicism, belief in his faith and the love of his family.
The book recalls the formative years of a child in the 1930's, tough to our modern conventions, but couched in the warmth of his father, mother and siblings' support. The passage through high-school education and the seemingly inevitable, though not entirely unwelcome call to arms for the duration of his Second World War is well written, even we Brits can identify with the mid-west of that time.
Tony Hillerman was a decorated survivor of the conflict, though his sometimes ambivalent recollections reinforce the reader's respect for the author. The chapters covering this period come across as factual, unembellished and sometimes thrilling, without any self-aggrandizement.
When duty is done, we find the author ready to apply himself to whatever job is available until he can enrol in college, where he is introduced to the next phase in his life experience, journalism.
I am not a journalist, but the narrative provides some insight into that profession; the layman will find thought-provoking accounts and it is during these recollections that the life-changing experience of the author occurs. He meets his wife, establishes his family and gets on with life. (My wife bought me this book for Christmas)
Next is acadaemia and a toe-dipping into fiction writing. Fate plays a helping hand in these endeavours and the author metamorphosizes into: successful crime fiction writer.
Okay, i've left a lot out. Buy the book!
I'm just waiting for the next episode in the Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn series out in late spring. Seldom Disappointed?, make that Never
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