Phil StannardI DECIDED TO WRITE THIS BOOK, not because there is anything notable about my story, but rather about a place and time in history through which I have lived, that not enough is written about. It may one day be considered one of the two or three most sgnificant periods of Vermont and its influence on a nation. The period from 1945 to 2016 represents the entire rise, reign, and early decline of Vermont as a significant industrial/agricultural mecca, a complete metamorphosis of its character to a caricature and numerous other political and economic conditions. I like to say that "as goes Vermont, so goes the country," first to free slaves, aggressive in producing and protecting the country's independence, and liberties, notable at the forefront of the development of an independent nation, with Ethan Allen and The Green Mountain Boys, and General George J. Stannard leading the Vermont Boys in the Civil War at Gettysburg. I'll talk about a religion here that developed into a worldwide movement. In modern times, beginning with Gov. Madaline Kunin, Vermont has completely reversed its political image from tough defenders of freedom, liberty and independence to leading the nation in its decline into "Bureaucratic socialism," not equaled or joined by the nation until the election of President Barack Obama. As a news commentator, Bill O'Reilly has often chided Vermont as a liberal laughing stock. As a noted historian, Bill O'Reilly should have looked deeper into the people and events that shaped, and ultimately re-shaped this interesting place, and where it fits into the unapologetic experiment called America. He should have explained where the blame lies, and how it all fits into the equation of repeated history. He didn't do that, so I will. I have lived all of it. In setting the stage for analyzing this period, I will also refer to the events and attitudes and experiences of some of my many ancestors who in other times were more interesting and influential than I, and had a great deal to do with the founding and development of this great place. Read More Read Less