The author admits the book is quite personal, but his mother’s honesty and openness made writing much easier.

And because he was an honest, non-judgmental person, Curtis said the book honors his mother and captures “the growth of an ordinary Iowa farm girl into a caring, spiritually strong farm wife and civic-minded retiree.”

Curtis and his wife, Joy Hilleary Curtis, are both formerly of Fairfield. He studied history at Parsons College in Fairfield and the University of Iowa. For 30 years he taught English composition, American studies and gender studies at Michigan State University. He retired as a professor emeritus and continues geneaology research.

Jeff Hutton can be reached at (641) 683-5380 or via e-mail at jeff@ottumwacourier.com.

For your information

Author Bruce Curtis will hold a book signing event for his book, “Like Ordinary People: An Illustrated Iowa Social Biography of Josephine Mae Teeter Curtis and Her Times, 1903-2007” from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Fairfield Public Library.