Charles G. Smith was born in Vermont in 1940. He grew up in an era when college graduation, marriage, family, and home ownership were considered normal parts of life. Real estate w...view moreCharles G. Smith was born in Vermont in 1940. He grew up in an era when college graduation, marriage, family, and home ownership were considered normal parts of life. Real estate was considered to be a good, safe long-term investment. After receiving a B.S. Degree at Allegheny College and the M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Michigan, Charles worked 32 years as an industrial analytical chemist. The home ownership part of his family’s American Dream fell apart after 13 happy retirement years. The ensuing mortgage modification ordeal transformed the mild-mannered chemist, family-man, and part-time golfer into an author. This is his first literary work.view less