The Best Years of Our Lives: The Good Old Days

by: Ken & Janice Tate, Editors

Published by: House of White Birches (DRG)

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

My familiarization with the magazine Good Old Days came through my mother. She read, enjoyed and saved copies for years. Through her, I became a fan of nostalgia. When Best of the Good Old Days arrived, I couldn’t contain my excitement nor could I stop myself from sitting down and reading for several hours, sighing occasionally.

Best of the Good Old Days is 40 years of stories from the magazine, and it includes stunning cover images from the magazines. As an added attraction there are real photos of people and the events from the earlier part of the 20th century.

My favorite stories will no doubt be different than the choices of others, but I will share them. “I Remember the Jubilee” is one of my favorites because I didn’t remember Jubilee’s and so it was new for me. “Remedies I Remember” is fascinating, a “Christmas At Grandmother’s” made me yearn for earlier Christmases in my own life, “Mr. Pettigrew and the Toothbrush” must be read for the fun of it. It’s a story that made me grin for hours. “Mama and the Chick Thief” and “Prisoners of War” are two other must reads.

Best of the Good Old Days continues to have a place of honor on the coffee table. I’ll pick it up periodically to reread stories and I’m sure our houseguests will do the same, that is if my mother doesn’t abscond with it first.

Armchair Interviews says: If you’re longing for the Good Old Days, this is a must have.