This book contains the author's online writings, known as the blog "Jim's Observations," at http//jimsobservations.com/. While the blog continues to grow and evolve, the book provides a record of the first 36 postings, from August 2013 to September 2014. The postings are grouped in three principal categories: Other Times, imparting some flavor of earlier cultures. The coverage thus far deals with the lives and thoughts of two ancient Romans, a child of the 1930s, and a man of the previous generation, 1884-1954. Travel Adventures, some of them unusual activities, such as a spy mission, atomic weapons tests, and front-line operations during wartime. Others were visits to exotic places that few Americans have seen, such as Alaskan glaciers, a Persian carpet factory, and the floating market of Bangkok. All are drawn from the author's career as a geologist.

Politics, facts and opinions previously published as newspaper Letters to the Editor. This book is also available in color as a paperback and Kindle e-book.