About the Book

The Yellow Dirt Road is an inspiring account of survival and success against overwhelming odds. Jim M.'s memoir is a story for our times, a story told with levity and compassion by a man who overcame the unfathomable hardships of crippling polio, alcoholism and the sudden death of his young first wife and their unborn son.

Style and Tone

With humor reminiscent of Mark Twain, Jim's remembrances chronicle the journey of a man propelled by an indomitable spirit, a journey that travels from the simplicities of a dirt farm to the heart of a democracy.

Jim's Achievements

Along the way, Jim became a federal prosecutor appointed by Robert F. Kennedy, a Superior Court judge appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, and an elected state senator.

His Commitment and Message

With a remarkably grateful heart and an unwavering commitment to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, Jim has maintained more than forty-seven years of sobriety and, in the eighth decade of his life, continues to carry the message of recovery and hope to thousands of alcoholics around the country.

Themes and Emotions

There are jewels here, and laughter and tears, and in times of confusion, a kind of triumphant wisdom that keeps the compass pointing to a true north.