Raised on Freedom by Gail McGuire

Book Blurb

A childhood full of hijinks and hair-raising escapades. Would her girlish adventures prepare her for a life filled with joys and sorrows?

Growing up in the heyday of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and the American Mafia, Gail McGuire’s fascinating reminiscences push the limits of modern views of child-rearing. And as this author enthusiastically recounts the endless delights and bittersweet struggles of her youth, she offers a glimpse into an era that transformed the world forever.

Idaho, the 1960s. Gail McGuire loved being part of the wild bunch. A lightly supervised youngster in the small town of Pocatello, she reveled in every moment of scrambling through neighborhood streets, chasing bold schemes, and roaming the idyllic open spaces. And ignoring her family’s hardships, she happily let her imagination thrive even in the face of looming life-altering turmoil.

Plucky and independent, Gail built a circle of free-spirited friends who helped her explore the ends of their corner of the earth. But as time passed, tensions in her home threatened to bring the gaiety to a crashing end.

Would there ever be a way to return to a land without oppressive fear and restrictive rules?

Raised On Freedom is a heartwarming memoir from the transformative Baby Boomer years. If you like entertaining anecdotes, honest looks at simpler times, and emotional insights, then you’ll adore Gail McGuire’s romp through memory.

Buy Raised On Freedom to toast days gone by!

Best Book Editors Review

A refreshingly happy memoir. This book is right up my alley. It’s set in my era and I adored the pop culture of the 70s throughout.

We follow Gail, her family, and her friends and neighbours. They all come to life beautifully on the page. The story is predominantly a joyful one.

The kids are kicked out getting out of their parent’s hair to play all day, and only coming home when it got dark. This was normal then. Today, while baddies prevent us from being safe, in the 70s two things roamed the street—kids and pet dogs. People opened their doors to let both run wild. It was a good time to be a child, and great to be alive.

Gail was happy. She played on tyre swings and had root beer floats at the diner. The story captivated me, with intricate descriptions of Native American-themed theatres and life in a small town. We explored Gail’s love of animals, especially horses a big favourite of mine so I was enthralled to meet the animal friends.

We run with the carefree girl, but then we come to the light and shade.

The book isn’t all about the lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer. Not all the characters are loveable And that gives the book a well-rounded feel and the realism that into each carefree life, a little rain must fall.

Us oldies travel back in time to joyous days of childhood—and for modern kids, just look what you missed out on. Can you imagine walking a mile to school on your own at 8 years old? We did and nobody thought anything of it. We played out after dark, and roamed far from home on our travels, with no mobile phones to be checked up on. And for us—the streets felt safer.

I loved this book and recommend it to anybody wanting to settle down and enjoy a good old romp through somebody else’s young life. It’s fascinating and very well written.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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S A Griffiths

An Intriguing Look Into One’s Childhood

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2024

Verified Purchase

This is an intriguing looking into one child who was born in the Boomer generation and what they went through as they grew up from the 1950s to the 70s. The love of and for her family and friends shines through as well as the adventures sometimes comical, sometimes sad and sometimes traumatic that she had to endure. The writing style is engaging and beautiful and I do wonder if we will read more about the author’s life in the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bernice Leahy

An Extraordinary Delight

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2023

I loved this autobiographical tale about life and friendship growing up in Idaho in the sixties. Even though I’m from the UK, I, too, am a baby boomer. So I could easily relate to this nostalgic look at the importance of early friendship. The lifetime bonds formed as we rode our horses and bikes and played out with our pals in the unadulterated joy of unconditional freedom—a far cry from life today. I feel privileged to have been allowed the freedom to do that. So like a trip down memory lane, this well-written, highly enjoyable book struck a chord with me as the author introduces us to her friends—engaging, utterly charming and riveting, it comes highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

torrenstp

I could relate to so much!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2023

Verified Purchase

Raised by freedom took me on a journey down memory lane. I am gen x as we are called now! The author talks of playing out with friends for hours, riding bikes, cuts and grazes patched up and much more. It was lovely to recall similar memories.
I am from the UK, and it was great to learn so much about the US.
From the 50s to the 60s and more. Music references, famous people including JFK and Martin Luther King was a delight to read. With the start of each chapter there is a quote authored by a famous person and they were fitting, loved them.
I cannot tell you how nostalgic this story made me feel. It was a delight to read and so well written. I highly recommend this read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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About Gail McGuire

Gail McGuire doubted she would ever write a book. She had been an intrepid tomboy, a free-spirited young adult, had outstanding children who produced superb grandchildren and achieved a successful career in Information Management. A psychic, her friends, and children told her she would write a book. And so, she tried. Now she is the author of two books: a childhood memoir and a supernatural suspense novel. Gail was born and raised in Southeast Idaho and has lived in Seatle, WA, Las Vegas, NV, and Santa Fe, NM. Gail currently resides in Las Vegas with her family.

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