Grit, Smoke and Steam

As a deep and personal gift to his two sons, James J. Messina wrote (in longhand) and illustrated his life story. His youngest son, Chuck, was so impressed with his father?s talent, he contacted a journalist at the Beaver County Times who was known for his interest in local history. After interviewing Mr. Messina, a two-page article describing the book was published in the local section of the newspaper. The journalist praised his work as a tremendous accomplishment, as well as an important piece of history, and urged his son to share it with the world. It took Chuck almost nine years to accomplish this dream becoming a reality. With the dawn of the digital age, and the economy in a downturn the whole time, it was nearly impossible to find anyone interested in this type of manuscript. The first task was the most difficult, transcribing the entire manuscript word-for-word. That in itself was a monumental job. After numerous publishers showing interest, but then retracting their offers, editing and re-editing, months of sorting through piles of transcribed and written versions of the story, arranging and organizing illustrations, researching multitudes of websites and books, submitting and re-submitting files, it?s finally come to fruition. This book is based on material from five hand-written volumes of stories and drawings that his father compiled over the years using large bound artist sketch books. Most of the original illustrations were in color, one hundred sixty-four in all, with captions describing each and every one. These drawings are of activities from days-gone-by, and specific to the little town, West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, where he grew up. The story is rather typical of most of his generation: children of immigrant parents, impacted by the Great Depression, finding financial stability with work in the steel mill; service in World War II; a new life after discharge with marriage, buying a home and car, and having children; and the final gift, retirement. This story will be d?ejavu to many in the southwestern Pennsylvania region because it reflects the lives of many from that era. It is not a captivating mystery leading to a riveting climax. Instead, it?s a collection of vignettes, accompanied by beautiful illustrations, with some entertaining and great moments, during a time gone by, that has been captured by a very special and gifted storyteller. His story, and the manner in which it?s told, is a testament to what a truly amazing man James J. Messina was.