That's the Way it Was: Interviews of Ozark Folk Born in the 1800s

That's the Way it Was is a collection of wonderful stories of yesteryear, weaving tales handed down from generation to generation and describing a way of life long since past, but somehow strangely familiar.

In this book, Ripley County resident and storyteller in her own right, Thelma S. McManus, has captured the essence of rural America and life in the Ozarks, recounted by folks some would call “senior citizens.” These stories recount a time when days were long and the work was hard; when God was feared and a man's word was his bond; and when neighbors weren't strangers, but friends. 

For some, this book will bring back happy memories of childhood and the way things used to be… others will gain a sense of respect and admiration for those who came before.

Thelma McManus Book Review

A wonderful look into a part of American history.