The Trouble With Gumballs
The Trouble With Gumballs by James Nelson, published by Rolly Bolly Press on May 9, 2014, is a humorous exploration of entrepreneurship set against the backdrop of 1950s America. This 256-page memoir presents a unique blend of retail business history and personal anecdotes as Nelson recounts his journey into the gumball machine business after relocating his family to California. The narrative captures both the comic frustrations and the charming naiveté of his experiences, offering readers a glimpse into a bygone era of American culture.
In this engaging memoir, readers will find a vivid portrayal of the colorful characters Nelson encounters throughout his entrepreneurial endeavors. The story not only highlights the challenges of running a gumball business but also serves as a humorous reflection on the spirit of determination in the face of setbacks. With its focus on humor and the quirks of business life, this book appeals to fans of humorous travel writing and those interested in the history of retail in California, particularly in regions like Sonoma County and San Francisco.
Official synopsis Publisher
A CLASSIC OF WESTERN NARRATIVE NON-FICTION This portrait of a gumball entrepreneur’s life in 1950s America is a slice or retail business history and a funny freelance memoir all rolled into one. When James Nelson decides to move his family out West to California in 1952, he takes the leap into entrepreneurship by buying a slew of gumball machines. The ad guaranteed quick profits and easy money, but comic frustrations were what he got. Savvy modern readers will laugh at Nelson’s charming naiveté while millennial freelancers will identify with his determination to keep on after endless setbacks. The gumball machine is an iconic symbol of 1950s Americana, and while the story chronicles Nelson’s foibles with gumball entrepreneurship, it’s the funny characters he meets along the way that are the true stars of this funny memoir. His larger-than-life descriptions of the characters of San Francisco and Sonoma county paint historic California as a fun scene-even for a man who makes his living one grubby penny at a time. A fun read for fans of humorous travel writing, Sonoma County or San Francisco narratives, or anyone wanting to get an insider view of start-up from the days before Silicon Valley.
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