"Lyle Manley’s recollections of boyhood adventures begin at the ripe old age of four, and continue on a lively romp through sixth grade. His gift for self-expression arrived at an early age, when he discovered the joys of rhyming couplets, using words that were highly inappropriate for a kindergartener.

Additionally, he felt the disappointment of an underappreciated visual artist when his idea to paint the driveway with lead-based paints met with strong disapproval. Ditto for his crayon creations on the bedroom walls.

When Manley was due to enter first grade, his family pulled up stakes and moved from Long Beach, CA, to his father’s hometown of Pony. He spent the summer with grandparents, in a rural setting where the possibilities for boys to do “what boys do best” were vast, before beginning grade school in Bozeman.

The author adored his grandparents, and wanted to emulate his grandfather’s gentle demeanor. “During the summer of 1959, I wanted to grow up to be just like him,” he writes. “I still do.”

His daydreams of being a rich and famous author, which would elevate him above attending regular school, often put him at odds with his teachers and parents. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Manley defends myriad boyhood transgressions.

Baseball, winter sledding adventures, summer camping trips, and lots of relatives close by are fodder for his entertaining story. His was a rich and full life, and he has only written about the first 12 years!

Manley is a graduate of The University of Montana School of Law and worked as a lawyer for the state until his retirement in 2009. This is his first book."

–Judy Shafter, Montana State of the Arts

"I wrangled up a copy of [Adventures of a Misfit] and I was thoroughly entertained by his recollections of growing up in Pony and then Bozeman, Montana. Lyle has a quirky sense of humor and an amazing vocabulary that I wouldn't have suspected heading into this reading endeavor."

-Dave Van Nice, montanapic100.blogspot.com

"'Quirky Unique Inspired Visionary Funny' That says it all about the cool "Montana book" that's up for grabs tomorrow.... Farcountry Press down in Helena has done it again with this delightful read from Montana author Lyle Manley. Mr. Manley's new memoir takes readers on his delightful(?) boyhood adventures. Adventures? That's the title of this tome... ADVENTURES Of A Misfit: Coming of Age in the 50s & 60s. Lyle Manley recalls his humorous misadventures as a boy growing up in the mid-century & follows Lyle through his first 12 years, beginning out in Long Beach, California, then, following a long & arduous summer car trip, Pony & Bozeman, Montana!"

"It’s a 'must read' for sure!"

Jerry Puffer, KSEN Radio