Jerry Bates thinks outside the box on the format of his new book as the book is actually two books in one. "My Life with Jim" recounts several episodes in the author's teenage life during the 60's in Caldwell, Idaho. Unlike his previous short story, "The Paperboy" which was only about 90% true, these stories are 100% factual (as the memory serves.) About midway through the book (after the stories about Jim) the reader will discover that the pages are upside down and will be forced to turn the book over and start over - so the back cover becomes the front - with a collection of poetry, thoughts, and observations titled, "More Stuff . . . from a Common Man." This collection of "stuff" is basically a continuation of Bates' previous book, "Thoughts of a Common Man."