BEATEN and BATTERED An Autobiography... Born into poverty, whipped with a leather lash with nine tails, all with split ends until his legs, buttocks and back were bloody. He was only 10 years old. Punched in the ribs and eye; two ribs broken and most of the blood vessels in his eye were ruptured and took weeks before his vision returned. He was only 14 years old. Stranded in Chicago, he was victimized and raped. He was only 15 years old. Arrested, accused of committing a felony and experienced Chicago's corruption until he was released. He was only 17 years old. Realized his lack of education and financial resources, he joined the army to help his plan for his future. He was 20 years old. Married, parented 3 children, he went on to attain financial success. He retired at 55 years of age. Not yet finished, at age 70 he founded a company that became the second retail Internet store. His life was full of turns and challenges, yet was exciting and even outlandish. His story is at its heart, quintessentially American.
