Neal's work is a beautiful account of a trip down memory lane. The way he reminisces over memories of past events and that of his people who existed even long before the start of the 19th century took me on a journey over some time machine, each event being narrated so vividly that I felt as if I am watching a film. The memoir seemed to be more of a literal record of the writer's life and that of his relatives. Just because something happened doesn't mean you have to pen it down.