A boy growing up in America during the Great Depression of the 1930s -- ambitious, inquisitive, blessed with endless energy -- had the world at his doorstep. Donald Beattie was such a boy. His many careers took him to all 50 states and 40 countries, a saga of adventure, exploration and discovery that will delight the old and fuel the dreams of the young. Donald Beattie served in the United States Navy, worked for Mobil as a geologist, with NASA as the same, and with the National Science Foundation in the field of energy. But that is just a taste. This book will satisfy scientist and layman alike. It is both a tribute to his thousands of coworkers and a memoir for his grandchildren. Its many photographs bring his stories vividly to life.