Some would say we can't ever go back, but Ron La Point's Oshkosh: ASouthSiderRemembersdisproves that notion. His literary effort is a treasure drove of memories and a gift to his contemporaries who were also children of the south side during the 1940s and 1950s. To the rest, who didn't share this experience, his odyssey of memories can be the catalyst to seek out our own origins and recapture some of the innocence and charm of a bygone era. Some would say it is in our own nature to know who we are and from whence we came. If the notion has validity, Ron La Point has successfully scratched this itch. The book is a series of vignettes, the composite of which collectively tells the story of Oshkosh during his growingup years. Neighbors, the schools, professional and amateur sports, the intensity of adolescence games, the athletic prowess of his childhood friends, and a community of people woven into the fabric of his youth are only part of Ron's memories. There is hardly a single institution of Oshkosh's south side that escapes his scrutiny. For those of us who might be strangers to this city, Oshkosh: ASouthSider Rememberscan deepen our understanding and appreciation of Oshkosh. A strong work ethic, altruism born of a strong sense of community, love of family and an appreciation of the simple joys of life are legacies that add to the contemporary quality of life in this community.