Jackie O'Riley never had life handed him on a platter. For one thing, he was born in a time of poverty and uncertainty, when most Americans could barely stay alive and keep a roof over their heads. At least he's not alone as he struggles to overcome his predicament. Narrowly avoiding war, he sees his nation become a world of electricity and automobiles. He sees people at their worst and best as he moves across country, always with one goal in mind - to be somebody. About the Author: Pat Frank is no stranger to hardship. She was born to Troy and Mattie Crotts in Mississippi, where her parents eked out a living sharecropping and farming until they moved to Orange Cove, California, where they were field laborers. Pat worked at several jobs until she and her second husband, Larry Frank, opened their own business. She now lives in Hanford, CA. Beyond Jack Squat is Pat's second novel.