Small Town Showdown

By Eileen Umbehr

Keen Umbehr, a trash hauler in rural Kansas, was an "affliction" to the county commissioners in Wabaunsee County. He did what most of us only talk about: He got involved in local politics by attending... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1602668795
• ISBN13: 9781602668799
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Xulon Press
• Length: 488 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Small Town Showdown

This book is about a true to life good ole boys in a small town/community and how they rule the roost. They had ruled for so long it was hard for them to accept the ideas of anyone new and that they might be wrong. In fact, it went all the way to the Supreme Court that they were wrong in trying to force their way or the highway upon an individual and his family. Mrs. Umbehr does a very good job of telling all the true facts.

Excellent telling of a true story

I knew this story before reading this book, but wanted to read the book to learn more of the details. I was a bit skeptical of it being something that could keep my interest. I was wrong. This book is well written, well organized and even though I knew how it ended, I was cheering for Keen as I read. As others have stated, it was hard to put down and there were nights I had to just quit reading because it was so late. Parts of the book are transcripts, newspaper articles and court documents. These are tied together well-written narratives and discussions of the events that took place. This is a book most anyone could enjoy and understand. It is not full of legal jargon and does not require a legal background to be understood. Anyone intereseted in how our court system works can learn from this book. It really is worth reading.

Excellent Book We Couldn't Put Down

(Please Note: The following review was sent to the author via email and has been reprinted with Linda Jernigan's permission.) Up until last night, I must confess that I had only read parts of Small Town Showdown because I thought it might be kind of tedious to read. Well, my friend, I was up until 1:30 a.m. and was totally absorbed in the story and details that I thought I knew very well. I did not - and I lived here! I finally had to go to bed at Chapter 6, although I could have stayed up all night! I don't think I can put into words how perfectly you have told your story and done it in a masterful way with the legal documents, along with some personal insights. Eileen, it is just SUPERB!!! Your book pulls the reader into the real sense of the corruption, legal details and frustration you lived through. And even though it is not a book containing your personal journals, I can clearly understand the turmoil, alienation and small town division that I know you, Keen and your family endured. I just wanted you to know that what you went through made a difference - not only then, but for many, many years to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for enduring the fight for all of us! Sincerely, Linda Jernigan Maple Hill, Kansas (Please Note: The following review was sent to the author via email and has been posted with Mr. Buchman's permission.) One wouldn't believe how a work such as this could be so magnetizing. Once started, it was impossible for us to put down. We read 120 pages without intermission. Can't comprehend how Umbehr kept track of all the pieces, which were incorporated into the book. That's remarkable in itself. The writing to tie the diverse sections together was especially appreciated. It was a bit difficult for our small brain to follow a few times, going from one part to another, but we soon got back into the meat. Frank J. Buchman Alta Vista, KS

A True Look At Small Town America ***

A wonderfully Put Together Book....A Real Glimpse of What Small Town America is Really Like!! Well written, and well Documented...Most people would not believe county government to be as portrayed....but it so very, very true. At times it is very hard reading...but that is only because you are reading the actual court records. Everyone should read this book so that they may glimpse politics and the "good ole boy" mentality at its very worst. EXCELLENT!!