The author recalls his poverty-stricken youth in Alabama in the 1960s and 70s, focusing on the extraordinary efforts of his mother to protect her sons from the violence of their father, a man scarred by war, and telling of the sacrifices she made so her children could have a better life.

Widow's mite: Man who buys books because they're pretty -- Killing, and a man who tried to walk on water -- Fake gold, other people's houses, and the finest man I never knew -- Dreaming that a crooked man will straighten up and fly right -- When God blinks -- Free show -- No papers on him -- In the mouth of the machine -- On the wings of a great speckled bird -- If you got to kill somebody, better it ain't family -- Under a hateful sky -- Getting above your raising -- Fine qualities -- 100 miles per hour, upside down and sideways -- Usual suspects -- Lies to my mother: In the temple -- Saturdays in October -- White tuxedoes -- Price tag on heaven -- Under Vulcan's hammer -- Running hot -- What if -- Paradise -- Miami, in madness -- Eating life -- Tap-tap -- Snow in a can -- Interview for the Ivy league -- Perfume on a hog -- New York -- Coming home -- Dining out with no money, and living with no life -- Buying bodies, eating lobster -- Getting even with life: Gone south -- Abigail -- Mrs. Smith, and family -- Monsters -- Validation -- 1.3 acres -- Same -- Who we are -- Safe in the dark.