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I decided to write this book when I realized how little I knew about my own parents' young lives. The original intent was to communicate to my daughters and any subsequent Morgans about what it was like to grow up in Southern California in the '60s. It was such a turbulent period, it seemed essential to incorporate historical context to the narrative. The starting point I chose was the date my family moved to Claremont, California in June of 1961. The logical ending point was the day I was inducted into the US Army (May 23, 1967). In the process of writing the book, I realized how important my friendships were to me at the time and I explored those relationships more deeply than I originally intended. I also wanted to establish a feel for the regional identity and popular culture of the time.
The result is mostly specific to one particular geographic
area, the Claremont/Pomona/Upland region of Southern
California, but also, I think, applicable more broadly. To
accomplish that, I did fictionalize certain aspects of my
story. Obviously, I can’t remember discussions from fifty
plus years ago verbatim. I did my best to make such
elements true, if not literally true.
This book, then, is a collection of creative nonfiction,
employing techniques like scene, dialogue, and description,
while allowing personal point of view. I do not claim to be
objective, but whenever I have considered it necessary, I
have changed names, details, and characteristics of people
and places.
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
James H. Morgan’s memoir, The Reject Bench, wholeheartedly buys into the idea of growing pains, particularly about isolation as brought about by not being able to make new friends. The author’s story begins in June 1961, a week after finishing his freshman year at Upland High School. The move is only five miles from their Upland residence in California, but he feels like they have moved to a different state. This is understandable considering that he will be leaving so much behind, particularly his friends who think that he is moving to Snob City. The move has something to do with his dad’s promotion at work. Being the new kid in a new school is never fun. As he settles into the rhythms of his new environment, he prepares for the worst and that is pretty much what he gets. In the gradual progress of events, he will find his own circle of friends, and as they try to navigate their coming of age, they will witness the world running into tensions and crises.
James H. Morgan magnificently captures the nostalgia of the 1960s. There is power in the recollection of ordinary people chronicling their experience in specific times in history because it gives a powerful illustration of how ordinary citizens lived and witnessed history—there is often no revisionism involved to advance a personal agenda. The beauty of The Reject Bench is that Morgan skillfully blends both the mundane and colorful episodes in his life and how they are shaped by the events of the times. How he views the looming war in Vietnam captures the sentiments of a considerable portion of the American population about a war they didn’t want that ended up needing more soldiers. A sweeping and intelligent memoir, The Reject Bench is a celebration of growing up and a powerful look into the past from a deep, personal view.
