“CLASS: Thoughts of an Ordinary Man”, written by Howard V. Blair and published by Publish America, presents an entertaining slant to the word ‘Class’ by defining the best and worst qualities in us. He does not try to compete with the intellectual, but rather fills his book with stories of people he has known that have it…and a few that didn’t.

Like Celia Cleveland, author and former professor of English at NY University, says, his personal stories of events and people in his life are visual, courageous, insightful, curious, fresh, lively, and sometimes funny. His “war stories” are powerful and poignant.

Howard, at his retirement, was President of the tenth largest convenience store company. He founded several food service and petroleum affiliates, and wrote a performance analysis that searched for man’s best qualities in potential employees. In a plain and simple way, he sought men with Character.

In ‘CLASS’, Blair explores Class: what is it, where does one get it, who has it, and who cares? Like Louis Armstrong said about Jazz: “You can’t define it, but you knows it when you hears it.” Class has to do with integrity, honesty, emotion control…so many others…and a drive to work at a project or relationship so important in the quality of life we wish to achieve. Blair shows through his varied, amusing, and powerful examples why it is important to care about class. This book is a personal journey of a man who has lived life to his satisfaction. It is not a textbook filled with facts learned from others. It encourages all of us to better understand ourselves and the people around us.

Howard’s stories began before he did… and then his tales move on to menial jobs, the police force, Air Force and the people that had an influence in his life. Blair graduated from Oklahoma University, was Real Estate Manager for a major oil company and Director of Real Estate of a branch of the Kroger Company prior to his days as President of Jr. Food Mart, Inc. and commercial real estate developer.

After reading “CLASS”, you will most certainly examine yourself and say, “where do I fit in? Am I Class?” Like Blair Says, “It is all up to you…and me.”