Prologue- Chapter 1 Summary

In the Prologue, Lonnie reminisces about his childhood on his family ranch in Texas, and how times have changed. He remembers how much slower life was before the arrival of mass communication. Lonnie talks about how the transformation is evidenced in the attitudes of the young people, who are very restless, wanting to go out and experience all the excitement life has to offer. Lonnie cannot help but see how faster, more convenient technology has pushed aside the rural way of life, changing things forever.

Young Lonnie is seventeen and lives with his grandparents and uncle on the family ranch. Granddad is old and has patience that comes from many years of doing the same slow, hard work. Granny is old and crabby, and always finds something to complain about. Granny has a son from a previous marriage named Hud. Hud...