Lake of the Ozarks

My Surreal Summers in a Vanishing America

By: Bill Geist

Narrated by: Bill Geist, Allan Robertson

Before there was "tourism" and souvenir ashtrays became "kitsch", the Lake of the Ozarks was a Shangri-La for middle-class Midwestern families on vacation, complete with man-made beaches, Hillbilly Mini Golf, and feathered rubber tomahawks.

It was there that author Bill Geist spent summers in the '60s during his school and college years working at Arrowhead Lodge - a small resort owned by his bombastic uncle - in all areas of the operation, from cesspool attendant to bellhop.

What may have seemed just a summer job became, upon reflection, a transformative era where a cast of eccentric, small-town characters and experiences shaped (some might suggest "slightly twisted") Bill into the man he is today. He realized it was this time in his life that had a direct influence on his sensibilities, his humor, his writing, and ultimately a career searching the world for other such untamed creatures for the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and CBS News.

In Lake of the Ozarks, Emmy Award-winning CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist reflects on his coming of age in the American heartland and traces his evolution as a man and a writer. He shares laugh-out-loud anecdotes and tongue-in-cheek observations guaranteed to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for "the good ol' days". Written with Geistian wit and warmth, Lake of the Ozarks takes listeners back to a bygone era and demonstrates how you can find inspiration in the most unexpected places.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Bill Geist (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Readers of Geist's vintage will enjoy sauntering through his formative summers and perhaps recall some of their own on the way." (Booklist)

"Geist's writing is consistently nostalgic as he shows how those carefree summers helped mold him into the man he became. The book is a quick, pleasant read that effectively reflects how his time at the lodge showed him that 'life is more difficult and rewarding and fun when you manage to do things your way.' Old-fashioned, wistful stories that will appeal to fans of Geist's previous books." (Kirkus)

"A tenderhearted remembrance...Geist's entertaining account of life in a resort town in the 1960s will certainly resonate with folks of his generation, and will offer younger readers a glimpse into a bygone era." (Publishers Weekly)

This is wonderful!

Loved the stories and hearing Bill and Willie talk at the end. I live in KC so have been to the "lake" many times. So fun to hear how it was in more innocent times.

Bill is a legendary storyteller.

A light-hearted, youthful step back into the past shared by August we’ve come to know & admire thru CBS Sunday Morning.

A light-hearted, youthful step back into the past shared by a delightful, comical person we’ve come to know & admire thru CBS Sunday Morning. Thx for memories of our own days .

Lake of the Ozarks

My husband’s family owned a resort on a river and this book brought back so many memories. Thank you Bill for all your funny stories.
We have been a devoted fan of Sunday Morning and we miss you. Keep writing!!

I was their

Mr Geist wrote a book so special that I thought I was there with him. Loved every word can't wait to let my family read this book . I laughed a lot

I remember Arrowhead Lodge…

And, while I certainly didn’t know it the way the author did, that lends credence and sentimentality to the enjoyment of reading these tales. Knowing the Ozarks in general will help the reader enjoy this, but I would think anybody would laugh and empathize as they hear these amusing and frequently touching tales of real-life people in a slightly off-kilter world.
Author Bill Geist reads the opening and closing sections with charm and an abundance of personality. The narrator who covers the middle section is serviceable, but lacks the warmth and authenticity of the author telling his tales.

Memory Lane

As a childhood resident of mid-Missouri, this audio book was able to bring alive those crazy memories of Lake of the Ozarks visits. I laughed out loud and enjoyed the fact that someone else had had these similar experiences of unforgettable summers in the sometimes bizarre world of the Ozarks. Thank you so much, Bill Geist!

Great Book

Very funny and those of a certain age can relate to it. But every age will enjoy!

Pleasantly Nostalgic…

Had me remembering “Indian Lake” lodges in Ohio at the same time as Bill’s Arrowhead Lodge adventures. Fond memories, thanks. (I also went to Vietnam.)

Wonderful Stories from a Great Storyteller

I loved every minute of Lake of the Ozarks. I grew up in Missouri and vacationed at the Lake in the late 50s. Bill's stories and vivid descriptions brought back fond memories of a different time and place.

Great Book

This is a really great book I didn't want to put it down!!! I think it could also make a really great movie!!