In the final chapter of his book, the author likened using multiple ladders to climb various plateaus throughout life. You climb to the top of a plateau only to find that it wasn't what you wanted, so you move on to climb the next ladder to the top of the next plateau. Upon experiencing dissatisfaction upon dissatisfaction at the end of each climb, it becomes clear, that although attaining the goals weren't satisfying, satisfaction came by being able to make the climb.

Chapters of Now and Again represent plateaus in the life of the author, who masterfully relates how he climbed to their top, one by one. The plateaus are really people, places, or major events in his life's milieu. Because so much of his life was involved in the "climbing" process he rightfully draws the conclusion that life has been good to him.

Readers my find themselves laughing, crying, or turning red in the face as Patmont reveals his life's events. His writing style is unambiguous and forthright. The reader will not have to reread paragraphs over and over again to understand what the author is trying to convey.

Patmont was a maritime lawyer by profession, but he could as well been a professional writer. He's that good. Now and Again is a squeal to the author's earlier book Up to Now. I enjoyed that book very much and am even more pleased with this one.

My only wish is that the book were longer. I'm sure Patmont has more plateaus in his life. His description of climbing each one would enable the reader to vicariously find a bit of the satisfaction he enjoyed as he underwent the actual climbing process. Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and all.

The book is privately published, but is well-edited and a high-quality hardbound book. ( )