My Rubber Knife Life by William Watson Purkey, Ph.D.

In this book containing his memoirs, William Watson Purkey takes the reader on an exciting romp through his “Rubber Knife Life.” His granddaughter, Emily Norton, wrote the Introduction to the book. She reflects upon an upsetting time when family members were angry with her for dyeing her hair. She thought she was dyeing it auburn although it turned out purple. The situation was worsened because she was about to enter a new school that had “strict policies on hair color, skirt hem-lengths, and any other form of individual expression” (p. vii). Emily fondly recalls that Dr. Purkey responded to the situation by reminding her, “’If they aren’t mad at you, then you aren’t doing enough’” (p. vii). That response typified Dr. Purkey’s philosophy: People always seemed to be mad at him, especially in his early years, but the result has been an amazing life.