The Hayseed

In this two-part memoir, author Tom Campbell shares the story of his own life with humor, warmth, and heartfelt reflection.

Tom first traces his journey as he grows into his "Hayseed" moniker on the plains of North Dakota. From there, he moves through eight significant phases of life, ranging from "Saint" to "Sinner" and finally to "Badass." Each phase is brought to life through anecdotes filled with love, humor, good fortune, and deep sentiment. At the heart of his story is an extraordinary woman from the Black Hills of South Dakota, brimming with beauty and goodness, who becomes Tom’s guiding light. She stands beside him through the last five phases, gives him a wonderful son and daughter, and offers constant encouragement in every endeavor. She claims he’s “charmed,” and he is, especially by her.

In the second part, Tom reflects on the memorable people and experiences he has encountered along the way. Here, he pays tribute to his family and friends while sharing additional anecdotes and observations from a man who still proudly wears the mantle of a hayseed.

Tom loves to laugh at himself and invites you to laugh with him as he spins his tales. Note: The only mix of fact and fiction appears in the Prelude, “Chippewa Princess,” a story about his late mother, though she truly embodied every bit of its spirit.