Born in a Tent
Michael Sragow · 2013
This chapter gives a brief history and genealogy of Fleming’s parents, who migrated to California shortly before Fleming was born in 1889. His parents were physical laborers in citrus groves and his father died when Fleming was four. Sragow also explores Fleming’s childhood: his aunt and uncle helped raised him, and though Fleming dropped out of school, his stepfather gave him practical training in mechanical work. Much of his later childhood was spent outside, and he was self-taught in academic subjects.