The Smith’s were proud of their family tradition. Their
ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. More
recent ancestors had included Senators and Wall Street
wizards. They decided to compile a family history, a
legacy for their children and grandchildren. They hired
a fine author. Only one problem arose: how to handle that
great-uncle who was executed in the electric chair. The
author said he could handle that chapter of their history
tactfully.Two years later, the book was published. It
said: “Great-uncle George occupied a chair of applied
electronics at an important government institution, was
attached to his position by the strongest of ties and his
death came as a real shock.”