still shudder when I recall my private school experiences.

Oh man... I have so many horror stories about that place. They had a farm where they made me clean up after pigs all day and once we even had to get into a giant septic tank and clear it out with buckets. I will never forget it. I'm pretty sure some of the things that they did to us would be considered child abuse now. In my case, making me go to church every day was torture enough, but some may enjoy that.

but the first book was named 'Driven to Distraction' and the second book was 'Answer to Distraction'.

Wow, it sounds like these books really made a difference for you. Perhaps I should check them out.