Monday, January 9, 2012

Review # 101: When Brooklyn Was Heaven- A Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and Places In-Between by Stan Levenson

Description:
     Stan Levenson is a world-renowned author and fundraiser whose methods of teaching and fundraising are used in schools across the globe, but he hasn't always been such a driven and successful individual. There was a time, back in depression-era Brooklyn, that he was quite the trouble-maker, acting before thinking of the consequences; a time when he had little ambition or thoughts about the future, but that all changed as he journeyed through New York's roughest high school, graduated college, served in the U.S. Navy, found his calling, traveled the world, and transformed his life, as well as the lives of so many others. His memoir chronicles his life from Brooklyn to L.A. and everywhere in-between from his poor childhood in the 1930's to his triumphs and success in the early 1960's and beyond.
Review:

      When Brooklyn Was Heaven is definitely a book worth reading - if not for the rich history, then for the genuine and heartily entertaining stories themselves. Stan Levenson has done a wonderful job with his memoir, incorporating the spirited characters and memorable moments of his youth with a writing style all his own. I could tell that the author was passionate about his younger years and his stories, writing them in such a way that the reader can laugh, cry, and sympathize along with him. His journey to who he is today is quite a interesting one, and the book itself was very easy to get into and had a good pace. I enjoyed the different sections of the book, especially the college and career years. The format of short stories instead of traditional chapters was a great set-up, particularly the quick length of most of them. Overall, I really enjoyed Stan Levenson's story and would readily read more. The photos were a nice touch as well, and I liked how he ended the book with both a written and photo epilogue. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun and inspiring read about a boy from Brooklyn who made it big all over the world.

Rating: On the Run (4/5)

*** I received this book from the author (Bostick Communications) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

1 comment:

  1. I am pleased that you enjoyed my book. I am finding that the book appeals to all age levels, including high school students, college students, parents, military, retired military, and senior citizens. My best to you.

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