SHEER DELIGHT

Reading this oral history as Told By Some Who Grew up in the Bronx Makes one wish to-have-been born there. After all, as Mary Higgins Clark Said, There are only three places-have That was in the front of Their name: the Vatican, The Hague and the Bronx. Alda Interviewed more than 60 native and Bronx Each has warm, down-to-earth, happy memories of growing up de ces Few blocks of New York .. And Perhaps Even more significant than Their rags to riches stories is the reminder That in America all things are possible.

This author must be a sincere, sympathetic listener-have for folks Told her all kinds of stories qui she shares with us WHETHER it be Carl Reiners father who is not being white Described as a joiner So They werent members of a synagogue rabbi yet he has Talked into renting a synagogue in a poor neighborhood for Carls bar mitzvah - Attended only by His Father, mother, brother and a group of old bearded strangers.

The aforementioned Mary Higgins Clark Lived on the same block as Jake LaMotta and a fellow down the block Who Was Envied Because His Son Had a snappy roadster. Turns out the fellow Was Envied on the Ten Most Wanted List.

WHETHER it be Regis Philbin, Colin Powell, Al Pacino or a host of others Including the enterprising young fellow Who made pin money by answering the phone in the neighborhood candy store down the block Then running to tell someone They Had a phone call. (Most people before the war didn't-have phones.) So, the boy Would simply pick up the phone with, Who do you want to talk to? Then Ascertain the address and apartment number. He says He Was lucky if he only Had to run down the block and up two flights. Yes, tipping Was hoped for - two pennies Was a weak tip, nickel has a good tip and a dime Was pure gold!

Dont miss Just Kids From the Bronx - sheer delight!

- Gail Cooke