"Hi" -  I'm Michelle Gérant - Marketing Manager for Southside Kid Productions.

 

We would like to share this with you.

Just in, this review of the "Heaven Bound In The Dead Of Winter" the unpublished manuscript from a fellow writer;

"I need to preface with this thought . This writing is actually about 1% Religion and 99% Faith and Love.

A clever rhythmic style like I've never seen before. His little vignettes have the style of music - lyrics and poetry.

He tells his story like a Poet / Storyteller and those little vignettes of lives in flux read like a song being sung.

I am anxious to see the finished product."  - Johnny Myles

 

Southside Kid:

 

First of all, what this is not. It is not a weepy, sniffling "good old days" lament. Nor is it a "things were much better back then" dirge. It is an extraordinarily detailed day-by-day account of a boy growing into manhood on Chicago's Southside. All the joy, nonsense and tomfoolery of adolescence are here, and so are the pain, tears, dejection and heartbreak. These emotions are universal to all teenagers, whether they were part of a middle-class clan, dirt-poor, or filthy rich.

 

The reader is left marveling at Erler's resilience in the face of the adversity and misery he brought on himself, as teenagers will. But he always bounced back, and each bounce brought him higher and higher. This Southside Kid is now a retired successful business man, with a happy marriage and a loving family.

 

Southside Kid will take you on a fascinating journey through the days of wars, snack foods, automobiles, sports, race relations, and the birth of rock n' roll. Music always played a big part in Erler's life, and he provides an unparalleled written soundtrack that is bound to provoke happy memories.

 

There is much here for readers of all ages. More than a memoir, this is a portrait of real life in America. Write on, Curt! Let's hear the rest of the story.

Peter Grendysa

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Surely we all have dreamed of having that mythical time machine that would take us maybe to the future, but who wants to go there??? I'm going in reverse to those happy days of the fifties. I thought I remembered them but found many more in reading Southside KId, the baseball games with little real quality equipment,who cared-or knew! the wonderful funky cars Curt describes especially the ones he owned, but wait !! don't listen to me, Curt is patiently waiting at the curb in his Merc, the door is open and you're invited-hang on tight ! you're not going to believe it,hurry up cause I know he wants to hit the Blue Note tonight, Basie is in town.

 

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Before I start my review I'd like to say I'm just under 30 years of age and live far away from Da Southside, in fact I'm right across the pond in dear ol' blighty - the North East of England! (Tho I was born and still am a Bristol Kid!)

The music I love and adore with all my heart is the music Curt shares with us in Southside Kid. I just about dig anything that came out on the Sun label.

 

Rockabilly, Blues, R'n'R, R'n'B, Country, Jazz....Man just about anything

that's got a beat, especially if it was recorded between the 40's and early 60's.

So I grew up in an era where these mighty tough sounds are hard to find on the radio, TV ect. I spend my life daydreaming about what it would've been like living in such a time.

Southside Kid has taken me to such places I have dreamt about, a time when the world and the folks had different values to the world today.

If you dig Baseball look no further, Curt might share with you a few secrets about pitchin'!

Personally I love the stories about the road trips, the jazz joints (Count Basie!) and traditional family values.

This is a heartwarming read, plenty of laughter( Curt's got great humor), and a very loving family.

If every household shared the same faith and love the world would be a better place.

It's truly a fascinating read, I felt many emotions whilst reading this book, "Southside Kid" will touch your soul.

Thanks Curt for being a real gentleman and sharing your wonderful memories with me. I now have a better understanding of that rockin' era!

 

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Long after you have finished this book, you will remember pieces and parts of 'the way it was'. It sticks with you because it is so real without ever being violent. It is an honest, straight-across-the-board rebirth of memories in detail of growing up after WWII into the '60's.

 

Lots of little things make this book great. The names and places on Southside Chicago live suddenly in rebirth. The items we bought, the prices we paid, the kind of clothes we wore, the language we talked--it's all there.

SOUTHSIDE KID is a new genre--part history, part biography, but all reality.

 

It's a fun book to read. It's a happy book about an unconfusing time in history in a very special place--the SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO. Every Chicagoan ought to read it--and maybe, even, write one of his or her own.

 

It's worth it! Georgia #######, Reno, NV Retired teacher

(who went to school with Curt Erler)

 

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"Thank you for the trip back in time! I could relate to everything in your book and the times.

You sure did travel around :) Great book and we are still passing it around the block here!"

 

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Len Desaute ~ Plymouth, Massachusetts

Hi Curt,

Here is my take on your book:

Southside Kid is a wonderful, warm and delightful book of nostalgia on the back streets of Chicago. From someone who has never been to Chicago it gave me a beautiful picture of the community Curt lived in and much of it criss crossed my own humble upbringing in a small community in Western Massachusetts. A great read and highly recommended for all ages to trace their own background. I'm proud to say I'm a friend.

Len Desautels - Retired Schoolteacher

 

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I am amazed at your vivid memories of those things that happened decades ago. Did you keep a diary? I am enjoying the book and the unique "soundtrack' you provided. Very clever idea.

You reminded me of so many things - the "rag man" coming down the alley, air raid drills, the coal pile in the basement and yadda yadda yadda.

 

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Hi Curt;

You've got a wonderful book. Enjoyed reading it. Really liked all the pictures. You may have been a kool cat, but I would say also a very lucky one. You sure have used a bunch of your cat nine lives.

Bet you wish you still had the T-bird. I know I would.

Liked the Luther bits too.

Good luck, Rick

 

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"Thanks Curt. By the way, after nearly finishing your book ( I'm on page 220) I feel like I've known you all my life."

A happy book reviewer -----

 

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The days of our growing up along Stony Island in the 8000 to 8600 blocks in the late 40s and early to mid 50s were wonderful, carefree and creatively super times. The steel mills were belching out all the colors of the rainbow in blast furnace operations 24 seven 12 months of the year. Dodging the cars of Stony's 3 lanes each way to get to school as third graders made us ready for most every thing a kid our age had to handle except for grades, prayers, eating, work around the house or trying to catch the street car. But who cared about those things anyway when we could play 16 inch softball, ice skate, ice hockey, touch football and roller skate on the new smooth concrete streets, playing 'sewer to sewer' on 86th Place or St. Felicitas's school playground.

Good job, Curt, you got it all.  - Bob Keeley

 

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Great book--Played a lot of baseball at Grand Crossing & Av park. Went to 87th Street speed way a lot, We may have crossed paths at one time. It was a great time and place to grow up and you nailed it with this book. I lived about 3 blocks from the trick shop and the Rhodes theater. Thank You for the great read -- David Barg

 

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Vinnie & Sue from UK

You have to get this book it reads like a movie script...keep it up Curt!

 

 

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An enjoyable read for everyone - especially for a southsider. The unfortunate folks that didn't have the pleasures of this era will soon realize some of what they missed.

Curt captured the reality of his many enjoyable moments, tragedies and love of life, in a wonderful period of time. For the older generation it will bring back memories that brought smile after smile to this old mug. For the younger generation - "eat your heart out" as you read about freedom, hard working ethics, friendship and love of life.

In life, names and faces may change but Curt captures the fact that true friendship never gets old. He has experienced many of Americas dreams.

EVERYONE ENJOY, kudos does not say enough.

 

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Chicago:

 

Hard to believe that any writing could transport me back to those glorious days of good friends and 'easy times'.
Your book, "Southside Kid" will become an important part of our family library.
Thanks for the opportunity to meet you and your neat family and friends.
I would welcome hearing more about our part of this world. What a place it was!

 

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While wrapped in the warmth of sweet childhood memories and exciting adventure as well, I could NOT put this book down. The author describes his wonderful, youthful years with such writing ability that I felt that I was there in the neighborhood, or experiencing the same emotions, and hearing and smelling and tasting the same things. I was lost in nostalgia while reading this book. Now, I wish that I had grown up in the 40's and 50's in middle class, Southside Chicago. There was never a boring moment in the Southside Kid's life ... OR IN THE BOOK!

 

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Hi Curt,

I enjoyed reading your book and laughing at the tale you presented on he Southside of Chicago. I was born in August 1939 and raised about 3 miles from your turf and fun places. We probably crossed paths since many of your examples were in my daily routine. My parks were Trumbull, Bessemer, and Calumet. Rainbow Beach was the spot for "chicks". As I remember my success rate of even talking to a girl was pathetic. I couldn't put an intelligent sentence together. I find that Chicago guys match up with parks and schools. Bowen High School was my educational base as a teenager.

 

Going to the Avalon on 79th was a big treat for my gang. It was outside our territory but we loved the show.

 

I just wanted to thank you for painting a clear, fun, and nice picture of your early years on the Southside. I wouldn't trade my first 22 years roaming , laughing, and playing on the Southside. There is nothing like

this part of Chicago or the world.

 

Best,

Jack Ivancevich

South Chicago

 

P.S.

 

Curt,

 

Please feel free to post any of my comments you want to use. I bought

6 copies of your book and sent them to my siblings.

 

I heard about your book from a Mt. Carmel guy who sent out a note to

look for the book.

 

I write academic textbooks( Google--- John M. Ivancevich) so I enjoy

reading less dense and more fun books like your product.

 

Thanks,

Jack Ivancevich

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"Everytime I want to visit the old neighborhood and I can't afford the money to fly or drive, I just read your book again. It really is a great adventure that never ends. Thank you for writing it!"

 

 

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And this from my favorite cabaret singer. (The world's greatest!)

 

Hello . . .. I was just made aware of your book which will soon be on its way . . . . thank you in advance . . . I look forward to reading it with great pleasure and it was so kind of you to include me . I marvel at anyone who has the patience and fortitude it takes to sit down and actually write a book . . . it takes everything i have in me each time I create one of my shows . . . but a book!  well,  that's the real thing! so congratulations and may you have great success with it.

I love chicago and will share it with my accompanist who comes from there.

 

Yours,

Andrea Marcovicci

 

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Hi Curt

This is Gary ###### from 82## Blackstone (Stucco house on the corner).  “Southside Kid” was brought to my attention in some unexpected ways, but I was fortunate to have ordered a copy and read it.  What a very nice book articulately chronicling a period that was special in both our lives.  Although you are about three years older, I remember you well as the “bad dude” that you kept your distance from.  But, I must apologize for missing the “soft side” that was hidden within, which was beautifully portrayed in your book.  What a nice compliment to your life and times on the southside.  I came away from the book thinking that I had missed not being a friend of yours, 

and experiencing the fun and excitement with Ron, Pepsi and the others.  But, I was there at some the events you describe in the book and remember them well--the St. Felicitas carnival the night you had the rumble with Mort, the night you brought Kathy in for dinner at Frank Sylvano’s (I was the buss boy), the drag race of T-bird 116 

against the Indian motorcycle and at the corner store when JR came in for his daily Pepsi.

 

My admiration for a great book and my compliments to your attractive wife and daughters.--Gary

 

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"When my Mum visited us recently, she picked up "Southside Kid" and I had a tough job getting it back!

So I would love to buy her a copy for Christmas. I'd love it to be autographed and inscribed "To Carol, Happy Holidays 2006" or something like that.

Y'know Curt, I've read a few books but yours IS THE COOLEST AND BEST! (Can't put it down...will let you know more when i've finished reading)

Keep on Rockin'"

 

 

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Hamburg, Germany

 

"Well Curt, I´m no critic and to me it was just a great experience to read about your life and also to been grabbed by the neck by you and get drawn in the days of my own childhood when I read it. I think therefore that I completely understand everything may I have to read it once more because my vocabulary ain´t that huge.

 

The point is that everyone who isn´t a totally retarded dumbwad that reads your book will at least be remembered of his own life and reflect it. This is the biggest gift that you make to the reader I think. I also can imagine pretty good what the southside must have been like back in those days. You described everything very lively and in a way that made it possible to me taking a view through your eyes to see the steam on the street after a summer´s rain, to listen to exactly all those noises from your surrounding streets and houses in a way that I wished I also could have the ability to smell it, (each place has it´s own smell which you must smell for yourself before you can know it while it´s a bit different with noises which are easier to imagine to me)

 

The hair of Peggy Sue or the taste of the different candy bars from Julie´s.

 

I was simply impressed by your exciting book and rich and full life. It´s simply your life and it seems that your mum & dad, bro´s and sis were a very good family that gave you the power and strength to face life until today. With all that it brings.

 

I wondered a bit that you remember everything that well and clean to tell about all things that happened so exactly.

 

Nice to hear that you found an ole buddy still alive."

 

Marc

 

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Dear Curt,

It was the most wonderful, surprising, amazing Friday the 13th ever!! I was lying on my bed when my husband came in and said, " I think the package you anxiously have been waiting for has arrived!"

I was like a child on Christmas morn.

I put aside the book, The Sea by John Banville and immediately opened Southside Kid. A chill went through me when the first name of the neighborhood, on page 4, was Hudnuts . I spent many hours at Roberta's home as she did mine.

Thank you for the wonderful autograph and message and the CD. I shall treasure them both. I'm sure I'll read and reread the book many times.

With happenings like this I can't help but to "Keep Smilin'"

 

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Hey Southside! I finished the book, actually Sunday night! I just wanted to thank you for writing that book, and sharing your life with everybody. I personally, really enjoyed it. It brought back many memories of my childhood while I was reading it, and it is just a nice, fun book. Plus I had never been to Chicago, so I got a free tour of the Southside with The Kid! Good clean fun, something you can't find that easily anymore. A lot of books are filled with bull, but Southside Curt is the real deal! Enjoy this ride through the Southside with a good man, willing to share his life with you! It's a great book that I strongly recommend you treat yourself to. I think Luther is calling, got to run! Thanks Curt for writing this book, it was a pleasure to read! U Da Man!

Joe Hidalgo ~ Oakland, CA / Reno, NV

 

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I am amazed at your vivid memories of those things that happened decades ago. Did you keep a diary? I am enjoying the book and the unique

"soundtrack' you provided. Very clever idea.

You reminded me of so many things - the "rag man" coming down the alley, air raid drills, the coal pile in the basement and yadda yadda yadda."

 

 

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I feel honored that Curt has allowed me to share in the memories of his life, this all before I even read the book. Talking to Curt is like talking one of my lifelong buddies who I grew up with in the early fifties. Curt has a city boy personality that only another city boy can relate to....outgoing, straight forward when he talks with no gray area in between that is complimented by his street smart attitude. The book is a true gem that leads you in bringing back your own personal memories about your past while sharing in those personal memories of Curt's. Had I grown up in the same neighborhood with Curt I am sure we would have been lifelong buddies. After reading his book, I am sure we did.

John - San Francisco

 

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From Daughter - HONEY

Southside Kid gives people who can relate to its era something to be proud of as well as a wonderful way to reminisce about their childhood through the eyes of a fellow Southsider. If you are not one of those lucky Southsiders, it will make you wish you were...I know I do!

I could not ask for a better gift than to have a father that has taken the time to write his life story for us and our future generations to enjoy.

I feel like I was there all along, traveling, working hard, not taking any bull, enjoying food & music...living LIFE! Thank you for showing me how I became who I am today! I love you!

 

 

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"I loved the way you were brave enough to fight everybody! Fighting is so mental, in the sense you have to be brave." - Big Joe!

 

 

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"We who were young people living through the 1950's didn't realize how lucky we were.

Curt Erler's book "Southside Kid" gives us a good taste of one side of the city. Chicago had many sides in those days but I loved reading about Curt's life on the Southside of Chicago.

Thank you Curt for turning back the clock to those golden days.

We are looking forward to reading your next book."

 

"Surely we all have dreamed of having that mythical time machine that would take us maybe to the future, but who wants to go there??? I'm going in reverse to those happy days of the fifties. I thought I remembered them but found many more in reading Southside Kid, the baseball games with little real quality equipment, who cared-or knew! The wonderful funky cars Curt describes especially the ones he owned, but wait !! don't listen to me, Curt is patiently waiting at the curb in his Merc', the door is open and you're invited - hang on tight ! You're not going to believe it, hurry up cause I know he wants to hit the Blue Note tonight, Basie is in town."

 

"I just wanted to thank you for writing that book, and sharing your life with everybody. I personally, really enjoyed it. It brought back many memories of my childhood while I was reading it, and it is just a nice, fun book. I was bummed when it was over, I wanted more Southside. It was cool at the end where you updated your life and all that. It was just excellent! I shared that part at the end with my wife where you say: It is cool to look back, even though you don't live in the past, I want her to understand that, it is cool to look back sometimes."

 

"You know, couple your book with a retreat I just finished at the motherhouse, and life is beautiful! Doestoevsky once said: "One good memory is enough to save a man." Think of all the good memories your book evokes! Think of all the people you are saving--from sadness and depression and 'which way do I go now' stuff. You have done a fine thing.

 

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Curt, checked out your website...great job!! You truly are an amazing & talented guy! Its your "gift" ! Keep up the good work.  -  Gary

 

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How did you find this website? = From Curt's Book

Where are you from? = France

 

With no previous knowledge of Chicago's southside, I feel that I must have lived there in a previous life.
Your description of the era and your childhood home are simply wonderful. I shall pass this book on to other members of my family.
Merci ... it was such a lovely story.

 

 

 

Mantilla Lady:

 

 

Once upon a time in America - a half century ago - long before big box warehouse stores, cell phones, video games and instant replays from every conceivable angle, people "got together," and baseball was the Great American Pastime. People huddled around radios between classes at school and at the barber shops after school to hear the latest, especially at world series time. The "bigs" were one thing, but minor league and semi-pro teams were more real to many, partially because they were more accessible. Those rosters were full of everyday people from all walks of life. Inner-city 'hoods and small towns were dotted with mom and pop local businesses representing all of the great many cultures that have created and maintained this great land of opportunity. A time when Mantillas, veils, guimpes, coifs, coronets and scarves on women were not at all uncommon, and Catholic Nuns were seen out and about in full dress.

 

This is the rich setting L. Curt Erler (The Southside Kid) whips up in "Mantilla Lady," and it is as tasty as a chocolate bar of the day - many of which are presented within - and the culinary delicacies he details throughout.

 

With each season I read several "baseball" books and I attempt to figure some fiction into the mix, which has recently included "The Heavenly World Series," (Frank O'Rourke) and "All The Stars Came Out That Night" (Kevin King). The thing is, this isn't exactly a baseball book at all. It's about infatuation and love; awesome respect for Catholic Clergy and friendship, in addition to and mixed in with the great game of baseball. It's about Sinatra; it's what Buck Ram, Johnny Mercer, Steve Allen, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, Edith Piaf, Gordon Jenkins , Charles Brown and so many others wrote about, and sang about. The more imaginative can even hear other songs in their head during the read. Amongst others, I heard Gordon Lightfoot singing "Rainy Day People." I heard Lobo cruising along with his carefree, "Me And You And A Dog Named Boo;" even the intro of Suite #1 from Tom Scott's "Intimate Strangers" LP/CD.

 

This book is for music lovers, for sandlot players everywhere - past and present - for those who love the Catholic faith (even if not Catholic). It's for those who appreciate cross country tales, for those who appreciate and long for the multi-cultured 1950s of America; and for those who simply love and enjoy life!

 

Man, do yourself a favor and steal home - pick this one up and relish a treat as refreshing and rare as an inside-the-park home run, from a story teller unlike any who came before him.

 

 

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If you think about life and the emotions that we all find along our way then this book is shouting them from the rooftops. Friendship, loyalty, respect, honor and L-O-V-E. Music seems to flow with each turn of the page, taking you right into a scene. It is easy to close your eyes and almost touch, smell and imagine you are right there amongst the action.

 

Reading this book left me with a warm glow and that is down to the great writing once again by Mr Erler.

 

This is a story for anyone that has a dream and BELIEVES!

 

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 See Curt at his AMAZON profile  ~ http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002LFHNNE

 

 

Reviews: "Southside Kid" & "Mantilla Lady"

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