Ref: "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.
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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. 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.
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AND, this one 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.
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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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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.
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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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"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."
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Hi Curt,
I enjoyed reading your book and laughing at the tale you presented on the 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.
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.
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Hi Curt
This is Gary from 82nd & Blackstone Ave. “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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Ref: "Mantilla Lady"
Baseball rosters 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.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. 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.
Ref: "Heaven Bound..."
This is a review of "Heaven Bound In The Dead Of Winter" from a fellow writer after reading the unpublished manuscript.
"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."
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The ultimate compliment for a book author, is for a reader to feel as if they want to jump in and take over the writing in many places. I had this urge many times as I enjoyed Heaven Bound in the Dead of Winter (as angels abound).
The chapter entitled, An Empty Room - Yet So Crowded and sub-titled, Is This An Old Railroad Station - a "Grand Terminal"? is as engaging as any fiction I've read.
Do you have questions about life and the after life? Do you feel confident or ill at ease about the after life - not sure your religion (or lack thereof) is the one, or the only one? Acquire this book, read it and appreciate it.
This is no ordinary book. This is no extraordinary book. This is the book of the year!"
