Fifth-generation New Yorker; third-generation bartender; and first-generation author Tara Clancy was raised in three wildly divergent homes: a converted boat shed in working class Queens; a geriatric commune of feisty; Brooklyn-born Italians; and a sprawling Hamptons estate she visited every other weekend. This childhood triptych comes to life in The Clancys of Queens; an electric; one-of-a-kind memoir.From scheming and gambling with her force-of-nature grandmother; to brawling with eleven-year-old girls on the concrete recess battle yard of MS 172; to hours lounging on Adirondack chairs beside an immaculate croquet lawn; to holding court beside Joey O’Dirt; Goiter Eddy; and Roger the Dodger at her Dad’s local bar; Tara leapfrogs across these varied spheres; delivering stories from each world with originality; grit; and outrageous humor. But The Clancys of Queens is not merely an authentic coming-of-age tale or a rowdy barstool biography. Chock-full of characters who escape the popular imaginings of this city; it offers a bold portrait of real people; people whose stories are largely absent from our shelves. Most crucially; it captures—in inimitable prose—the rarely-heard voices of New York’s working-class women. With a light touch but a hard hit; The Clancys of Queens blends savvy and wit to take us on an unforgettable strata-hopping adventure.
#1012704 in Books 2016-05-02 #File Name: 0993355412256 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The great book! It is so addictive that you can ...By Tomasz SciezorThe great book! It is so addictive that you can not get away from it. I have read a few books on this subject; but just this one allowed me to fully know the history of Muslim Andalusia.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very helpful to prepare for a visit to AndaluciaBy Donna M. StewartI read this book to prepare for my trip to southern Spain; to visit the key cities of Al-Andalus. The book really helped set the stage for the historic sites I visited; and enriched my experiences there. The book seemed to wander quite a bit in time and space; but circled back enough times for me to get the gist of the area's history.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Excelent history of a forgotten eraBy MSpPost-Roman; post-Visigothic Spain was an era of Knowledge; learning - but also of bloody power struggles. The rise of Toledo; the fall of Cordoba; the rise of Seville: this complex era is collected in a history by Michael Barry that is easily understood and a pleasure to read. Illustrations of various last remnants of the era are also included.It weakness: the names; the events are sometimes difficult to follow: a chart of all the rulers would be of immeasurable benefit. Also: a few more maps... Michael Barry knows every small hamlet in Spain; I don't; and I spent a lot of time with google maps!
