Reviews by L O'Shea-Willsea, Corresponding Secretary & Book Club Coordinator:
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A Lens into the Past, Which Illuminates the Future 

SPRING 2025 NYCDOE EMERALD BOOK CLUB SELECTION

 

James Olwell's "The Art of Being Irish in Hell's Kitchen: A Memoir of the Organizing of the Irish Arts Center in New York City 1972-78"

 

            

            James Olwell sets out to write a straightforward memoir of the heady 70's in New York City, which is already a heady and interesting premise, but by focusing his view into the people who united to create the Irish Arts Center between 1972 and 1978, he has given us much more than a fascinating (and it is fascinating) memoir.

           This book captures the spirit of hope and optimism that drove a diverse group of friends to essentially save a culture that was in danger of withering, hard as that may be to imagine when one sees the towering building that now is home to the NYC Irish Arts Center. The anecdotes are lively, and give remarkable insights into the personalities who banded together with a notable lack of money and an equally notable surplus of energy, and reignited a culture. From the tin whistle lessons to the romances, the spirit of youth and possibility shines through every page. But like the poet said, nothing gold can stay, and by the time the van trip heads off to the indigenous tribal lands, the 70s, and the first bloom of the Irish Arts Center, have matured into something different. 

            The early part of the book, where Mr. Olwell describes growing up in the Bronx, frankly deserves a book of its own, and I hope Mr. Olwell writes one. The relationship between Mr. Olwell and his Dad, sheds light on how being Irish was being "other" - a view which is nearly incomprehensible to most Americans today. Yet, all this history is relevant when you look at what is happening today.

            And here we come to the almost prescient aspect of this book. There is so much happening in today's political landscape, with the extreme points of view on both sides of the aisle, that echo the 1970s, and especially Mr. Olwell and his compatriots. The author and his friends fought to preserve a culture, reached out to multiple different ethnic groups to find unity and social justice, and worked tirelessly for positive change. As I write this, the Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City is Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist. It is widely believed that his primary victory is largely because he has energized the 'Gen Z' youth of the City, who have energetically blanketed the City by going door to door to campaign for Mr. Mamdani. Clearly, the youth and energy of Gen Z has been mobilized in NYC, just like the Mr. Olwell and friends, but what sort of change is on the horizon? Read "The Art of Being Irish in Hell's Kitchen: A Memoir of the Organizing of the Irish Arts Center in New York City 1972 - 78" and draw your own conclusions. 

 

Highest Recommendation - Five Emeralds

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Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

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A Fascinating Life, from St. Raymond's School to the Halls of Power

AUTUMN 2024 NYCDOE EMERALD BOOK CLUB SELECTION

 

Dr. Peter Quinn's "Cross Bronx: A Writing Life"

            

            Dr. Peter Quinn writes eloquently and with tremendous insight in "Cross Bronx: A Writing Life." I will warn you that once you pick up this book, you will find yourself devouring his historical novels, like his Civil War epic, "Banished Children of Eve" (this really needs to be required reading in every U.S. high school, in my humble opinion), and immersing yourself in his historical mysteries, such as the addictive Fintan Dunne Trilogy. Dr. Quinn's reverence and care for his truth marks every sentence, and I hope he finds the time to share more books with his reading public. All his books cry out to be made into epic movies, but this one in particular deserves an Academy Award winning film.

            "Cross Bronx: A Writing Life" is a detailed and richly evocative tale of a single man's life that resonates from a loving Irish Catholic home in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx all the way to the halls of power in Albany and corporate America. His insights into former New York Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo are intriguing windows into the psyches of both men, especially when examined in the context of today's politicians and our U.S. culture in 2025. His account of corporate America demonstrates the complexity of the times, socially and economically.

            One of the most poignant themes of this book is how Dr. Quinn shares his curiosity about the lives led by not only his ancestors in Ireland, but also the thoughts, hopes, and dreams of his close American relations. Thanks to his talent, Dr. Quinn has immortalized what his life was in an era that is changed so much that it is nearly unrecognizable. The Parkchester neighborhood, the Catholic Church, Manhattan University, Albany, corporate America - they are all still there, but without Dr. Quinn's gift of crystallizing the moments, we would not have shared in the history so beautifully told through one man's fascinating life.

            

Highest Recommendation - Five Emeralds

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Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble