Yorkville Twins: Hilarious Adventures Growing Up in New York City, 1944-1962
Yorkville Twinshas been adopted for use by Mercy College in New York City. It is required reading in "Critical Inquiry: History of New York" freshman classes. --Bookstore Purchase Order (Bronx campus).Joe and John Gindele are two of the most interesting blokes you are likely to meet.Yorkville Twinsrecounts their memories of what gave rise to that uniqueness. In it we follow the boys through playgrounds and schoolrooms and family dinners. We meet their Czech and German families and friends who immerse them in colorful childhood escapades. Being twins seems to more than double their memories of precious details of outlandish adventures.Their stories clearly reveal answers to specific questions such as Why have Joe and John led such interesting and successful lives? But they also tackle much larger topics, too, such as What is it to be an American? At this time when aspects of immigration are bothersome to many,Yorkville Twinsreminds us how vital and important that experience has been to the growth of our nation.For Easterners the tales of growing up in Manhattan in the 1940s, 50s and 60s will bring warm nostalgia. For those like me who grew up in quiet Midwestern towns, they reveal surprises of how different, and yet really how similar, childhood experiences can be.For a real hoot, spend an afternoon with Joe and John Gindele. Not possible? Then enjoy a romp with them inYorkville Twins. --Jim Olson, author of BoomerI grew up in that Manhattan neighborhood known as Yorkville around the same time as Joe and John. In fact, we lived just a few blocks apart. I was mildly acquainted with a couple of kids from their block. I didn t know Joe and John, but that was typical of the neighborhood. It was simply teeming with kids, and each block was a mini-neighborhood that you ventured into at your own risk.Growing up in Yorkville during the 40s, 50s and 60s was an unforgettable experience. As I read Yorkville Twins I was suddenly transported back in time to my early years. Joe and John have done a remarkable job in describing their childhood experiences in Yorkville. The stories are so realistic that I was overwhelmed by the rush of fond memories they brought to mind. There I was, back in old Yorkville again and doing the things I used to do. I was with those crazy, wonderful kids and my family once more.Another aspect of the book that is so interesting is the fact that Joe and John are twins and the reader gets to understand how that impacts their life. I found it particularly illuminating since my very special friend, Rose, is a twin.Yorkville Twins is a wonderful book that I found hard to put down. --Kevin N. Boland, author of One Day as I Stood Lonely: YorkvilleJoe and John have captured the true essence of life of an immigrant family, and it s such an enduring collection of experiences of what this country was built on. Their humorous recollections were refreshing and sparked so many memories of the stories my grandparents used to share. Their detailed descriptions within these stories allowed me to get lost in a period of this country when life was simpler. My father s side of the family is Czech and I could really relate to some of these stories.The authors special relationship as twins is very evident in these experiences. It is intertwined with the fabric of their stories, and is one that can only be shared by twins. This book was a thoroughly enjoyable read. --Andrew M. Miller, executive director, Twins Days Festival/ Twins Days, Inc. (twin, married to a twin)