AN AMERICAN SAGA; A HISTORICAL NOVEL; AN INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE
AND A STORY THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART
That -- and more -- is how to describe this book
Here, a member of THE GREATEST GENERATION relives
The ROARING TWENTIES, The GREAT DEPRESSION and WORLD WAR TWO
FREE
HISTORY, NOSTALGIA, TRAGEDY, TRIUMPH -- AND ROMANCE The author wrote AMERICA GONNIF under the pen-name, E.M. Nolbay (for reasons that will become obvious as you read the book). Then came two more books: "SLEEPLESS IN STORYLAND" and the sequel to AMERICA GONNIF, "MY QUEST FOR CAMELOT". (He calls the three books his trilogy. And, at his age, they may be his last) . . . For a special price on personally signed copies of these out of print collector books, see the outrageously low price list, below.
A look at the first chapter and a half (see below)
ALL WRAPPED UP IN A NEAT PACKAGE
In GONNIF, there are 300 stories -- rolled into one -- of how life was then, as seen through the eyes of an immigrant boy growing up in New York City. He tells of a certain Jewish family with aspirations not unlike others who immigrated to America in the early twentieth century. He poignently recounts their dreams and endeavors; their adversities and successes, weaving their stories into the fabric and history of the times. His own experiences are laced with humor and pain, reminiscent of a Tom Sawyer or, even, a Forrest Gump. -- -- Well, not quite, but at least his characters are real.
*also Ronald Reagan when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild
This could also be described as an American family saga -- spanning four generations in thirty years.
Its recipe is a blend of "Ragtime" with "A Tree Grows In
Brooklyn" -- and, perhaps, "Angela's Ashes". . . And though it has a Jewish flavor, its appeal is universal.
A professional reviewer of the very first draft has critiqued it as "...charming and touching" -- "romantic and flowery" --"strong character development and quirky charm shown here". . . and after the final rewrite and publication, here are two of the most recent reviews from readers in Ventura, California. The first received via the internet and the second via U.S. mail. (the oldest will be updated and replaced here each time another letter arrives)
"Dear Mr. Yablon, I borrowed a copy of America Gonnif from my physical
therapist, Michele, and I see from the inscription that she is also a
friend of yours. I very much enjoyed your touching and honest stories,
and pieces of them remind me of stories that my father's parents used to
tell, and that my mother's mother still tells. (She is 89 and soon
moving to Ventura with her 91-year-old husband.) My father's father
wrote a book of stories called Jewish Life in the Ukraine which was
published in the 1960s by a small press, and which is a precious family
history. He also started a book about his life in America but never
finished it; he died in 1973. Aspects of his book remind me of your
stories. Anyway, I would very much like to order my own (signed!)
paperback copy of America Gonnif, plus two more copies to give to family
members. (I need to give Michele her copy back, of course!) I would
also like to order a copy of Camelot, so I can follow your further
adventures. Thank you very much! You can e-mail me back, or call me at 805-......(Ventura).
Best wishes and health to you and your wife! Sincerely, Kim C."
For those of you visiting this site, here is a book you'll cherish forever: So if you want a personally autographed copy, click here emnolbay1@verizon.net PRICE LIST AND IF YOU WANT A FREE LOOK FIRST AT AMERICA GONNIF,
Please note: Though this website is not yet constructed with an ECI setup -- shopping cart and all...you have several other ways to pay: Till it is, we'll be operating the old fashioned way, via E-mail correspondence and checks in the mail.(you can deduct the 37 cents) So please bear with us. . . Or go to the bookstore where you can order by credit card. (please note, though, that the prices may be somewhat higher there). . . Or you can pay through PayPal (payable to my e-mail address, emnolbay1@verizon.net).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Though a late bloomer (and this book is no exception), the writer
has enjoyed many varied and successful careers: .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(Photo taken July 1999)
Though retired, the author is constantly busy. His hobby is that of a financial advisor (he helps
conduct a finance class for seniors and manages the portfolios and tax
returns for family members); is presently a member of the Board of his Mandalay Shores
Community Association; is editor* of its quarterly newsletter (circulation
1400); and a volunteer Emeritus Attorney** for the Pro-Bono program of the Ventura County Bar Assn. When he is not at his computer or exercising, he spends his few idle hours reading current events and commenting --
and has opinions on everything: ** He and his team of Emeritus attorneys have recently been awarded the distingushed servive award at the 2002 California Bar Convention, presented by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Ronald George, before a large audience of distinguished attorneys and guests. And here's more of what he thinks: What if experiences nearly similar to those of the fictional Forrest Gump actually happened to a real person -- wouldn't that be intriguing? And what if the book contains some three hundred incidents about colorful, real, live people -- would you want to read such a book? . . . If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then AMERICA GONNIF should be on your library shelf. Take it home with you and -- paraphrasing the corn-flakes commercial -- 'Relive it again for the first time'. . . and that would not be a waste of time.
ABOUT BOOK SIGNINGS AND SALES
This book was ready for sale in early February of 2000 and THE FIRST BOOKSIGNING was held AT THE NEWLY REFURBISHED VICTORIAN ROSE, 896 EAST MAIN STREET IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN VENTURA. (31 books have been presold and approximately 20 more have been promised, but only 44 were available at this signing where refreshments and congeniality were served) It was a great and fruitful event: "what a party." SPECIAL NOTICE: The second printing (now available) contains edits and updated material, so when ordering from the online bookstores, be sure to ask for the newest copy which says "first edition, edited 2000" UPDATE, August 15, 2001: SLEEPLESS IN STORYLAND, a collection of essays, perspectives and short stories, is now available and several book signings are scheduled. The first one is on Saturday, Sept.1 (from 1 to 3 pm) at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Ventura. Another is scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Bank Of Books bookstore in Downtown Ventura. For another look and more about SLEEPLESS, click here
FLASH -- June 15, 2002. The book,"MY QUEST FOR CAMELOT" (the sequel to America Gonnif) is now published and its debut appearance is scheduled for the July 4th street fair at the My Last Hurrah location in downtown Ventura. Just received this E-mail message re America Gonnif . . .
To request the first 7 pages of GONNIF, free, click on the e-mail address below (emnolbay)
e-mail
This book with the strange name begins in a small Polish town during World War I. With quirky charm, the author takes you to America and romances you through the Roaring Twenties. And, with a human touch, the narrator vividly relives the Depression filled Thirties and the epic events of World War II. Then, when the war is over, settles you down in Southern California.
His tales tell of toil, tragedy and triumph in easy to read language -- with Bronx accents and idioms -- of how this family, caught in the maelstrom of The Great Depression, fought and survived; only to face a greater challenge -- for the survival of the civilized world -- and fought that one too.
His own path has been crossed by two Presidents* (and myriad Hollywood and sports personalities).
The generation he lived through is truly the "Greatest Generation," as described in the recent best seller by Tom Brokaw.
For older readers, this is a nostalgic and informative look back. For younger readers,
it should prove an inspiring and educational experience. . . . with a tender love
story to boot.
and if Bill Bradley ever becomes president, he would be another.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
On the opening page* are these words of introduction by the author: "To those who know what gonnif means, I know you'll enjoy this book. To those who don't know what it means, it is partly for you that I wrote it . . . and you'll probably enjoy it all the more." (Frankly, gonnif means thief and to understand why, and how it was used in this context, you'll have to read the book) . . . And, a quarter of the way through the story -- during the height (or depth) of the Depression -- he contemplates his goals: "I would be on 'cloud 9' if I had a steady job and a car . . . . . . and a girl of my own."
* in the first edition, edited 2000
"My dear Mr. Yablon
How your book touched my heart and brought back so many memories . . . such as, my mother sewing neckties and my father selling them door to door in New York. When he just could not live with that anymore he went to work for Klein's downtown -- the graveyard shift as a bookkeeper
(He was a sypmphony conductor in Berlin Germany. Never touched a piano again). I arrived in New York with my parents in 1938. We lived from '38 to '52 at west 98th Street, between West End Ave. and Broadway. . .
I loved your book. It is old home to me."
Mara L. N.
And that statement comes with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Tell the author how you want it signed and indicate the manner of payment
(and isn't it wonderful to make a new friend, in the bargain)
Paperbacks* are $14.95, hardcovers* are $24.95
(plus $2.95 shipping up to 2 copies -- 3 or more @ $1.00 each additional book)
Bigger discounts If you also order SLEEPLESS and CAMELOT ($2 off each additional book). To see those sites, scroll to the links above.
*Note: Signed copies of these books are already collectibles and, when available, sell at Barnes & Noble out-of-print bookstores for $61 and $85, respectively. Also, to groups in the Los Angeles and Ventura areas, the author is available for booksignings and readings (and can be fundraisers for the group. Contact him for details)
click on the e-mail address above (or at the bottom of this page) and request it as a pdf file or in plain text.
Even In his youth, he was too late (and too light) to make his High School Varsity football team, yet he was an accomplished athlete and gymnast, which served him well in the Navy during World War II (and still does today).
In his career, he followed his father's trade as a master carpenter; then
a contractor and a builder . . . and, at the age of fifty-one,
passed the California State Bar exam without ever having a formal college
education. He then practiced Law for ten years before retiring to the beach
community of Mandalay Shores (formerly Oxnard Shores, located halfway between Malibu and Santa
Barbara) where he is still active in multiple pursuits, which prompted a neighbor to recently
call him a "Renaissance Man" . . . And though he insisted that writing this
book would be his "last hurrah," -- even at his ripe young age, who
knows*. . . . Still, he maintains that his greatest achievement was finding the
girl, to whom he has been married for many, many years -- and still going
strong.
* since then, he has written two more books
*He has recently passed this project to a retired English teacher.
"I like travelling; I like reading stories about real people, and I love being with my family. I enjoy watching the documentaries and news magazines on TV, as well as major sporting events -- and the sitcoms for fun. But, somehow, I can't get excited
about reading fiction, as it is something that someone makes up. Often, when I'm watching television, I cringe at the incredulous situations the author comes up with -- only to be reminded that 'it's only a movie'. When you think about it, since none of it is true, reading such stuff, for some people, could be a waste of time. Think of all those Academy Award movies about real characters or events; it seems to me that a true story, when told interestingly, is more palatable because a reader can relive the incidents with the people in the book, knowing that they really happened. -- That is the quintessence of AMERICA GONNIF."
The book can also be purchased through the web sites listed below (on Mopam, go to "books for sale" and click on inspiratioal biographies and at Amazon (Borders) and Barnes & Noble, just type in NOLBAY for author. If ordered through Mopam (as well as direct) via e-mail, the author will autograph the book to the buyer. If purchased through the other booksellers, the buyer can receive a personally autographed bookplate, free of charge, by contacting the author via the e-mail address at the very bottom of this page (or contact him first for an offer you can't refuse).
UPDATE: The kickoff event and booksigning will again take place at The famous Downtown Ventura landmark, THE VICTORIAN ROSEon August 10, and preparations are now being planned.
"Al,
Love the book! I've laughed I've cried and laughed again. I have to ask you, what were you thinking when the gal invited you to the party during your delivery assignment, I mean what an invitation? I am just going into Pearl Harbor era, the first anniversary of Izzy's death, what a tragedy that was. It has been a captivating story line, very JD Salingeresque. Well worth the $14. My wife cannot wait to read it after I am done. Also, the football skirmish with Lombardi and Wojo, what a great experience."
Brendan.
ps: Those of you visiting this page who have read this book, please, please , write your comments, review, etc. to me and I'll publish it above and here (and that goes for my other books as well), thank you.
(like getting a call from Oprah -- or something like that)
emnolbay1@verizon.net
and about ten percent of that number have purchased a book (with no returns).
And as my old italian friend used to say, "attsa matta yu, why you no by more?"
* For some unexplained reason, after Oct. 31, 2002, the number counter stuck at 681 and failed to record further visits.
FLASH on Jan.15, the counters resumed -- but stopped at 703, 15 days later -- then resumed again... Ces't la technolog.