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Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer shares with readers the lesser-known areas of your father’s life and his passion for artwork, both written and with various media methods. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The year 2022 was the 50th year of his passing. I was 14 at the time. He was a writer, a painter, a photographer, and more…but, of course, he was my dad, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. But in 2022, my brother and I wanted to put his legacy out in the public for people to learn about what a wonderful and creative soul he was. I began to gather his paintings, his stories and cartoons, had over 300 slides converted to digital, and before I knew it, there was a substantial body of work.
It was as much a personal passion project as it was about sharing his art with the world. I think that, too often, we look at art and don’t see the person behind it. Irv Schiffer expressed himself in so many ways that I felt it was the most important thing for me to show others his personality and joy through his art.
When you and your brother were creating this book and researching all of his work, did you find anything that surprised you about your father?
We started this as, not a book, but as something to do to collect our dad’s output in one place. But my brother had just turned 70, and I wanted to surprise him by completing this for his enjoyment. We were both extremely surprised at the amount of material there was. Specifically, I was surprised to learn he had a very renowned literary agent at the time and also that he had just pitched out a book exposing the private surveillance industry for the shady things that were going on at the time. I never knew about that.
Irv Schiffer was a true Renaissance man who created his art using diverse methods and media, from the written word to physical art. What is your favorite work of art that your father created and why?
He was a songwriter and lyricist too, so I think his song “Ain’t You Got a Pencil,” which could have stood shoulder to shoulder with any of the witty songs of the Great American Songbook, is my favorite of all.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your father’s story?
To cherish authentic art from unknowns wherever you find it and to support indie artists!
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Here, for the first time, is a collection of all the paintings we could find, a record of his short stories, trade magazine articles, photos, a full (unpublished) manuscript and a traditionally published book, line drawings for a detective agency newsletter, and even cartoons. While not complete (he gave away or sold some paintings that we have no record of), it is a healthy and appreciable account of a beautiful, artistic soul who was our father. These works will hopefully paint their own picture of why Knowing Irv was a cherished and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer
Lose yourself in the beautifully nostalgic pages of Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer, a heartwarming journey curated and penned by his daughter, Debbie Burke. This isn’t merely a book but a cozy evening spent exploring vintage photo albums and family tales of a cherished TV screenplay writer from the golden days of the ’50s and ’60s.
With a genuine passion and a poignant touch, Debbie weaves a tapestry that melds together professional milestones and intimate family moments, artfully presenting Irv’s world behind the script and the family dinner table. She brings forth not just a memoir but an intricate portrait of a man whose life was as colorful and layered as the era he lived through.
Irv wasn’t just a multifaceted artist; he was a multifaceted person. From the radios of World War II, where he served dutifully as a Radio Officer, to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, where he and his beloved Roslyn embarked on their journey as a young married couple – his life was a rich narrative that deserved its dedicated pages.
The visuals within this memoir are storytellers in their own right. Marvel at original documents and Irv’s own snapshots that don’t just validate but vivify the historical tales nestled within the chapters. Irv’s lens captured the essence of Brooklyn, revealing the artful beauty in daily mundanities and the inevitable passage of time.
We witness Irv’s artistic evolution, as his love for capturing moments extends from photography to the tender strokes of his later-life painting and pastel work, immortalizing the faces of those he held dear in vibrant color and emotion.
Knowing Irv is a walk through history and a delightful amble through the memories and moments that defined an era and a remarkable man. It invites readers of all ages to engage, reflect, and perhaps find a piece of their own history in its pages. Young minds will unearth treasures of a bygone era, while older hearts will find a nostalgic haven reminiscent of yesteryears and a quiet tribute to an undoubtedly inspirational American man.
This book preserves Irv’s legacy and brings his spirit to life, allowing every reader to know him and in doing so, to connect with a rich, collective past that shapes our present.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0CHHBVFRR
The Strength of a Thousand Sons
The Strength of a Thousand Sons: More Stories from My Texas Family is an inspiring and eye-opening memoir written by Melvin E. Edwards. All families have a long history, and some of them possess a past that can only be described as gruesome and heartbreaking. This is the case with the Edwards family. Born into slavery, it was hard to imagine anything good ever-growing from such a soul-draining situation. Melvin Edwards does a fantastic job of portraying the hard path that his family had to take long ago and how with each new generation, new changes started to materialize that led to the evolution of the family dynamics. Social discourse, racism, and the importance of a healthy family are brought concisely in this memoir, giving the reader a history lesson that will broaden their perspective.
From the beginning, the book captures the reader’s attention. After researching for some time, the author was able to compile a collection of stories from his African-American family that ran through multiple generations. This compelling idea made for an incredibly interesting storyline that showcased the evolution of a family as it went along with relevant social and cultural changes. We get to see how everything started: with cruelty and slavery, which directly affects the Edwards family and their interactions with one another, impacting their familial bond. At some point, one of the members realizes that something needs to change in order to nurture the life of the next generations, avoiding at all costs carrying the trauma that was part of the family history.
This is a story of hardships. Even though it’s short, the author gathers in a concise manner a series of relevant events that surround and explain his family’s evolution. Historical landmarks are brought every few chapters, such as the eradication of slavery and Black suffrage. Offering a new perspective and a clear lens through which to view the difficult past of Black Americans in the United States, this book is essential for every reader out there, regardless of age, race, gender, or nationality.
The Strength of a Thousand Sons is a stirring memoir about changing the course of a family’s negative path. The point of view of the author is very clear. He offers his family’s experiences along with some social commentary, inviting the reader to do some introspection and confront the dark past that hides behind many faces out there. Despite the many negative events, the author finds a way to add a positive perspective, hoping for a better future that can only be achieved if society as a whole learns from the mistakes of the past.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : B0B6MF51BZ
First Generation Father
![First Generation Father: How to Build a Healthy and Happy Home When You Come From a Broken One by [Anthony Blankenship]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41OHET5cN2L.jpg)
In First Generation Father: How to Build a Healthy and Happy Home When You Come From a Broken One, Anthony Blankenship displays his diverse writing skills. The author’s writing will have one virtually wear his shoes and experience the things he went through. Not only is he skilled with his narration, but he is also great when driving a point home. Anthony Blankenship will give stories and tales of his experiences, but at the end of the paragraph, there will be a life lesson or life hack that the author will have shared. Reading this book was a delight. It enables you to see life from the eyes of different people and helps you understand the different types of families that exist.
In the introduction, the author explains in detail what a first-generation father is. He explains that a first-generation father is any man who grew up without having to experience the love and guidance of a father. One thing I have to applaud Anthony Blankenship on is how great he is when explaining unfamiliar terms and new words. The author goes into detail and even gives examples whenever he talks of a subject or a term not many are familiar with. Reading about and understanding all the terms associated with broken unhappy homes, trauma, and childhood depression was interesting.
Anthony Blankenship’s story is not entirely sad. A huge part of his narration was agonizing but one could see the light at the end of the tunnel. The author writes extensively about his childhood and time growing up, talking about family members and everyone he interacted with. Reading about his past was intriguing. Anthony Blankenship is so good with his words that one can tell how emotional he was when going through the experiences and when recounting them. I appreciate the positive tone in the author’s text. Anthony Blankenship had a ray of hope and positivity even when talking about sad events. He has a way of encouraging his readers and people that may be going through the struggles he went through.
First Generation Father is a great book for fathers that want to be the best version of themselves and young men who are yet to experience fatherhood. There are tons of lessons for males and wise words that will guide them as they lead their homes. Every child deserves a happy home and as the author writes, no one should be stigmatized for coming from broken homes. There are a dozen lessons for both parents and children. The language used in the book is easy to understand and the stories told compellingly. First Generation Father is a nice quick read that will have you appreciate the work present fathers do.
Pages: 204 | ASIN: B08JNN82PP
