Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of the Mob, Judy Garland, & Interior Decorating

by Elliot Tiber

*** IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist (AUDIOBOOK - Nonfiction category) ***Palm Trees on the Hudson is the hilarious prequel to Elliot Tiber’s bestseller Taking Woodstock. Before Elliot found financial success by bringing Woodstock Ventures to his upstate motel, he was one of Manhattan’s leading interior designers. Then Elliot’s career came to a halt due to a floating society party, Judy Garland, and the Mob.In April 1968, Elliot was hired to throw an elegant dinner party aboard a luxury yacht on the Hudson River. Included on the guest list were New York’s rich and famous―politicians, financiers, and even Elliot’s icon, Judy Garland. The big night arrived. But when a fight broke out, resulting in the destruction of everything including rented palms, Elliot’s event turned into financial disaster. Things couldn’t get any worse―or so it seemed until the Mob paid a visit.By turns comic and tragic, Palm Trees on the Hudson is the take-no-prisoners memoir that gives readers a more intimate look at the man who went on to fight back at Stonewall and who helped give birth to the Woodstock Nation.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2010

Reviews

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Baby, let me tell you about home,’” quips Judy Garland, Elliot Tiber’s spiritual mentor and a long-standing icon of the gay rights movement in America. “‘Home is whatever’s in your suitcase and wherever you hang your hat. Contrary to the movie [i.e. The Wizard of Oz], it ain’t in Kansas. Home is wherever you want it to be.” Only later does the true meaning of these words come home to Tiber, whose exceptionally well-written memoir, Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of The Mob, Judy Garland & Interior Decorating, tells of the lead-up to, and the crash back down after, a birthday bash for a member of the Mob that he arranges on board a dayliner on the Hudson, at which Judy is the chief draw card.

In this rags-to-riches-and-back-again riveter, Tiber tells of his triumph over the endless carping and discouragement of his mother, by means of his working his way up from the position of what was little more than a window-dresser to being one of the leading interior decorators and designers in New York City. The emotional upheavals of his life take the backstage to a focus on the development of his career from working as a relatively low-paid employee for a city store to where he owns his own highly successful business, only to have that come toppling down when his main client pulls out from paying him a dime for what he regarded as the crowning point of his career. Back at home base, Tiber is forced to rethink the reasons behind the demise of his going concern, and, despite, or perhaps because of, the negative impact of his mother’s ongoing criticism, he is, at last, able to appreciate the full meaning of Garland’s words.

Tiber’s constant longing for a soul mate is still left unfulfilled at the end of this work, only to be realized in his later work, but the pivotal relationships of his early life and burgeoning career are fully explored. The importance of friendship and family are fully expressed in the closeness that he feels to his younger sister, and the gratitude that he shows to supportive clients. The humor that prevails throughout Palm Trees on the Hudson makes this both an entertaining and an enlightening text. The soul-searching to which Tiber subjects himself makes this a particularly worthwhile text for all of those interested in, and affected by, the gay lifestyle.

Tiber has both written and produced numerous award-winning plays, musical comedies, television shows, and films. As a professor of comedy writing and performance, he has taught at the New School University and Hunter College in Manhattan. Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of The Mob, Judy Garland & Interior Decorating is the exceptionally entertaining prequel to his bestselling memoir Taking Woodstock, which is now an acclaimed motion picture from director Ang Lee.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digging it so far. Just on beginning chapters. Set in Greenwich Village, 50s, Beatniks.
I know this is going to be a 5 Star book. So a big thanks to Elliot Tiber for making this a free Kindle book.
Barb 7/22/11

Ok, now I'm finished and changing to 5 stars. I was rooting for Elliot through the whole book. And right now I'm going to listen to a few Judy Garland songs.
Barb 7/23/11

[Audra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book.

[Sandra]

A Fun Summer Read

A lot of people will relate to Elliot's story of rising above family expectations to find the true meaning of life.

[Jen Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick read giving reads an interesting insight to the life of a gay man in New York. And a peak behind the curtain on the topic of Judy Garland as an icon to the LGBTQ community of the 1940’s - 1960’s. You also get a glimpse of how difficult it was to come of age in a period when you were still considered a criminal for loving someone of the same sex. Touching and funny!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read about one man’s journey in life. Elliott Teichberg, now Elliot Tiber grew up in Brooklyn, NY with a very domineering mother. He becomes a talented decorator and makes a name for himself in the world. He had a lot of struggles and eventually did very well in life. I thought it was a good book overall.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sensitive and entertaining memoir written by Elliott Tiber. Some parts were hilarious, others were sad as he had to deal with a lot of unscrupulous people. In the end, I thought he made a nice recovery.

[Terry Fazio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read, Elliot obsessed with Judy Garland relates growing up as a gay man in Brooklyn and becomes a successful artist. True story.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

'If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why can't I?'

This review is from: Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of the Mob, Judy Garland & Interior Decorating (Hardcover)
Elliot Tiber (AKA Eliahu Teichberg) has the gift! He can take a story about his life, embroider it with many truths and then provide scatological filigree on riffs that include social mores, New York lifestyles, Judy Garland etc and come up with a novel (AKA memoir, because it is almost all true) that rivals some of the famous authors of this ilk - Armistead Maupin, for example. He had us at 'Taking Woodstock' so where does he go from that smashingly successful book? Well, back to the earlier episodes of his life - from birth to age 35 just as his Woodstock escapade was about to happen.

We learn about Tiber's childhood, under the influence of his dominating mother, was filled with terrific little asides about sibling rivalry, the family business, his utter infatuation with Judy Garland in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and his leaving home for school. He journeys into Greenwich Village and begins a career in 'the arts' of interior decorating - a haven for a lad who finds fellow gay friends and is able to start a career of significance. The main story in this collection of tales is the party he stages on the Hudson River attended by his idol Judy Garland (ah!) and paid for by a mob boss - who reneges on payment in a very Humphrey Bogart setting, leaving our hero forced to live in the family motel - and then some.

Elliot Tiber writes so well that once a reader begins this little outing it stays in the hands and mind until the final cover closes. It is a bright little book with many aspects of desire, the need for human kindness, and a big dollop of fantasy.

Grady Harp

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palm Trees on the Hudson: A True Story of the Mob, Judy Garland, & Interior Decorating is written by Elliot Tiber, author of the bestselling Taking Woodstock.
This biography chronicles Tiber's life until around the age of 35. It glimpses at his childhood with his cold mother and passive father, his "run for freedom" to Greenwich Village, and his struggle to become a success as an interior decorator.

Tiber seems like such a fascinating person, and in this memoir I couldn't help but feel for him as he talked about his mother, or as he searched for someone to love. But I also amazed by him, from his time in Greenwich Village to his meeting with his icon, Judy Garland. He came across as an incredibly likable person through the pages, and I, the reader, held a permanent seat in his corner rooting him on the further in the book I read.

He has a way with words which made the book a quick read and it in no way "dragged on" or made reading it feel like a chore. It was enjoyable through and through even though a lot of the content wasn't all "sunshine and rainbows".

Anyone who read and enjoyed Tiber's Taking Woodstock should give this, the prequel, a try. You will not be disappointed

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel to Tiber's Taking Woodstock is both hilarious and heartbreaking. In this memoir, Elliot Tiber recalls escaping Brooklyn and his passive father and emasculating and controlling mother and moving to Manhattan where he attends college, lives on practically nothing, and eventually becomes a leading New York City interior designer. Then April 1968 arrives. Tiber is asked to create an over-the-top birthday celebration for a man who turns out to be involved with the mob. The party began as a huge success until, predictably, chaos broke out. On the plus side, Tiber had a chance during the ensuring chaos to connect for a brief time with his idol, Judy Garland. On the negative side, the mob paid him a visit and gave him a clear warning that resulting in Tiber getting the hell out of Dodge and relocating for a while to upstate New York. After reading this book, I'm definitely going to be checking out Taking Woodstock and continuing this story.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir is a quick read highlighting Elliot's struggle to become a successful interior decorator in 1960's Manhattan. I did not find the book "hilarious" as the book jacket states, but it was interesting and poignant. The pivotal event was the private party Elliot staged for the owner of the Crystal Palace who unbeknownst to Elliot had mob affiliations. Elliott also struggles with an overbearing Jewish mother, funneling money into his parent's failing motel enterprise and addressing his homosexuality at a time it was condemned by many.

[Ilene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful romp through Elliot Tiber's life prior to 1969 and Woodstock. He takes you on his wild ride from lower Manhattan up to White Lake in the town of Bethel, NY. The story is exactly about what his subtitle states, "the mob, Judy Garland, and interior decorating". You can feel the exhilaration of his highs and the despair of his lows. A fun book to read, and very nostalgic for someone like me who spent all her summers during her formative years in White Lake, directly across the road from the El Monaco motel.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliot Tiber tells of his life growing up in Brooklyn with a domineering mother and a submissive father in this quirky memoir. It also explains how he survived his upbringing to escape to the go to college and become a decorator and also a motel owner. The funny (not laugh out loud) vignettes of life in Manhattan, the people he meets, especially Judy Garland and situations he gets himself into makes this a entertaining book. Its quick read into the eccentric mind of this author.

[TwoDrinks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't well written (maybe it doesn't matter as it's a memoir?) and I'm not convinced that all the events in it are true. I think I find the author a bit of a noticebox which reduces my interest in him. It seems to have been published in 2010 and if that's correct, I find some of his views of the world surprisingly antiquated and sometimes prejudicial for a gay man whose social life pre-dates gay equality. That said, the stories in the book are interesting and passed the time.

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it was a 'free' Kindle book, and found it very enjoyable - thank you, Amazon. I doubt if I would have read it otherwise, but glad I did.

Elliot's early years were full of adventure and I often laughed at some of his stories. The reflection of the his life at the end of the book was moving.

[liirogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining memoir of a gay Jewish man trying to become a successful interior designer in 1950s & 60s New York. It's only the first part of his story - this is a prequel to "Taking Woodstock." It's a quick read and I found a lot of his stories fascinating. It's easy to forget (or not realize) just how commonplace anti-gay attitudes were such a relatively short time ago.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept thinking, “What a life!” Thoroughly enjoyed the rich descriptions of the designs and furnishings. I hesitate to call it a “fun” read because there were some things about the story which were heartbreaking, but...”What a life!” If you find the description of the book appealing, I’d say go for it. You will likely enjoy it.

[Liz Kuhns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty well-written. I enjoy memoirs even if I do not recognize the person as famous, so this book was right up my alley.

[Doreena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just cant get into this one...

[Darla O'brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun read!

[Becki Racunas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting, but more of an autobiography.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an entertaining short memoir. Well written. Didn't even know who this guy was, but it didn't matter.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free on Kindle. A fascinating read. Prequel of Woodstock Nation

[Ace Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read that was everything I expected but nothing more. Not sure how much of it is accurate, but it was a fun look at a particular time and place.

[Terra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept wanting it to get better, but the writing was very stilted and reminded me of some of my freshman comp memoirs.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1960s through the eyes of Elliot Tiber. Interesting look at the gay community in New York and one man's episodic family dysfunction. Very funny.

[Virginia Hlavaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got it free for my Kindle, but I really liked it. It was a light, fast read.

[Meredith Kleeger Oppenheim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Judy Garland, Drag Queeens and comedy you will like this book.
A prequel to Taking Woodstock.

[willowdog]

Poorly written memoir