Thanks Guys

by James Cass

(Thanks Guys.) is a humorous look at growing up in a working class blue collar neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago from the innocent "Fifties" to the not so innocent way of life today. Written to thank his close friends, it looks back on fond recollections of the group, explaining the unique trust and camaraderie amongst them that exists to this day, a span of six decades. It cleverly chronicles years of friendship between a collection of individuals who in their youth spent days playing baseball on lazy summer afternoons, follows them through their school years, the incredible year as teenagers when they had their own clubhouse, through the escapades on the innumerable trips they took together. As the cast of characters grow into adulthood it describes the ballgames, card games and the endless beers they drank in bars on untold nights where they argued, debated and discussed topics where no one was wrong, everybody was right and everyone had an opinion. The story spans 10 Presidents, 38 Super Bowls, 37 Heavyweight Champions of the World, 13 Olympic Games, 4 Popes and 5 different actors playing the part of James Bond. Truly a definition of friendship this book is a witty commentary that anyone who has ever hung with a group of close friends will enjoy.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2005