West of Goose Island: A Chicago Story

by Richard S. Post

Set in Chicago’s immigrant neighborhoods west of Goose Island, these lighthearted coming-of-age adventures recount growing up on rough and tumble Division Street. Inspired by a series of short stories that morphed into something much more, Post delivers a warm and humorous coming-of-age memoir that captures an era of Americana with heart and honesty.As seen through the eyes of three young boys, Chicago becomes a sort of full-contact playground where the realities of life, the love of family, and a world of adventure wait around every corner. Marked by a keen eye for detail, West of Goose A Chicago Story is a must-read for anyone, even those who didn’t live in the Second City. Post’s tales of life growing up in several Polish immigrant neighborhoods is part nostalgia, part history lesson, and an altogether invigorating journey to a simpler time. The streets and alleys of his neighborhood provided the adventure and life lessons we all experience. And in the tight-knit enclave just west of Goose Island where the phrase “It takes a village” operated in full force, the streets were safe because everyone looked out for one another. From swimming in the dank, bubbling darkness that was the North branch of the Chicago River surrounding Goose Island to the peculiarities of cultural assimilation, the 1940s and 1950s were a pretty great time to be a kid in his neighborhood, to learn about the value of hard work and education, and to truly understand the possibilities in a country where every dream could be realizedWe all remember moments of childhood that left indelible marks on our lives for one reason or another. Some are simple moments while others are more profound, but in every instance they leave behind an impression on our very beings, molding that we are from that moment forward. While they are not always positive, they set a foundation from which the rest of our lives are built. For Richard S. Post, those years were not only full of adventure but were also the beginning of an exciting life.

Genres: Memoir

182 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I also interned for the Chicago Police Department. After graduating I worked as a clandestine services operations officer for the CIA and as a university professor before becoming an international business consultant. I was a resident of Hong Kong and other parts of Asia for many years with my wife. Together we investigated white-collar theft and wrote sixteen textbooks on security and intellectual property protection. But it was my childhood on the streets of Chicago, not advanced degrees that built the foundation for all I accomplished.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a goodreads first reads winner of "West of Goose Island:A Chicago Story" This was a fun book to read by Richard S. Post. a memoir or what Mr. Post referred as a "remembrances of his childhood" Richard grew up in Chicago during the 1940 and 1950s. he lived in the "polish" section of Chicago, west of Goose Island. at home they spoke polish. I like those nostalgic books that talk of growing up in different eras. Mr. Post did a fine job describing his childhood growing up in Chicago.
This was an enjoyable read. If you like reading about what is it like during a certain time era, you may like this funny and well written book.

[Judy Friddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of living and growing up in an ethnic part of Chicago. The author shared his young observations of life and the way it was in the 1940's & 1950's.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard S. Post shares his memories of growing up in Chicago. He reminisces about his family, friends, neighborhood activities, going to camp, earning money, and getting into trouble, with humor and enough detail to be able to picture the events! At 170 pages, this book can easily be read in one sitting. If you enjoy going back in time to the 1950's, you'll enjoy this book.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

West of Goose Island was a nice change of pace: a memoir of growing up in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago in the late 1940s/early 1950s. The author maintains that it was "a good time to be a kid," and the sense of freedom and exploration is palpable. Reading his account, I came to the conclusion it wasn't that bad things didn't happen when he was a kid (for they did), but people didn't seem to live with the sense of fear and "helicopter parenting" that are common today. Actually, that is what I liked best about this book, that it was happy without being sentimental.

I requested this book as a Good Reads Giveaway (and won, so this is my honest review of a free copy) because of the Chicago setting--I currently live in Illinois, so I was curious about this glimpse into the recent past. It was a nice snapshot of a certain time and place, and also what it was like to grow up as the children of Polish immigrants.

Some of the child's eye observations were quite humorous, such as:
"It was her time; everybody dies. It was just her being called by God."
"But if she saw a doctor and he fixed her, would that make God angry if she didn't come when he called the first time?" I asked.

Overall, a fun memoir. Recommended for people interested in Chicago, growing up in the 1950s and/or the immigrant experience.

[Jjudyfl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads.
A boy grows up in a neighborhood of multiple ethnic families, in a section of Chicago. If the reader had anything to do with the 1950s he will experience a sense of "been there, done that." Chapters are devoted to finding cardboard boxes & building forts/playhouses and finding mercury & handling it/coating coins with it, etc.
(In the 60s, mercury-containing prescription style bottles were (HO-HUM) often taken to MY school & shared. Nowadays schools are shut down, and HAZMAT teams are called when mercury is found.)
Anyone born in the 80s or 90s won't have that deja vu feeling I had, cool finds behind stores and in alleys, homemade bikes and the non-paranoia of simply 'being outside,' safe in one's own neighborhood.
Alhough I didn't learn or gain from GOOSE ISLAND, I am going to say that I liked it. It is written plainly, simply, and freezes a definite era & place. It is a non-egotistical memoir , a gentle reflection of a gentle time... Do consider a peek...

[Catherine Stickann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"West of Goose island: A Chicago Story" by Richard S. Post is a delightful read of growing up in post WWII Chicago. This memoir was written in short memories of growing up in a Polish, Ukrainian, Russian neighborhood. The stories remind the reader of the innocence of youth and all that each of us has to figure out as we approach adulthood. Though the events are specific to the time and location, the lessons are universal.

Post’s description of the city was not lost on the reader who has spent some time in the area the book takes place. A more detailed map of the city would have saved some time searching for intersections near the locations mentioned. Certainly, the area of Chicago described brought back many memories of locations and sites in the city.

I won this book on Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the joys of growing up in a much simpler time. 5 Stars

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this through GoodReads! Thank you!

I was interested in this book to learn about those neighborhoods from years ago since I have a family member who lives there. (The author even mentioned the street) It was fun to hear about what went on in the life of the author, Richard S Post, growing up in the 1940's and 1950's in the Polish section of the city. When immigrants came from their respective 'old' countries, (Poland, Germany, Italy, etc.), the families lived with and took care of each other. It wasn't unusual to have Grandma living in the upstairs apartment, Uncle living in the basement and cousins next door. You couldn't 'get away' with anything because the neighbors made sure to tell your parents. They knew who were the good kids and those who were the troublemakers to stay away from.
This is written with humor - an honest account of days gone by.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the First Reads program.

West of Goose Island: A Chicago Story is a nostalgia-filled look back at the author's childhood in a Polish neighborhood of Chicago. The story takes place in the 1940s and 1950s when many people in the neighborhood had recently emigrated and Polish was heard and spoken more than English at home. The story is told in the childhood voice of the author.

Recommended for those who would enjoy a nostalgic look at one boy's childhood growing up in the 1940s and 1950s.

[Colleen Estep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book of a boy growing up in Chicago in the 1940's and 50's, in a Polish neighborhood where his grandmother, Aunts, Uncles, cousins & all live. It was a fun and loving community, where everyone knows everyone and they are quick to tell your folks if you've gotten in trouble. There is the Catholic school with the nuns and lots of adventures with his friends and cousins. A good read with just enough nostalgia to make you wish you had grown up in those times. I received this from Goodreads and many thanks to the author and them.

[B H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every story made me want to learn more about each of the people - What happened to Uncle Stanley; what happened next to Dickie; what happened to the his cousins and the other kids in the neighborhood. The book is heartwarming and pulled me into wanting to know more about this part of Chicago. It is good for any age and one doesn't need to be from Chicago to appreciate the warmth of the families, sensibilities of the time; adventures of the kids - all told from a retrospective. Well worth the read!

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this book on Goodreads and glad I did. This book contains various yet intertwined stories on a polish child growing up in Chicago after a post war immigration to America. The stories contained characters many reads know or have known and can relate. I found myself chuckling a few times about how this kid interpreted the American slang words and phrases.
This was an enjoyable and easy read. Surprisingly delightful.

[Mark]

A fine memoir whose occasional lapses in style, punctuation and grammar (I know I harp on this, but if you're going to write a book, a judicious, even brief, copyediting strikes me as de rigeur) compromised, for this reader, its effectiveness.

[Harry Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written story of growing up in Chicago during a special time in history. It is written in a very vivid style that incredibly real and honest. I highly recommend it!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great insight to the struggles in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. I felt like I was reading about my father's childhood.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!