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Misadventures of a 1970s Childhood: A Humorous Memoir
“Misadventures of a 1970s Childhood” delivers 18 stories about:
• 6th grade puppy love
• A large wooden stereo console
• The first David Cassidy shag haircut
• A dog that ran away
• The old photo box in our parents' hall closet
• Reassessing my grandmother’s difficult life
• Bike jumps that nearly killed us
• Revenge on the sledding slopes
• A child left behind at the drive-in theater
• A toilet clogged with an apple core
• And other misadventures common to the 70s
I hope enjoy reliving your 1970s childhood memories as much as I enjoyed writing about my own.
Tom Purcell
Tom@TomPurcell.com
www.TomPurcell.com
• 6th grade puppy love
• A large wooden stereo console
• The first David Cassidy shag haircut
• A dog that ran away
• The old photo box in our parents' hall closet
• Reassessing my grandmother’s difficult life
• Bike jumps that nearly killed us
• Revenge on the sledding slopes
• A child left behind at the drive-in theater
• A toilet clogged with an apple core
• And other misadventures common to the 70s
I hope enjoy reliving your 1970s childhood memories as much as I enjoyed writing about my own.
Tom Purcell
Tom@TomPurcell.com
www.TomPurcell.com
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2015
132 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Tom Purcell
7 books7 followersAuthor of a light-hearted book about growing up in the 70s and, coming soon, the Sean McClanahan mystery series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 14, 2016
This book was listed as a humorous memoir so I was surprised that there was not as much humor as I expected.
I was also surprised that there were so many errors in this short book; these were errors that a good editor should have found. In one place there was a typo on the author's mother's first name.
The book had quite a bit of repetition. I got the impression that the chapters may have been some of the columns Tom had written over the years. Since his readers could change from one column to another, it would make sense to repeat some of the facts about his life, but that repetition was not a good idea in a book.
I was also surprised that there were so many errors in this short book; these were errors that a good editor should have found. In one place there was a typo on the author's mother's first name.
The book had quite a bit of repetition. I got the impression that the chapters may have been some of the columns Tom had written over the years. Since his readers could change from one column to another, it would make sense to repeat some of the facts about his life, but that repetition was not a good idea in a book.
January 18, 2016
What a sweet read this was. The author really did a great job of triggering treasured memories of a time when being a kid was special. We really were lucky to have grown up in the 60s and 70s. I loved it.
March 17, 2015
Very entertaining stories about a simpler time when kids could be kids (as long as you were home in time for dinner). Anyone who grew up in the 70's will enjoy this book.
February 22, 2018
Great nostalgia. I loved this book. . As a child of the 70's myself I enjoyed reading about things that I remember. I enjoyed basking in the carefree world of those long ago days that will (probably) never come again (unless we have a zombie apocalypse or a superflu that wipes out most of the population so we don't have to be afraid for our kids to go out wandering around and have fun). I wish the author would have written a longer book and I was hoping he would have given more information about his siblings. The nostalgia was great so I gave the book a 5-star rating. It wasn't in-depth or anything, just snippets of a life lived by a man who is (or was at the time the book was written) over half a century old. For anyone who wants to experience those fun bygone days of the 1970's or for those (like me) who want to relive our youth during that time, I highly recommend this book.
May 30, 2020
This had me cracking up in some parts as I could relate to doing some of the things the author described. Fast easy read
August 3, 2022
Today there's much talk about the effects of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age. The miracle is that any of us survived childhood. There were NO seat belts, NO safety helmets, and NO helicopter parents.
The Greatest Generation produced huge families. Four to six kids was the norm; any fewer and people wondered what was wrong with you. Then they pushed us out the door to entertain ourselves. Either they had so many kids they could afford to lose a few or they were overly optimistic about our common sense and survival skills. It made for a hair-raising childhood and Purcell's very funny, very well-written stories are evocative of an era that is long gone.
The statute of limitations having expired, I can tell you that we once left my youngest brother sleeping in his baby basket when we packed up and headed home after a week-end at our lakeside cabin. Don't remember how far we got when we realized he was missing or how many voted for going back and how many for leaving him until the next week-end. I suspect my mother exercised her veto power on that occasion, since we definitely went back for him.
This author is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Trust me. I was there.
The Greatest Generation produced huge families. Four to six kids was the norm; any fewer and people wondered what was wrong with you. Then they pushed us out the door to entertain ourselves. Either they had so many kids they could afford to lose a few or they were overly optimistic about our common sense and survival skills. It made for a hair-raising childhood and Purcell's very funny, very well-written stories are evocative of an era that is long gone.
The statute of limitations having expired, I can tell you that we once left my youngest brother sleeping in his baby basket when we packed up and headed home after a week-end at our lakeside cabin. Don't remember how far we got when we realized he was missing or how many voted for going back and how many for leaving him until the next week-end. I suspect my mother exercised her veto power on that occasion, since we definitely went back for him.
This author is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Trust me. I was there.
May 31, 2014
An Apple Core, a Toilet: Misadventures and Memories of a 1970's Childhood by Tom Purcell is a cute bit of memories from the past. I could identify with a few of the short stories Purcell wrote about. He was eight years younger than me so some things were very poignant and others were past my time. It is true we were out all day, expected to come in for lunch and be home by dinner out afterwards in the summer home when the street lights turned on. I can remember scouting thru the woods even running thru the cornfield from one of the last farms.
January 29, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories from the author's childhood in the 60's and 70's: the David Cassidy hair style, the stereo console and losing children in a large family. I especially enjoyed the comparison to raising children nowadays in the wake of 24/7 sensationalist new coverage.
How on earth did I ever survive my childhood?
How on earth did I ever survive my childhood?
December 18, 2015
This is a loving, nostalgic look back at growing up in a Catholic neighborhood in Pittsburgh in the 60's and 70's.
The author has funny, honest stories about his family, friends, and neighbors.
If you remember Sting-Ray bikes, drive in movies and long summer bike rides you will love this book. For younger folks, you can learn about live before video games, stranger danger and bike helmets
The author has funny, honest stories about his family, friends, and neighbors.
If you remember Sting-Ray bikes, drive in movies and long summer bike rides you will love this book. For younger folks, you can learn about live before video games, stranger danger and bike helmets
December 9, 2015
Anyone over the age of 45 will totally love this book! I could relate to everything except the snow stuff as I grew up in California. I laughed so much and this book brought so many childhood memories it wasn't funny! It's a great read!
October 22, 2016
Sentimental and nostalgic, if a bit folksy. The memories are spot on though with many of my own recollections of childhood. Best suited for people 45 and older. I don't suspect it will resonate as well if you weren't alive back then.
October 10, 2017
A stroll down memory lane
This was a great book. Several of these memories were like my own childhood, sledding, playing outside, coming in only when the streetlights came on. A simpler time,/wish we could go back.
This was a great book. Several of these memories were like my own childhood, sledding, playing outside, coming in only when the streetlights came on. A simpler time,/wish we could go back.
November 14, 2015
Wonderful!
This book brought so many memories flooding back! I laughed out loud and smiled sadly: it took me back so vividly I was sorry to see it end.
This book brought so many memories flooding back! I laughed out loud and smiled sadly: it took me back so vividly I was sorry to see it end.
March 31, 2020
Misadventures gives a pretty accurate look at what the fortunate life of a baby boomer was like. This author not only tells us of his funny escapades growing up, but here and there, it seems he found some facts and did just a bit of research on things like bikes and sleds that added a lot to the story.
The author is exceptionally appreciative at this later date of all the people in his life and the places and events, but there was one person who really stood out to me, that Tom was lucky to have in his life. Tom had the most pleasant easy going father. I was constantly amazed at the calm, loving demeanor of the things he said and did.
I'm going to add just a couple excerpts as they seem so pertinent to today.
"During the Depression and World War II, however - the years when my parents grew up - America had to suppress its longing for niceties. People had little money during the Depression and when people had some money during the war, there was nothing to buy 0 most everything produced was done so to support the war. "
Here are the typical boomer picnic foods, we did salad, but in a different way:
"My mother would pack cold fried chicken, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, sodas and some Pabst Blue Ribbon for my father and we'd carry our provisions from the station wagon to the picnic area."
Fun memoir that will make you laugh and also tear you up when his mom takes Jangles for a car ride.
The author is exceptionally appreciative at this later date of all the people in his life and the places and events, but there was one person who really stood out to me, that Tom was lucky to have in his life. Tom had the most pleasant easy going father. I was constantly amazed at the calm, loving demeanor of the things he said and did.
I'm going to add just a couple excerpts as they seem so pertinent to today.
"During the Depression and World War II, however - the years when my parents grew up - America had to suppress its longing for niceties. People had little money during the Depression and when people had some money during the war, there was nothing to buy 0 most everything produced was done so to support the war. "
Here are the typical boomer picnic foods, we did salad, but in a different way:
"My mother would pack cold fried chicken, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, sodas and some Pabst Blue Ribbon for my father and we'd carry our provisions from the station wagon to the picnic area."
Fun memoir that will make you laugh and also tear you up when his mom takes Jangles for a car ride.
September 9, 2020
This is a light-hearted stroll down memory lane for those of you of a certain age. Purcell is about my age, so his memories are pretty much the same as mine: mostly in the late 60s and 70s. He is a newspaper columnist and so each story is well crafted, and in fact, the style of the stories are such that each one is fairly independent and may well have earlier appeared in some form in his newspaper column. Regardless, this is a collection of charming stories, typical stuff we all recall, baffling our dad by flushing something we shouldn’t down the toilet, sledding down hills too steep to reasonable do, trips across country, grandma, etc. My only complaint is a minor one: Purcell occasionally gets off on how none of this would be allowed now because we are so safety conscious. Ok, maybe he is correct, maybe he is not, but I don’t care. I’m reading this book to reminisce, not to complain about our current culture. But those spots are very few and far between. Overwhelmingly it is just a sweet stroll down memory lane.
November 8, 2017
Growing Up In 1970’s Suburbia
This is a fun memoir that consists of many vignettes about growing up as a late baby boomer. I can certainly relate to the author’s stories of huge console stereos, shag haircuts, sledding and Stingray Bikes. There are also the eternal stories of puppy love, many siblings, Catholic school and drive-in movie theaters. The author does a nice job of reminding the reader of things we may have forgotten. Not all of the stories are funny some are very poignant. Quite a fun trip down memory lane!
This is a fun memoir that consists of many vignettes about growing up as a late baby boomer. I can certainly relate to the author’s stories of huge console stereos, shag haircuts, sledding and Stingray Bikes. There are also the eternal stories of puppy love, many siblings, Catholic school and drive-in movie theaters. The author does a nice job of reminding the reader of things we may have forgotten. Not all of the stories are funny some are very poignant. Quite a fun trip down memory lane!
December 16, 2019
Fun read!
I have to admit to being envious of the author. I can’t identify with his experiences, but I KNOW my husband grew up just as he describes in this book (what a difference our eight year age gap makes, in that respect!). Honestly, if my hubby were to meet the author, I can imagine they’d sit down and share several beers and laugh over the number of things they have in common as I sat and listened with envy because my childhood just wasn’t quite this carefree! But that’s cool, because my husband is (obviously) one of the best people I know!
I have to admit to being envious of the author. I can’t identify with his experiences, but I KNOW my husband grew up just as he describes in this book (what a difference our eight year age gap makes, in that respect!). Honestly, if my hubby were to meet the author, I can imagine they’d sit down and share several beers and laugh over the number of things they have in common as I sat and listened with envy because my childhood just wasn’t quite this carefree! But that’s cool, because my husband is (obviously) one of the best people I know!
December 11, 2018
Brings you back
I am a child of the 70's and 80's and this really brought me back to that. Although I became a teen in the 90's i still had this upbringing to a point and it's funny how much we really all had the same memories of little things and how much has changed. I have two adult kids now and we all enjoy the tech of today but this made me wish for the outside playtime we had growing up and wished !y kids had.
I am a child of the 70's and 80's and this really brought me back to that. Although I became a teen in the 90's i still had this upbringing to a point and it's funny how much we really all had the same memories of little things and how much has changed. I have two adult kids now and we all enjoy the tech of today but this made me wish for the outside playtime we had growing up and wished !y kids had.
February 26, 2021
His childhood was in Pittsburgh; mine was in Morganfield KY. City vs. small town but so many of the things Tom did as a kid was what Mark (twin) and I did, from our freedom created by riding bikes, to the drive in to staying out all day and coming home to eat, then back out again. He compares and contrasts that time to the current, whereby kids do things with their parents either side-by-side or on organized playdates. Good simple book of a
February 20, 2017
A great compilation of stories of the author of his Pittsburgh suburb youth in the 70's. Some very touching. The authors feelings of days, people and pets of his past life are told in such a way as to really make you feel along side of him. A very good story teller. Really was a great read about a time before the internet, smart phones and where umbrella parenting was yet to be discovered.
November 8, 2018
Great Memories Revisited!
Being of the same age and era as the Author, his stories of growing up in the 60’s and 70’s brought back a flood of great memories. It’s nice to know that others survived a youth willingly spent out of doors, with little visible adult supervision and no helmets!
Being of the same age and era as the Author, his stories of growing up in the 60’s and 70’s brought back a flood of great memories. It’s nice to know that others survived a youth willingly spent out of doors, with little visible adult supervision and no helmets!
May 27, 2023
Having grown up in the 70's-80's myself (and not far from where Purcell grew up), this was a wonderful bit of nostalgia; playing outside until the street lights came on, summer trips to Kennywood, drive-in movies,, and those plastic toboggans!
Well worth the reading time!
*PoP sugar prompt challenge
#21 - set in decade you were born
Well worth the reading time!
*PoP sugar prompt challenge
#21 - set in decade you were born
August 14, 2019
Since I'm the same age as the author, I hoped for more about his 1970s childhood that would be a fun memory of my own childhood. Instead it was repetitive, not at all like my childhood, and included too many slams about how current-day childhood pales in comparison.
August 24, 2019
Primarily for an American audience
Being a Brit some of this book went over my head, but being a 70's kid I enjoyed the same freedom and fun, all be it British style. A nice trail back in time.
Being a Brit some of this book went over my head, but being a 70's kid I enjoyed the same freedom and fun, all be it British style. A nice trail back in time.
June 6, 2017
Hilarious and hit home!
February 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Brought back memories of childhood times. Sweet little snippets of time.
May 13, 2018
Great read
Took me back to childhood days. Laugh out loud time and at times it brought tears. Highly recommended. A great read
Took me back to childhood days. Laugh out loud time and at times it brought tears. Highly recommended. A great read
August 2, 2018
I enjoyed his reminiscing, reminded me of some of what we did. America seemed to have a few differences versus South Africa.
March 7, 2019
Survival of the fittest?
So many things to worry about now - kidnappings, scraped knees, playing outside. I miss those times. X x x
So many things to worry about now - kidnappings, scraped knees, playing outside. I miss those times. X x x
April 14, 2019
Funny
Very funny book laughed most of the way through and it brought back some great memories read it in one sitting
Very funny book laughed most of the way through and it brought back some great memories read it in one sitting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews