Looking Up at the World: Growing up Greek in New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

by Nicholas C. Kourabas

A memoir about Nick Kourabas', aka "Nicky", first 18 years of life. We follow young Nicky as he ventures from the comfort of his loving family and home into encounters with the larger, sometimes scary, funny and confounding world. Follow him through Greek School, the Greek Orthodox church, playing New York City street games, working in his dad's business, dealing with a sudden hospitalization at almost 10-years-old, and many other events both large and small. Watch as Nick finds his stride as he enters late adolescence. Nick tells of his journey through his sexual awakening and overhearing his uncle talk about who he might become and how to make the most of those experiences. These stories unfold against the backdrop of some major historical events, such as the assassination of JFK and the arrival of The Beatles. Nick battles his own thoughts and prejudices as we watch him learn about the large world before him and eventually reach "eye level" with it.

248 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2025