Searching for Alpha Centauri: A Boyhood Memoir

by Gary Spetz

Three complaisant kids, two stormy parents, one anxious French poodle, too many U-haul trailers, and the potholed road of the early 1960s.

Searching for Alpha Centauri: A Boyhood Memoir (formerly titled Easy Hearts) is American Public Television artist Gary Spetz's absorbing tale of living a nomadic life with an impetuous mother, a discontent casino-security-guard step-father, a kid-loathing French poodle, and two older, all-too-often unpleasant, siblings -- during the turbulent early 1960s.

The artist/author paints his experience with both humor and sensitivity, adeptly portraying his ever moving landscape. Effectively blended into Searching for Alpha Centauri's backdrop is the author's keen attention to the world events unfolding around him. These were the days of an impending nuclear war, an exciting new space race, an escalating conflict in Vietnam, a rising civil rights movement, the invasion of Beatlemania, and the shocking assassination of a President. To the author, this mix of colorful and dark days was, indeed, "the best of times" and "the worst of times."

Searching for Alpha Centauri, though often hilarious, is a beautifully rendered story of innocence, edification, intrigue, adventure, and endurance.

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2015

About the author

As a “signature member” of the National Watercolor Society, author/artist Gary Spetz has hosted, scripted, filmed, and co-produced—with his wife, Marlene—three painting/travel series (111 episodes) for Public Television (distributed via American Public Television): Painting Wild Places, Watercolor Quest, and Color World.

His artwork has also been depicted in various art publications, including Watercolor, Artists, Watercolor Magic, Searching For The Artist Within, and Art From The Parks. And his paintings have been included in the “Top 100” of the National Park Academy of the Arts.

Gary and his wife live in Northwest Montana, where—when not trying to outsmart a trout—he continues to write and paint.

Reviews

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I love most about memoirs is that each one gives me a clear view of a time before I was alive. This is the first time I've ventured into the 1960's and what a wild, enjoyable ride it was!

I enjoyed the storytelling ability of Mr. Spetz and the clear honesty of a boy's journey through childhood.

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir captures dramatic episodes in the life of young Gary growing up in a tumultuous family environment during the 1960s, led by his mother who has an explosive relationship with Gary's stepfather. Through numerous moves around the country, the family remains in search of happiness and prosperity, which eludes them over and over again. Each environment presents an opportunity for Gary to find an adventure, which he chronicles with vivid descriptions.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.

Memoirs are always hard for me to rate and review. To me there really is no way to rate someones life/memories. One of my favorite things about this genre of book is that you get to see into the mind of someone else and see their way of thinking. It was nice to go back to the 60s. A good read at times I will admit I got a little bored but worth the read.

[Releanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read up to page 250, but now I gave up.
I really enjoyed the first 150 or so pages but then it got more and more repetitive and for me rather boring.

[Alison]

kindle 326 (memoir)