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Generational Lessons from Dad
One cannot tell the story of Tony Baleno without a nod to the generations that preceded him and those that followed. In Generational Lessons from Dad, we're invited to explore all that has formed Tony Baleno the man, from the immigrant Italian family that brought the Baleno name to America, to the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and eventually children and grandchildren that together help tell this man's remarkable story. Marked by hard work and an inimitable commitment to family—by both tremendous success and painful personal loss—Tony's is the story of a family built on values and ethic passed down through generations.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 4, 2021
We open to the first chapter, couldn’t have better named if I say so myself titled “Wake Up Call.” Honestly when something like this happens…. it’s exactly this, it’s a “Wake Up Call.” It’s that Call we all dread especially when we are not close by or a drive away and can’t be there in that exact moment. Hoping, wishing, pleading, if things could be different. Hoping to turn back the hands of time. In any event as much as we know we can’t we still find ourselves doing exactly that, hoping, wishing, pleading for anything else.
We first meet the author when he is receiving the phone call that everyone dreads at some point in their life once you become an adult and flips your world upside down. As he states “To this day, I cannot recall who phoned me that July morning.” And continues “ I know it was either my younger brother Michael or my mother. The only recollection I have is hearing that my dad had a stroke and was being rushed to Pittsburgh.” At this point Tony is on a business trip, in Atlanta, finding out his father suffered what appeared to be a stroke. As soon as he was off the phone, he “started negotiating with god. [He] probably hadn’t prayed for over 10 years. [Still, he found himself] begging for help.” Well, more like Tony was “pleading with God that, if life had to be taken [it should be his] rather than his dad’s.” You can only imagine the shock to him and his family, a man as Brian the author and son of Tony Baleno puts it his father looked in peak physical health, he looked like he was in his thirties and spent days at a gym which came from years of working construction. But he finds himself in negotiations with God again when he heard what would be happening next. What happens next would bring the family and Brian closer and found himself even closer to his dad after the events that unfolded that July. Regrets are typical but one thing about Tony Baleno, he not just a hardworking and caring father but someone who “seizes opportunities and lives a regret-free life.” This is something he learned from his own parents, Italian immigrants and Brian learned from his father Tony.
Amidst a health crisis brought a family that was close and kept in touch even closer. Learning along the way the hardships endure as a family as a whole, would shape them and make them stronger. It would create a bond to be proud of. This is not just a story about Brian Baleno, this is a story of generations, this a story of an immigrant family, a story of learning and lessons passed from generation to generation. This a story of core values were passed down line, instilled the importance of family values and running a family business, importance of friendships, work ethics, education and raising one of your own and dealing with hardships. This book teaches and encompasses core values of strength, perseverance, family, friends, and the valuable lessons passed down from generation to generation. One thing the boys all agreed upon is how their father never applied pressure or expectations on them which in their eyes allowed them to never fail him. This book in honorable memory of his father and those who came before.
This is a excellent read capturing nostalgia and love of family. This a book the whole family can enjoy and along the way take something away from the Baleno family. Brian Baleno was able to create a beautifully written tribute to his father and those who came before. It is well written and keeps you wanting to read more.
We first meet the author when he is receiving the phone call that everyone dreads at some point in their life once you become an adult and flips your world upside down. As he states “To this day, I cannot recall who phoned me that July morning.” And continues “ I know it was either my younger brother Michael or my mother. The only recollection I have is hearing that my dad had a stroke and was being rushed to Pittsburgh.” At this point Tony is on a business trip, in Atlanta, finding out his father suffered what appeared to be a stroke. As soon as he was off the phone, he “started negotiating with god. [He] probably hadn’t prayed for over 10 years. [Still, he found himself] begging for help.” Well, more like Tony was “pleading with God that, if life had to be taken [it should be his] rather than his dad’s.” You can only imagine the shock to him and his family, a man as Brian the author and son of Tony Baleno puts it his father looked in peak physical health, he looked like he was in his thirties and spent days at a gym which came from years of working construction. But he finds himself in negotiations with God again when he heard what would be happening next. What happens next would bring the family and Brian closer and found himself even closer to his dad after the events that unfolded that July. Regrets are typical but one thing about Tony Baleno, he not just a hardworking and caring father but someone who “seizes opportunities and lives a regret-free life.” This is something he learned from his own parents, Italian immigrants and Brian learned from his father Tony.
Amidst a health crisis brought a family that was close and kept in touch even closer. Learning along the way the hardships endure as a family as a whole, would shape them and make them stronger. It would create a bond to be proud of. This is not just a story about Brian Baleno, this is a story of generations, this a story of an immigrant family, a story of learning and lessons passed from generation to generation. This a story of core values were passed down line, instilled the importance of family values and running a family business, importance of friendships, work ethics, education and raising one of your own and dealing with hardships. This book teaches and encompasses core values of strength, perseverance, family, friends, and the valuable lessons passed down from generation to generation. One thing the boys all agreed upon is how their father never applied pressure or expectations on them which in their eyes allowed them to never fail him. This book in honorable memory of his father and those who came before.
This is a excellent read capturing nostalgia and love of family. This a book the whole family can enjoy and along the way take something away from the Baleno family. Brian Baleno was able to create a beautifully written tribute to his father and those who came before. It is well written and keeps you wanting to read more.
July 24, 2021
Generational Lessons from Dad
By Brian Baleno
2021
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 3 stars
The first chapter of this personal family history begins with a cell phone ringing while the author
Brian is on a business trip in Chicago.
“To this day, I cannot recall who phoned me that July morning.
I know it was either my younger brother Michael or my mother. The only recollection I have is hearing the news that my dad had a stroke and was being rushed to a hospital in Pittsburgh.”
Both he, who was 27 at the time, and his brother Michael, the second oldest, in Seneca Falls
learned of the stroke by phone. The rest of the family, spanning in age from 9 to 21 years,
included Steve and Kim, who were in college, and Katie and Matty who were living at home in
Pittsburg with Mom and Dad.
“The perspective of those at Baleno family home in Pittsburgh was very different. They were living at home. They experienced Dad’s stroke and subsequent seizure firsthand.”
In this chapter readers meet Tony Baleno from the perspective of his children at the time when
his stroke caused the uncovering of a tumor that required brain surgery.
In subsequent chapters the author shares the family history throughout the generations, complete with old photographs to punctuate the story. The author tells the history by recounting the lives of the family members, beginning with his grandparents, to his parents’ story, to his generation, adding piece by piece the lessons they passed on. Hard work and commitment to family define this Italian American family.
“Transferring these lessons from one generation to the next, Dad has combined the core principles of work ethic, education, and discipline with values such as humility and ethics.”
This first-person account moves a bit slowly in parts due to the telling rather than showing writing style, but it has much to offer. Readers will find the author talking to them to share his family history, rather than witnessing it for themselves, but readers who spend the time to absorb all the author offers from what he has learned, will find inspiration in the telling of it. Our society, especially now, can use the reminder of aspiring to and of practicing the core principles and values the Baleno family history embodies.
https://amzn.to/2Z8MdME
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist, author, and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service and copyediting of unpublished manuscripts. www.AngieMangino.com
By Brian Baleno
2021
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 3 stars
The first chapter of this personal family history begins with a cell phone ringing while the author
Brian is on a business trip in Chicago.
“To this day, I cannot recall who phoned me that July morning.
I know it was either my younger brother Michael or my mother. The only recollection I have is hearing the news that my dad had a stroke and was being rushed to a hospital in Pittsburgh.”
Both he, who was 27 at the time, and his brother Michael, the second oldest, in Seneca Falls
learned of the stroke by phone. The rest of the family, spanning in age from 9 to 21 years,
included Steve and Kim, who were in college, and Katie and Matty who were living at home in
Pittsburg with Mom and Dad.
“The perspective of those at Baleno family home in Pittsburgh was very different. They were living at home. They experienced Dad’s stroke and subsequent seizure firsthand.”
In this chapter readers meet Tony Baleno from the perspective of his children at the time when
his stroke caused the uncovering of a tumor that required brain surgery.
In subsequent chapters the author shares the family history throughout the generations, complete with old photographs to punctuate the story. The author tells the history by recounting the lives of the family members, beginning with his grandparents, to his parents’ story, to his generation, adding piece by piece the lessons they passed on. Hard work and commitment to family define this Italian American family.
“Transferring these lessons from one generation to the next, Dad has combined the core principles of work ethic, education, and discipline with values such as humility and ethics.”
This first-person account moves a bit slowly in parts due to the telling rather than showing writing style, but it has much to offer. Readers will find the author talking to them to share his family history, rather than witnessing it for themselves, but readers who spend the time to absorb all the author offers from what he has learned, will find inspiration in the telling of it. Our society, especially now, can use the reminder of aspiring to and of practicing the core principles and values the Baleno family history embodies.
https://amzn.to/2Z8MdME
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist, author, and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service and copyediting of unpublished manuscripts. www.AngieMangino.com
May 19, 2022
A good solid Italian family the Balenos. As you may have guessed, they are from Italy. As far back as anyone can remember, this family has taught the generation next in line a work ethic like you wouldn't believe. They taught them how to do things so eventually they could handle it on their own. Needless to say, this is a very close family.
I enjoyed this book. This is the way most families should be. The book is interesting, heart wrenching and beautiful. The people in the book come in all different shapes and sizes. One thing to keep in mind, is the love and respect these people have for one another. I was amazed at the way these people just jumped in to teach the young ones what they need to know to be a success. You will enjoy this book as well. Get your copy now!
I didn't find any issues.
I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because I wasn't sure why the author began the book the way he did. The author provided a copy of the book but I made the decision to review it.
I enjoyed this book. This is the way most families should be. The book is interesting, heart wrenching and beautiful. The people in the book come in all different shapes and sizes. One thing to keep in mind, is the love and respect these people have for one another. I was amazed at the way these people just jumped in to teach the young ones what they need to know to be a success. You will enjoy this book as well. Get your copy now!
I didn't find any issues.
I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because I wasn't sure why the author began the book the way he did. The author provided a copy of the book but I made the decision to review it.
March 25, 2021
The story of a 3 generational Italian family.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews