Hello Cleveland: Things You Should Know about the Most Unique City in the World

by Nick Perry, Jason Look (Illustrator)

Hello Cleveland unlocks the hidden, larger-than life history and culture of Cleveland, Ohio, possibly the country's most misunderstood city. Locals, visitors, transplants, and people--who moved away as soon as they could--will gain a well-rounded picture of the city's passionate pursuits, dark corners, dubious claims to fame, and disarmingly friendly culture. Nick Perry, who grew up in Cleveland and then moved back as an adult, invites you to join him in taking a loving, brutally honest look under the hood. Develop an appreciation for local celebrities like Devo, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Lil' John and Big Chuck, and Dick Goddard the weather guy. Marvel at landmarks like the Great Lakes, the Metroparks, and the world's largest outdoor chandelier. There are plenty of downsides and none are sugarcoated. You'll discover why Cleveland is the reason for the creation of the Environmental Protection Act and how it's largely to blame for the widespread adoption of suburban city planning. But you can still find a heartwarming pride in rooting for sports teams that seem cursed to lose every championship. As the city's unofficial slogan says, "You've got to be tough," but there's a lot to love--especially when the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra wanders into the dive bar you're sitting in and starts to play an impromptu concert.

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 12, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Nick Perry spent his childhood in Dorset, out in the countryside daydreaming most of the time. He was educated at Parkstone Sea Training School before leaving for London where he worked for ATV Television. He travelled around Europe moving from job to job until he came into money. On impulse he bought a hill farm in North Wales, some experiences of which form the backdrop to Peaks and Troughs. He lives with his wife Arabella in the Wiltshire countryside where he spends his time writing, walking and listening to classical music.

Reviews

[kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sounds about white, I guess.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jittery and hilarious compendium of Cleveland culture and facts. This is not a historical treatise setting out a series of names and dates, this is a wildly idiosyncratic fever dream / window into life in and around Cleveland that comes closer to fully capturing the extremely weird/disappointing character of the city than anything else I've read.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like you went to a dive bar on a Tuesday night and asked the guy next to you what he likes about Cleveland not realizing he hasn't been sober since Saturday. Just a guy telling you he loves Cleveland then complaining about it for 120 pages. But entertaining.

I felt personally victimized by the line "not too many people graduate art school and say, I'm going to move to Cleveland!"

[Lowell Ricketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a neat little book to give me a unique insight into what Cleveland is all about. I thought Perry's narration was hilarious and definitely a sharp departure from your usual guide book! I've learned such an eclectic group of facts about the city, I can't wait to bring them up with coworkers from Cleveland!

[Reno Tarquinio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love letter to Cleveland that genuinely explains how it is so weird as a city and yet somehow the greatest place on earth. I’ve lived in Cleveland for 7 years and I have come to many similar conclusions to those presented in this book, so it must be a ummm cinema verité but a book… biblio verité maybe

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can always come back.”
And honestly I dare you not to.
This was fun. A nice zip through a lot of the things that make this place so weird.
I honestly enjoyed the lack of sports.
Signed,
someone born and raised here, who left for a decade and came back

[Elizabeth Yourkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! I learned a few new things about the history of and places I’d like to visit the next time I’m in Cleveland!

[Emily Polcyn]

this was fun and captured the Cleveland vibe very well + I learned a few things about the area which is cool

[Cordelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's friendly and funny and makes me want to visit Cleveland again!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe the most confirmation bias book ever, but i had a good time

[Jeff J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anecdotal and somewhat off-putting.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be biased as Nick is my cousin, but I loved this book. On my recent trip to Cleveland, it gave so much useful info, with characteristic charm and humour!

[ERIKA SHINN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and funny book that does a great job of explaining Cleveland through the experience of a resident. So cool!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a life-long Clevelander, I found this entirely entertaining and nostalgic, but not entirely accurate.