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Mysteries of my Father
A son comes of age in a fiercely political world
""Thomas Fleming gives us an unforgettable story about an immigrant family--his family--as it struggles to find a place in the American century. He shares with us the dreams and heartaches of his parents, and, in the end, he reminds us of the mysterious and forgiving power of love.""
--Terry Golway, author of The Irish in America
""A truly moving story of a lifelong duel between father and son, Mysteries of My Father also vibrates with the great good humor that grows out of ward politics, and pulses with the heartfelt drama of a family just getting by. There were some bad times in the Fleming family story, but Tom Fleming prevails to the good times, and the best time is left to the reader. What a wonderful time I had reading this book.""
--Dennis Smith, author of the Report from Engine Co. 82 and Report from Ground Zero
""A well-written, fascinating political history.""
--Margaret Truman, author of Murder at Union Station
""With a historian's fidelity and a poet's empathy, Tom Fleming has created a textured study of three generations of Irish-Americans, whose clashing spiritual values inform their integration into New Jersey's social and political hierarchy. Mysteries of My Father is an American classic achieved by a master storyteller's talents for exploring the tensions and bonds between a father and his sons. Among the literary wonders of this brisk and moving memoir is the father's emergence as a seminal American character--brusque and pragmatic, yet capable of expected tenderness to his sons.""
--Sidney Offit, author of Memoir of the Bookie's Son
""If you care about what it means to be an Irish-American, or about New Jersey political history, or about the relationships between fathers and sons, or about wonderful writing, run--don't walk--out to buy Tom Fleming's Mysteries of My Father.""
--Nick Acocella, publisher of Politifax
""Thomas Fleming gives us an unforgettable story about an immigrant family--his family--as it struggles to find a place in the American century. He shares with us the dreams and heartaches of his parents, and, in the end, he reminds us of the mysterious and forgiving power of love.""
--Terry Golway, author of The Irish in America
""A truly moving story of a lifelong duel between father and son, Mysteries of My Father also vibrates with the great good humor that grows out of ward politics, and pulses with the heartfelt drama of a family just getting by. There were some bad times in the Fleming family story, but Tom Fleming prevails to the good times, and the best time is left to the reader. What a wonderful time I had reading this book.""
--Dennis Smith, author of the Report from Engine Co. 82 and Report from Ground Zero
""A well-written, fascinating political history.""
--Margaret Truman, author of Murder at Union Station
""With a historian's fidelity and a poet's empathy, Tom Fleming has created a textured study of three generations of Irish-Americans, whose clashing spiritual values inform their integration into New Jersey's social and political hierarchy. Mysteries of My Father is an American classic achieved by a master storyteller's talents for exploring the tensions and bonds between a father and his sons. Among the literary wonders of this brisk and moving memoir is the father's emergence as a seminal American character--brusque and pragmatic, yet capable of expected tenderness to his sons.""
--Sidney Offit, author of Memoir of the Bookie's Son
""If you care about what it means to be an Irish-American, or about New Jersey political history, or about the relationships between fathers and sons, or about wonderful writing, run--don't walk--out to buy Tom Fleming's Mysteries of My Father.""
--Nick Acocella, publisher of Politifax
341 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fleming
127 books148 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2017
This guy is a historian, of course, because there was so much history in this book. I grew up in New York, in a household which, though not Irish, did not ignore politics. Many, many things became clearer to me while reading this memoir. Anybody wishing for the good old days when politics wasn't so dirty - well, when was that?
June 23, 2016
Thomas J. Fleming has written quite a few books on history, particularly the history of the American War for Independence, and historical fiction. This book, however, is an autobiography focusing upon his parents, the Irish-American experience, and New Jersey Democrat machine politics. To say it directly: Fleming can't help but write history no matter what the story is that he is telling.
He grew up during the Great Depression in New Jersey. His experience was that of a Catholic boy who attended Catholic schools and mass. His family was not just strongly Democrat, but his father worked for the political machine in Jersey City.
His father, Teddy Fleming, Sr., grew up tough. He was a boxer, a street fighter, a soldier in World War I, a fellow who graduated with honors from the proverbial school of hard knocks. His wife, however, was a more cultured and educated woman. Both were Irish and Catholic, however, she resented the lower class, often crass and unmannered ways of her husband and many of his cronies.
They really were a good match in terms of each providing what the other needed. But this was not a marriage made in heaven. At least while they were living, it was usually tumultous.
Young Thomas Fleming was a bright student and a reader. He was also an observer, but like most of us, he saw things and learned things from his parents that it took time to sort out and understand.
This book, like all good autobiographies, is a testimony to the search and discovery, usually born of lots of reflection, that make us who we are.
Even though there was a naval officer who wanted to see Fleming make a career in the navy and his dad wanted him to be a lawyer, Fleming decided that he wanted to become a writer. With 50 or more books to his credit (and I want them all!), he more than succeeded.
This is quite a good story.
He grew up during the Great Depression in New Jersey. His experience was that of a Catholic boy who attended Catholic schools and mass. His family was not just strongly Democrat, but his father worked for the political machine in Jersey City.
His father, Teddy Fleming, Sr., grew up tough. He was a boxer, a street fighter, a soldier in World War I, a fellow who graduated with honors from the proverbial school of hard knocks. His wife, however, was a more cultured and educated woman. Both were Irish and Catholic, however, she resented the lower class, often crass and unmannered ways of her husband and many of his cronies.
They really were a good match in terms of each providing what the other needed. But this was not a marriage made in heaven. At least while they were living, it was usually tumultous.
Young Thomas Fleming was a bright student and a reader. He was also an observer, but like most of us, he saw things and learned things from his parents that it took time to sort out and understand.
This book, like all good autobiographies, is a testimony to the search and discovery, usually born of lots of reflection, that make us who we are.
Even though there was a naval officer who wanted to see Fleming make a career in the navy and his dad wanted him to be a lawyer, Fleming decided that he wanted to become a writer. With 50 or more books to his credit (and I want them all!), he more than succeeded.
This is quite a good story.
March 1, 2015
Having grown up in Jersey City hearing many stories of the legendary Hague, it was great getting this inside look at the storied Machine. By including the personal family story alongside the political history, adds to the understanding the power that the machine had over the lives of those involved.
March 23, 2011
Interesting writing style - parts read like a novel, others like a text explaining the ward politics in NJ. Enjoyed the life stories of Teddy and Thomas Fleming.
September 13, 2011
There are plenty of fair weather friends
You can find them hereabouts
But here's to the friend who will stick by me
When he knows I'm "down and out."
You can find them hereabouts
But here's to the friend who will stick by me
When he knows I'm "down and out."
May 12, 2013
I remember liking this book, as I do the charming Mr. Fleming. However, it seemed a rather long book to plow through to arrive at the denouement.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews