The o'Donnells of Philadelphia A Period Swiftly Fading from Memory 1918-1945 |
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Author:
| Smith, James Francis |
Series title: | The Irish-American Story Ser. |
ISBN: | 978-1-4921-2672-0 |
Publication Date: | Aug 2013 |
Publisher: | CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
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Book Format: | Paperback |
List Price: | USD $18.99 |
Book Description:
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Books are usually plot or character driven. Since plots are preordained in narrative-history, readers have the opportunity to chose and follow specific characters. The O'Donnells of Philadelphia offers a variety:Hard-of-Hearing, Rory O'Donnell tells his family's story and plays a significant role as the protector of his rascal brother, Liam.Liam is the wisenheimer (a real smart ass) that's the bane of every teacher including those devoted nuns who taught in Philadelphia's parochial...
More DescriptionBooks are usually plot or character driven. Since plots are preordained in narrative-history, readers have the opportunity to chose and follow specific characters. The O'Donnells of Philadelphia offers a variety:Hard-of-Hearing, Rory O'Donnell tells his family's story and plays a significant role as the protector of his rascal brother, Liam.Liam is the wisenheimer (a real smart ass) that's the bane of every teacher including those devoted nuns who taught in Philadelphia's parochial schools.Jeannie McAllister, next-door-neighbor, daughter of a mousey mother and drunken father, who's raped and impregnated by a couple of squids.TJP Barr, a humorous reporter for the now defunct Philadelphia Bulletin, who turns serious about the Pacific Campaign when Uncle Sam drafts him.Lord Alex Wellbourne, a reporter for the London Times, who befriended Matt O'Donnell when they met during WWI. Wellbourne brings the European war to the pages of this book, including Patton's march across the continent.The O'Donnell family captures the essence of life on industrial Philadelphia's streets, the Catholic Church's dominance, as well as their father's experience in WWI and their own participation in the Army, Navy, and Marines during WWII.The story of those times, yes there is a story, takes the reader through The Influenza Epidemic, Prohibition, The Great Depression, the remnants of mustard gas from WWI, the rise of Hitler, Churchill, FDR, the defense of England, North Africa, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, Stalingrad & Leningrad, war-time rationing, on through the German slaughter of Warsaw's Jews, how Harry Truman became the 33rd President and much much more. This is likely the most complete history you will ever read, written in a style that'll hold your interest from the opening sentence.