Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Silverstein & me: A Memoir (Closed)

Silverstein & me: A Memoir
by Marv Gold
Published June 2009

Is this the Silverstein so many have come to know and love? Yes, because it presents his human and humorous side, and goes beyond, into the many hurdles he confronted. Told as a fast-paced narrative, it unveils a spectrum of characters. As a memoir filled with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights, it is the first and only close look at the legend and the person.



In this memoir, written by his childhood friend Marv Gold, readers get the chance to look beyond the infamous beard and witty humor of this exceptional talent. Shel Silverstein was an author, poet, cartoonist and songwriter most noted for his work with Playboy and childhood classics like, The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends. Not quite the tell-all book that some fans must certainly crave, it does deliver on it's promise to fill-in-the-blanks for an artist who was loved by many but refused public appearances and press interviews.

The book is funny, sometimes campy and nearly every page includes a drawing from his vast body or work. There is a great deal of candor with respect to the writer's observations of Silverstein, from his childhood through his Playboy era and his death in 1999. 

Wild times. Timeless art. A lifetime of ink.

Whether you're a fan of his Playboy cartoons, read A Light In the Attic a hundred times or like to sip whiskey while singing along to A Boy Named Sue, you're sure to be entertained by this memoir.

"Listen to the mustn'ts child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the wont's. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me ... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."
-- Shel Silverstein

WIN IT!
Thanks to Author Marketing Experts, Inc., I have one copy of Silverstein & me: A Memoir to give away to one lucky reader.

Main Entry
  • Leave a comment and tell me your favorite childhood book.
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37 comments:

RR said...

The Giving Tree actually ranks really high on my list of childhood favorites. That book still makes me cry. My other favorite was (is!) Alice in Wonderland.

demmi said...

Heidi was one of my favorites con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Madeline said...

Anne of Green Gables was my favorite.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, this would be awesome. I *love* Shel Silvertein. Where the Sidewalk Ends has always been a favorite of mine, and I also love Where the Sidewalk Ends. Thanks!

shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I also follow your blog.

shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

The Dreamer said...

YAY! I ADORE Shel Silverstein. I've always loved A Light In The Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends and Falling Up. My boss even gave me The Giving Tree last christmas when I was pregnant. :) Fingers crossed I win!

addeviant006 at gmail dot com

Katrina said...

I really loved all the curious george books.

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I loved the story of Heidi. Thanks!

Ang said...

"The Giving Tree" and "Where The Wild Things Are" are the two absolute favorites at my house.

justanarmywife09 AT gmail DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

This sounds really interesting. I loved The Giving Tree like the others seem to say, but I grew up on the Harry Potter books. I also loved Amelia Bedelia and The Rainbow Fish.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Unknown said...

Where The Wild Things Are - was and is my favorite childhood book.
jswandrn @ gmail.com

Anonymous said...

The Giving Tree! My principal gave me a copy when I was in kindergarten. It helped start a life long love of books.
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com

K. Rock said...

I really liked all of the Berenstein Bears books.

Elsie said...

"The Cat in the Hat Comes Back", and it always brought a smile back to me, and later to my son...!

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

Alice H said...

I loved Corduroy growing up, by Dan Freeman - thanks! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I follow your blog! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i am now following.

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

chromiumman said...

the wonderful wizard of oz

Sheila Hickmon said...

My favorite childhood book is Q Pootle 5! Thanks!

hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com

Sheila Hickmon said...

I follow your blog now! mom2anutball

hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

When I was a child, I always liked the Amelia Bedelia & Encyclopedia Brown books! But I came to adore Shel Silverstein as an adult. :)

jaylee33 at gmail dot com

Andria said...

James and the Giant Peach was my favorite book when I was younger

Wehaf said...

I love "The Perilous Gard" - I still reread it every few years!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

The Giving Tree is my number one and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a very close second.

one18fifteen@aol.com

Melanie Montgomery said...

Where the Sidewalk Ends was actually my favorite.
It was so torn up and battered because I carried it everywhere with me.


clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

"Charlotte's Web"

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - My favorite childhood book was Mary Norton's The Borrowers. These "borrowers" were very tiny and lived under the floorboards and stole all the things we couldn't find (like needles and thread spools) and used them themselves as furniture and a means to survive!

Carol EL said...

Chitty,Chitty,Bang,Bang was a favorite of mine. jelly15301@gmail.com

Carol EL said...

Follower. jelly15301@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite childhood book was Black Beauty. Thanks for the great giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail.Com

Island Girl said...

I loved Dr. Seuss books when I was a young girl...my favorite was Green Eggs and Ham.
mainlandmama at gmail dot com

Lisa R said...

Green eggs and ham

Renee said...

One of my favorites was "Where the Red Fern Grows." I can't tell you how many times I read that book while I was growing up!

susansmoaks said...

i loved a cranberry thanksgiving when i was little

tina reynolds said...

Where the sidewalk ends was always my favorite. I love reading it to my kids thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

Brooke said...

My favorite book I don't remember the title but it was a prose and poetry book... I read it so much the cover fell off and I put it back on... Then I made a cover to protect it... loved it... Once I was older I took to Where the Sidewalk Ends...

lilyk said...

My favorite childhood book was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.