Coming soon… NINE DECADES: NINE LIVES
A life in pieces
“Nine Decades: Nine Lives, as the title suggests, covers the stories of Maxwell Allenby (Curley) Curvin over the ninety years of his life. It also seemed to be a long time in the writing.
For, even as a teenager listening to my dad tell another animated story, I’d think, I should be writing these down. But I waited too long to find out all of the details. My dad was too old and some of the stories too painful to tell when I really got serious about writing it and all I had was a few notes I had scribbled down.
Over the years as people got a laugh out of many of his yarns and would pass the stories onto others because they found them funny and unique, I’d think of him as a great storyteller. Dad’s stories are even being passed on by his grandchildren and their friends. As Journalist and past Peterborough Examiner Editor, Ed Arnold, mentions in a quote he was so kind and generous to give me, we need to write down history for future readers…
Quote from Ed Arnold
“People with ideas for books should take the time to research and write them, especially memoirs or non-fiction ones so history will be retained in a bound format.
She tells the story through his eyes in an imaginative, raw, down to earth format that not only includes his story but of the people and places around us which will bring back many memories for those who lived those times.
Connie McCracken has taken the time to do this in a book about her father, Maxwell Curvin, best known among local people as ‘Curley’.
Connie has done an admirable job of gathering, researching and putting forth the information for Peterborough and area readers to enjoy while giving younger people a peek into the picture of past lives and a reminder to all of us how times have changed, oh, how times have changed.”
Now, all of the stories in this book are not just unique or funny, no siree. Curley’s life would hold many a dangerous time, life-changing moments and struggles, which many may relate to.
From accidents in model T Fords, the cops saying they’d bust up his (one arm bandits) slot machines if he didn’t bring them in off location, to all of the other unique jobs he did to make a buck. From, as one chapter title suggests, “Diggin’ up Skunks and Pickin’ Pigeons,” to being shot in a hunting accident and so many more.
wall boxes, and various jukeboxes over the years!
Curley’s stories will be of interest to those who lived them, played his pinball and novelty games, and listened to his jukeboxes and background music. They will also interest anyone who’d like a unique look into this lifestyle of the past.
As Dad got older – meaning in his case, into his 90s and slowing down – I’d get him large cloth bags of library books, trying to find him something unique to read. He kept saying they were all the same story – just different characters and locations.
That is what really made me think a book about Dad’s life would be interesting. I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the book when taking a look at his life story. I think, had he not lived it, Dad would have found it unique and entertaining. I did my best to convey and capture what everyone recognized in Curley’s words and mannerisms which he added to his stories.
It seems, looking back if he was running in a story, his knees would almost come up to his chin, on his 6’2” height while he mimicked the tale. Although lots of his stories were not known by many, it is my hope that Dad will be proud I took the time to write them down – both happy and sad.
Thought provoking, sometimes dangerous, and for a good laugh, I know this will be a book all will find something of which to relate!
Kindle Launch Information
The Kindle version of “Nine Decades: Nine Lives” will launch on Sept 5th by my editor & publisher, Peggy Lee Hanson, Courageous Women Publications. http://peggyleehanson.com Please visit https://conniemccracken.com/book/ for more information when the book becomes available, first on Amazon Kindle. For only a dollar you can enjoy and reflect on Curley Curvin’s unique stories, told in his voice. And remember, you don’t have to own a Kindle Reader to read the book. Simply download the Kindle app on your computer, tablet or phone.
Softcover books will be available in October.
Connie (Curvin) McCracken
NOTE: *PLEASE PURCHASE ON SEPT 5 LAUNCH DATE TO HELP BOOST READER RATING! ALSO, PLEASE SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS LAUNCH AND POSSIBLY GIVE A COPY AS A GIFT TO SOMEONE WHO WOULD ALSO LOVE TO READ ABOUT THESE STORIES. THANK YOU.
With dad’s workshop in our backyard, I was lucky to grow up being able to play many of the games in for repair and cleaning for the next location.
