You Don't Have to be Famous to Write a Memoir

You Don't Have to Be Famous is the story of a "boomer" who grew up (kind of) Jewish, was in the Boy Scouts, had typical adolescent and college experiences, and went to Brazil where he taught English in a city located right in the heart of the Amazon Rain Forest. You Don't Have to Be Famous is a light-hearted mix of autobiography, quirky fun facts, and humorous quotes. In it you will encounter Famous People (Marilyn Monroe); Historic Events (the assassination of President Kennedy, ); Books (the Year of Living Biblically, ); Songs (Dancing Queen); Poems (Too Have and Too Old); Movies (Francis the Talking Mule); TV Shows (Father Knows Best); Humorous Quotes (hard work never hurt anybody but why take a chance); Fads (streaking); Lists (1960s slang); and Fun Facts (the longest hug lasted 36 hours and 36 minutes ). There are stories about a "merry" cemetery in Romania; Ellis Island and what one immigrant said; treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany; an unusual Vietnam War protest; learning Portuguese and Japanese; and living in Brazil and Brazilian culture.

While the emphasis is on humor, there are also serious reflections on regrets, gratitude, mistakes, amends, apologies, and forgiveness. It ends with twenty-five pieces of "boomer advice."