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Mr. Kates, I grew up with Kenny Hand and I was one of the first people to purchase his book. Although I am thankful you wrote an article about his book "You Can't Take the Bronx Out of My Dad" I feel I must respond to your misleading article. I assume you read the whole book, however, I feel you missed the main point of the book. Yes, he does talk about certain things which were a reality in the Bronx during the 1970's, like drinking, drug, and crime - but his book was mostly about the tight nit community which was Kingsbridge during this time. He talked about the hot summer nights when the streets were filled with kids playing stickball, boxball, roundup, and cooling themselves off by running through open fire hydrants. He talked about the adults sitting on lawn chairs with their radios on enjoying cool drinks. He painted a picture of the Bronx neighborhood of Kingsbridge being like a small town where everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. He talks about the special relationships him and his friends developed over the years. He reminds everyone who grew up in Kingsbridge what a unique experience they all had. A few years ago there was a Kingsbridge/Bronx reunion which had 1,400 attend! Kenny Hand's group, Godwin Terrace, has get-to-gethers on a regular basis where dozens and dozes of friends get-together. Not many people can say they have dozens of friends from their childhood that they still keep in touch with - but Kingsbridge does. Kenny does a clever job in bringing this reality to life in his book Anyone who grew up in the Bronx/Kingsbridge knows exactly what I'm talking about. Perhaps, only people from the Bronx/Kingsbridge can truly understand what it was like. Perhaps, if you didn't grow up in this place at this time - you won't "get" this book For me, having experienced the same things Kenny did - I "got" his book. If you are from The Bronx/Kingsbridge - you should get this book. It will bring you back to a time and place that I hope we never forget. Thank you Kenny. Graham, thank you for the article but you missed the main point of the book. For anyone from the old neighborhood - do yourself a favor - go to www.kenhand.blogspot.com and order a book. You won't regret it!

From: Bronx youth remembered in new book

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