American Family

By Robert Crooke

Book Overview

AMERICAN FAMILY is Tom Gannon's confession--a story of secrets and sins, set in 1950's America. Haunted by memories of his heroic father, Joe; his complicated grandfather, Hank; his stoic mother, Mary; and his boldly courageous sister, Liz, he weaves an engrossing tale--a classic narrative of love, courage, betrayal, and redemption--which he calls the story of a family, told by its "least worthy member".

American Family invokes a time when New York real estate development was controlled by arbitrary power-politics and prejudice, and when Congressional investigations into Communist influence in American institutions cast shadows of fear and suspicion over day-to-day life.

Robert Crooke summons a rich cast of characters onto this stage, and though they voice a variety of political convictions, this novelist is suspicious of extremes in ideology. It's more the human heart that interests him. And through the observant eyes of his flawed narrator, reminiscent of Holden Caulfield and Huck Finn, he takes an unforgettable journey into the moral truth of America's past--and present. It is an extraordinary reading experience in fiction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595335659
• ISBN13: 9780595335657
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A fabulous read

I couldn't put the book down. It holds your interest from beginning to end. The story gives the reader insight into the politics and mind set of the fifties. Bottom line is if you like family values, history, love stories and intrigue, you'll love this book

American Family

The Gannons, Robert Crooke's American Family are a reflection of their time, the 1950's. The themes of political corruption, racial prejudice, blacklisting, and unfounded accusations come to life in the microcosm of the Gannon family. Tom Gannon who describes himself as the least worthy of the family, narrates the family history and presents vivid portraits of his mother, father, and siblings as they meet and face forces of evil personified by powerful politicians who manipulate real estate holdings for personal profit and by so doing limit those brave men like Joe Gannon who is appalled by the racial prejudice and seemingly limitless penchant for personal gain and power exhibited by some of the most powerful people in the Hudson Valley and NYC. The characters are multideminsional. Tom Gannon, the narrator is at once frightened and brave, filled with idealism and flawed by doubt, loving and selfish. He is, in other words, very human and we see him grow through this story and change.. Perhaps, that is what Mr. Crooke intended to give us, a tale that includes the horror of evil that also contains a bright ray of hope. Some men will always try to take away our humanity and take all they can for themselves without concern for the consequences their actions have on others. Yet, there will always be those who are concerned for others, those who will think carefully before going to war, those who will see conflict as a last resort and those who will risk ruin in an attempt to make this a better world. Certainly, Mr. Crooke brings us a tale of the '50's with a clear parallel to the year 2005. The story of the Gannon family was a joy to read. It contained historical facts that added to the plot and moments of great passion as well as horrid tragedy. Once I began reading this book, I hated to put it down. And, when it was over, I sat for quite a while stunned and silent as the implications of American Family swept through my soul. A great read.