Set in Chicago's immigrant neighborhoods west of Goose Island, these lighthearted coming-of-age adventures recount growing up on rough and tumble Division Street. Inspired by a series of short stories that morphed into something much more, Post delivers a warm and humorous coming-of-age memoir that captures an era of Americana with heart and honesty. As seen through the eyes of three young boys, Chicago becomes a sort of full-contact playground where the realities of life, the love of family, and a world of adventure wait around every corner. Marked by a keen eye for detail, West of Goose Island: A Chicago Story is a must-read for anyone, even those who didn't live in the Second City. Post's tales of life growing up in several Polish immigrant neighborhoods is part nostalgia, part history lesson, and an altogether invigorating journey to a simpler time. The streets and alleys of his neighborhood provided the adventure and life lessons we all experience. And in the tight-knit enclave just west of Goose Island where the phrase "It takes a village" operated in full force, the streets were safe because everyone looked out for one another. From swimming in the dank, bubbling darkness that was the North branch of the Chicago River surrounding Goose Island to the peculiarities of cultural assimilation, the 1940s and 1950s were a pretty great time to be a kid in his neighborhood, to learn about the value of hard work and education, and to truly understand the possibilities in a country where every dream could be realized We all remember moments of childhood that left indelible marks on our lives for one reason or another. Some are simple moments while others are more profound, but in every instance they leave behind an impression on our very beings, molding that we are from that moment forward. While they are not always positive, they set a foundation from which the rest of our lives are built. For Richard S. Post, those years were not only full of adventure but were also the beginning of an exciting life.