In One Era and Out the Other

Sam Levenson was a loveable character. I must have first seen or heard of him on the 'Ed Sullivan show' where he first became nationally known as a comedian. A round bespectacled laughing- and - chuckling at his own jokes small and extemely pleasant man he , it turns out, also did more than fire out one- liners on T.V. He wrote books like this one which tell of his childhood and his years in teaching in the N.Y. Public School System. Levenson writes about being poor in a world -of- hard knocks, with a large loving family as early companion. He is a person who shows great respect for others, and his humor is gentle and self- deriding. His ability to turn a winning expression is never in doubt. And this book is filled with amusing one- liners, anecdotes, little stories. Among the subjects he writes about are 'Sorry, Wrong Era' 'Poor Sammy's Almanac' ' Geta New One ' ' You never get the Dessert' 'Auto Biography' ' Frank Lloyd Wrong' ' The Men in Mama's Life ' 'Mama, It's Cold Inside' 'There's No Present like the time' 'Panic Button' "Meatballs vs. goofballs' 'He's a Sophomore' 'LOve, Shmove' et al. Here is a sample of the kind of wisdom with a chuckle Levenon gives us. " Along with Papa's "if you ever need a helping hand" advice, he often threw in " And remember if you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep." I followed the American dream, often at the price of sleep.It left me more time to work on my dreams. I figured that after my dreams came true I could always catch up on my sleep. My dreams did come true. In fact, it is truth that has been causing me a great deal of insomnia. Every silver lining has a cloud. In this way, I started out in one era and arrived in another. The trip took half a lifetime.By the time I got to my good old dream castle at the end of the rainbow ,I had been condemned and replaced by something more up-to-date in pre-fabricated temporary contemporary. The times had changed. I met all the challenges, reaped the rewards, and now find myself with everything a man could ask for , including an outstanding collection of doubts, misgivings, and ambivalences of all sizes." Again this work provides an opportunity to be in the company of a gentle, wise, and humorous human being. A real mensch and a funny one at that.

I fondly remember my mother (who is now 8l) laughing and telling Sam Levenson's stories that she heard on the radio or TV. They truly were funny, meaningful and they helped her through some difficult days.I just finished a biography of Audrey Hepburn and in it was Mr. Levenson's "if you need a hand, there's one at the end of your arm" piece and it's as poignant today as it was back then.I'm saving these books to pass on to my three daughters so his ageless wisdom will continue to inspire a third generation.(Nolan Levenson of New York, your grandfather was a gem!)

I just want too say that I love my grandpa's books. I never met him. I'm only twelve. I've loved all his books and i encourage you to buy them. This is a true statement. I am his grandson.

Hilarious!!! The title really portrays this book. It starts with the author's childhood and ends with the birth of his grandchild. Throughout, The author recounts funny episodes that took place. In the beginning of the book the author writes: "It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Remember, my son, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm." The author really heeded that advice and perhaps that was the key to his success. Sam Levenson has some advice of his own, like: "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness." This book is warm, very funny and at times a little sad. A must read!