What Others Are Saying
Potpourri
Embark here on a left brain/right brain excursion into science, memoirs, poetry, fiction, sports, travel, world cultures, politics, Delta Blues and even Louis Prima singing “My Googootza Bella.” In the tradition of great scientist-artists, Polacco’s tales of his youth and early adulthood in Italian-Jewish Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and his scientific career as a world class biochemist will delight his readers. Most of all, the love he has for the people in his life--family, friends, teachers, colleagues, and students comes through with joy and self-deprecating humor. With all due respect (as they say in Brooklyn), this googootz wrote a helluva fun book.
- Joseph Colacino, PhD, developer of small molecule antivirals
Vina
While reading Vina, it brought me back to my childhood days growing up in an Italian American family around Kansas City. I was laughing, crying and reading about things I hadn't heard in many years. I think this book is a must read for Italian Americans across the country, not just Brooklyn.
The glossary in the back is very helpful to get the most out of this book. (Especially if you're not Italian American or from Brooklyn) it's a translation of the common non English words from back in the days.
Mr. Polacco's sense of humor shines in his added comments in parentheses throughout the book. The best part of this book is the deep felt love the author shows for his saintly mother. Every mother should have a child like Joseph to care for and love her until the end. I'm getting my dad a copy for Father's Day.
This is not only a memoir, but a piece of history showing an American culture.
- Gina
Joseph Polacco brings to life,rekindling old memories of life in Bensonhurst Brooklyn..The close family ties,the neighborhood friends who were much like family,sharing laughter and meals together..The changing of the neighborhood to a more diverse and richer culture..He ties all that in with short vignettes of his life around the world and the role his mom plays throughout his vast experiences..The love he portrays of and for his mother permeates the entire book..And he gives us a historical lesson of what countries like Honduras and Colombia were like in the 60's and'70's.e.g.the turmoil that existed in revolutionary Colombia in the late 60's..And other great stories (and pictures) of family and friends,even some receipes!
You really don't have to be from Brooklyn to appreciate the book..It's pages swell with such great love and laughter.Leaves you salivating for some of the great food(many of Vina's own recipes) he so wonderfully describes.. What a joy!!!
- Amazon Customer
Joe Polacco - scientist, Brooklynite, humorist, poet - often channels Walt Whitman's Song of Myself in his poetry about science. He does contain multitudes.
His take on science and scientists is accessible to non-science people like me. I might have taken to science classes if Joe had been my teacher.
I recommend the very enjoyable "Potpourri."
- Dola Haessig
Joe Polacco is a restless person, teacher, writer. His mind is wild. His attention devours the world offering him an opportunity to explore and discover what awaits us. It's always something unexpected that forces us, the readers to open up our worlds, and welcome new, exciting visions of what is possible.
Joe is a dynamo. He is a wind turbine, no, he's fifty wind turbines, generating so much energy and insights that the wind is exhausted trying to keep up with him. And he communicates with his vast realms of humor and the elegance of his sentences. Whatever he writes, he deserves our attention and admiration.
- Walter Bargen - Poet Laureate of Missouri
Vina is a beautifully written tribune by J. C. Polacco. Vina was from a Sicilian immigrant family who lived her entire life in Brooklyn. She was one of a kind, out going, smart, talented, friendly and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Vina made the best of everything but family was her focus. While her circumstances were challenging, her self confidence, positive outlook and circle of faithful friends, she prevailed. Through out the book are testaments, stories and photos of her interaction with and from family and friends. Vina was beyond just a talented seamstress, her talents were recognized at the highest levels at Gimbel's and Macy's, offered to set her up in a boutique in Manhattan. While that never happened, partially do to the times (70s); her concerns about not fitting in with the Manhattan crowd; and significant resistance on the home front. However, Vina had her day! in the mid 80's, she was invited to a major fiber/fabric showing at the Waldorf. She appeared in one of her smashing ensembles, to queries from foreign and American designers and models, "what's her name?" the response was, "wow, Vina, what a great name for a designer"! Finally, she had her talent recognized and by those in the design field. Readers will enjoy the Italian dialect and the New York slang, "whadayuwant?" slang. The author's dedication to his mother is what every mother would hope for, some are fortunate to have a son like, Joe.
- Cgrandma
Vina is a big-hearted, funny, poignant valentine to one magnificent woman, the old days in Brooklyn and the hometown in our hearts. Joe Polacco catches the voices of his family, and by the last chapter they are everyone’s family, and Brooklyn is everyone’s neighborhood. And Vina? She’s someone you’ll never forget. A book for anyone who appreciates how families share, and love, and grow, regardless of where you were raised.
- Amazon Customer