Fourth Street East

by Jerome Weidman

Near Fine Hardcover New Random House, 1970. Book. Near Fine. Cloth. Signed by Author(s). First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Brown and tan cloth, lettered in blind on front cover and in gold foil on spine panel. Text block edges slghtly toned by age, front cover a bit warped and thus mildly lifting toward fore-edge. 241 pp. Illus. dust jacket lightly rubbed at corners and spine extremities, spine panel slightly toned by age, now in archival mylar. Signed by author (no inscription) on front flyleaf. First editoin, as per Random House designation at the time (explicit statement, "2" in number line). This is a signed copy of the trade edition, not the signed/limited edition..

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, New York, Historical

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Jerome Weidman was an American playwright and novelist. He collaborated with George Abbott on the book for the musical Fiorello! with music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. All received the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strength of book is the depiction of the Lower East Side, and the characters who populated it. This is an enjoyable read, and it ends too quickly.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how I came across this book but I could not put it down. It is about a young immigrant teenager in the Lower East Side of New York. It is told without sentimentality. It does not have any imposed shaping or sense of an organized fictional plot to "get somewhere" or teach something. It is just a collection of anecdotes. For me they rang surprisingly and simply true. The characters, as wonderful as any I've read, also rang true. I was truly sorry when it ended. I can't replace it . Turns out Weidman wrote I Can Get It For You Wholesale which I think was a successful Broadway show and also other books (which I will try). I highly recommend this. If you're family came through the Lower East Side as mine did, I bet there were some experiences like these. The main character's point of view is wonderful--humble and humorous and also perpetually amazed to the point of slight shock--yet very intelligent.

[Frances Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is out of print, but if you can get your hands on it, do so and read it. It's very well written and a great story. Priceless.

[Patricia Barndt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looked interesting!

Was really looking forward to reading this from the description, not so. Started out OK, but by the halfway mark lost all interest. Still don't know what the point of the story was.

[Klr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look at the early history of my neighborhood. I loved it.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this as I usually do with immigrant stories set on the lower east side. Looking forward to reading more by the author.

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this author. Need to read again asap.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is only of interest if you are interested in he first wave of Jewish immigrants to NYC in the 1920s.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read about the first wave of Jewish immigrants to NYC in the 1920s.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book of how it was for my parents generation. Written impeccably and with fascinating craft and precision. Book as advertised, tells the story of how it was then

[Dulcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. The author kept me engaged and it felt real, probably because it was.

[Albie]

Fourth Street East by Jerome Weidman (1971)

[Gottesburen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating tales of How It Was growing up in early 1900s as a poor Jewish son of immigrants in NYC

There are parts of this ebook that were confusing, such as the start of the book with the difference of English English and American English from a writer's perspective, then towards the end of the book, the start of one story with a break to review the book and then into a totally different story. Regardless, I couldn't get enough of the stories. Book was extremely well written and will highly recommend it's reading to friends and family.