Everything But Money: A Life of Riches

by Sam Levenson

In this timeless classic that topped the New York Times bestseller list in 1966 and 1967, Sam Levenson recalls his childhood with the warmth and affectionate humor that endeared the author and humorist to millions of Americans. He describes the cramped New York tenement which he shared with his parents, his six older brothers, and his sister as a “a life of plenty”—plenty of relatives, neighbors, boarders, janitors, hugs, slaps, books, music, weddings, illnesses, cats, dogs, cockroaches, and the like. He recalls how his parents bestowed upon him a “life of plenty”—plenty of hope, ambition, and faith in education, all of which became the hallmarks of his life and career. As he remembers his parents with overwhelming love, and cherishes the ethical values they instilled in him, he shows how those values are timeless and have helped him as he became a parent. His vivid recollections of a big family, rich in everything but money, are interspersed with a deep concern for the social and moral dilemmas facing today’s young people, dilemmas which carry on to this day. Sam Levenson’s blend of sweetness, hilarity and wisdom shines through Everything But Money and offers lessons that we can all learn from, lessons that are timeless and as relevant now as they were 50 years after Everything But Money was first released . . .  

Genres: Humor, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Sam Levenson was an American humorist, writer, teacher, television host, and journalist.

Reviews

[Maura Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam was my cousin. I remember when he published this book - I was a little girl - and he came over to the house to celebrate. The funny thing is that I never read any of his books which he sent to us prior to each publication. Then, this summer, while I was editing and revising "Five-Star FLEECING" someone emailed me a page from "Everything but Money" - I flipped - Sam & I have the same writing style. We use the same words!
Or rather, if Sam were alive today & used the "F" word, you wouldn't be able to tell one writer from another.

Which leads me to the theory that comedy/humor is a genetic trait.

Maura Stone
Author & Cousin to Sam
"Five-Star FLEECING"

[Sharon Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic for me...I read it almost every year , there is a copy at the cabin...this is one of those books that is a good read for any teen...my dad made me read it when I was 15, almost fell off the couch reading it...

[Yvonne swinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Insightful. Funny. Fun.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that he got just a wee bit wordy towards the end when waxing philosophical. But overall, a great read.

One of my favorite lines was how he never knew when he was little that meatballs had meat in them :)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous and very believable.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Sam Levenson recalls his childhood, poor and Jewish in Brooklyn. He writes with great vigor and vitality, and just about every page has another good laugh. The title refers to his family being rich in "everything but money," but they were rich where it really counts: love, support, fun. His family's struggles are challenges that they meet with determination and a positive mindset. His childhood doesn't seem poor because he and his friends clearly had a lot of fun, making the most of their limited resources. They had to come up with all kinds of games to entertain themselves, as well as ways to avoid trouble. Heartwarming as well as rib-tickling, "Everything but Money" is a book that will stay with you for years to come.

[angelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a a good book even though so many things have changed in the world wince it was written. Sam Levenon is witty, delightful, and knows how to write from the heart. I love books that center on family unity.

[Shara Ogilvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding! This book is a true story of a man who grew up in poverty stricken New York Bronx. He is a wonder, and this book is a joy to read.

[Elizabeth Higginbotham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything but Money by Sam Levenson, the educator, humorist, and journalist who grew up in a Jewish immigrant family in Brooklyn. He graduated college and secure a masters and taught in NYC schools. The book was recommended by someone in my writing group. I found the description of his early childhood to be amazing. He captures the perspective of his immigrant parents, who came to the US and worked hard, including his mother who cared for the home in a tenement and eight children.

Sam, born in 1911, was the youngest. There was economic poverty, but strong spirit. Parents did not indulge the children, they valued discipline and ruled with determination that their children would have opportunities. They all did. His descriptions of the neighborhood are rich and people might not remember this era, when poverty was common, but there were ways for people to advance. Like many, his siblings leave the neighborhood and eventually his mother has to move into “better” housing, but she misses the old friends and connections.

Social mobility is a reality for him and many in his group, so he comments much on the different challenges his generation faces as parents, who are more likely to indulge their own children while such actions were beyond his own his parents’ means. Furthermore, they did not apologize. The focus on schools, grades, and paths to success in the post-World War II days has been addressed by many. Levenson sees the conformity of this era and the way people get lost.

As a teacher he is in the middle of mess, as appreciation for learning and living to craft a life gets lost in the focus on grades and need for a “career.” He is also cognizant of how many are deprived of opportunities due to class, race and religion. Originally published in 1949, my edition was from 1966, so there are comments about the rise of television, decline of arts and music in schools, and other evidence of the increased commercialization of American life, including how it impact young people who become a target market. The temptations for young adults are many, because they are not pushed into helping to support their families. The post-World War II development of the teenagers is not an explicit focus of his work, but this generation differs from those who came before. As someone raising children in this era, he includes what that means for parents who are trying to balance their own lives.

In ending, he is supporting tolerance, but people need to take actions. They need to live and help others live. Maybe more people are thinking in those terms today when we can see how pursuit of business has led us to some shady places. Writing in the 1960s, Levenson sees the beginnings of efforts to address poverty and discrimination. In his life, he did much to enrich the lives of young people, as well as share his humor in many venues. However, the end does get preachy, but the first part of the book is wonderful.

[Mark Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't thought about this book in ages. I was reminded of it just now surfing the net. I read it 1973. It was among many books I discovered as they sat quietly turning yellow in my dad's bookcase. Strange that it was even there as I was under the impression that he read nonfiction only.

What stands out most in my mind, as I recall that collection of volumes is the series by his idol Winston Churchill - The Second World War; in particular the title, The Gathering Storm.

I digress. As a kid who had discovered the joy of reading from the very start of my schooling I was always looking for something new to read. So when I saw Mr. Levenson's autobiographical tome staring back at me from the shelf I picked it up and gave it a tentative perusal.

Long story short - I perused it to the end and I remember enjoying it as he related his life navigating the ups and downs of NYC ghetto life in a large Jewish family.

[Rick Bavera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the life of the author, who grew up in a family of 8 kids in New York City in the era of approximately the 1920s onward.

The early part of the book told things with humor.

The latter part of the book was still a bit humorous, but got more serious as he dealt with things like education, families, human rights.

Enjoyable, and the humor in this book actually "translated" pretty well to the current day, unlike some from the same general time period.

[Estott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. The opening sections are Levinson's recollections of his childhood in the tenements of New York City- they are excellent. The rest of the book is a somewhat formless collection of Levinson's opinions and philosophy. There is a lot of material to savor in these, but there is no structure- you'd do better to dip into them at random than try to read straight through.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 3 out of 5]

President Hinckley quoted from this book. Told about how parents used to treat their kids. How the kids became a you owe me generation then talks about all the problems in our Education Systems and what we need to do as individuals. Interesting but not a fast read. Got this from Hoopla Weber County Library.

[Melissa Leatherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book. It is humorous and insightful and so easy to read. It is a commentary on how much this world has changed in the last century, and what a different world we live in and raise our children in. It made me laugh and it made me grateful and a little nostalgic.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the short glimpses into his life, his humor, his perspective. I didn't feel it was a page turner but I looked forward to picking it up and having a laugh. I definitley want my kids to read it when they get older.

[Lobug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually laughed out loud at most of the first half of this book. The second half was more serious, and a good commentary on what is happening in families and society. I recommend this book, especially to parents. It's good medicine, full of humor. thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Judith Wrinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoyed these books. So much like my own dads advice and humor. Read many of his books, more than once.

[Evaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and good reminder of what really matters. My 14 year old daughter enjoyed it too and I loved having her learn more about how people lived in the depression era.

[Dave Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can change your outlook on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Truly spellbinding and timeless.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and found it so entertaining that I took it to read to nursing home residents who also enjoyed it. It's an easy read and anyone can find their way into understanding the author's life and what meant most to him. Of course, as you can tell by his title that isn't money. He grew up in the New York City immigrant slums. His vignettes are wonderful, like men and boys sleeping on the fire escapes to escape the oppressive indoor heat.

He also speaks poignantly about family events (I won't spoil it for you) and traditions. It's an easy book to pick up when you have a few minutes, and memorable enough to pick up again where you left off.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read this book, mainly finished in the 1960s, what will strike you as interesting is that alot of the commentary he makes applies to today as well. The more things change, the more things stay the same, except the newest adults today appear to think that they are the first people experiencing anything--well Sam proves that this isn't true. Oddly if you leave out some of his technology references, it could be 2024 and not 1966......something to remember...its always been hard and people have had to struggle--it was never easy..in fact its easier to live today than it was back then....

[Avis Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book, Levenson's memories of growing up poor in a New York City tenement, is splendid stuff and quite funny. However, the book bogs down in the later parts when he talks about child raising in the modern era (the 1960s to him) when he becomes more hectoring and less funny. An awful lot of writers born pre-1940s came unglued when discussing the mores of the 1960s. Nonetheless, the first part of the book is so good I still recommend it. The 3-star rating is a compromise.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book ended after the first 150 pages, I definitely would have given it a much higher rating. During this first half, the author discusses his NYC, child of Jewish immigrants childhood, and it is awesome - both funny and touching. However, after this, for the next 120 pages or so, it is just complaining about raising children in the “modern” world (the book was published in 1966).

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for years and finally read it. The stories of his growing up in NYC are fun. The second part where he Roos into schooling and raising children is right on. Funny how the first copyright is 1949 and nothing has changed—in the second part only

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read before 1972.

[Natthan Coelho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good reading. I'm from Brazil and I found out about Levenson just by curiosity after seeing his name in the first National Lampoon edition. It's a very easy and enjoyable reading and even not sharing all his philosophy and ideias (lets remember it's 1966), I was very happy throughout the funny and reliable sentences. I'm from the 90's and I saw me in his shoes when he was a kid. Very real.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, over the top well-done. Levenson is a breath of fresh air. Though he has been "no longer of this world" since 1980, his fun memoirs live on. This author is a breath of fresh air and in spite of his impoverished past growing up in a tenement in New York City. Levenson came from a large Jewish family who was close knit and grateful for all they had. The author's attitude is inspiring while his every page makes the reader laugh along with him. If only more people from this generation could see life as did Levenson. By the way, Same's last name is spelled "Levenson" not "Levinson". Just so there is no confusion. Apparently Goodreads got it wrong.

[Anne McMullen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Thought It Would Be A Humorous Read

I remember seeing Sam Levinson on TV back in the 60s (I was just a kid). He was an American humorist and I remember him being really witty. I thought I would check out his book. I Loved the first part of the book where he talked about his childhood. It was really interesting. When I got to the second half of the book, it became a narrative about what's wrong with our children today (the book was written in 1949!!). I found it to be too preachy, although I did agree with him. The humor part of the book was over.

[Kathy England · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny book about growing up in the early 1900's in a poor family of eight kids. Sam Levenson compares his upbringing with "today's" (1960's) permissive society. The first half of the book is funny but with much wisdom in it. The last chapter of the book, Off My Chest, is more serious and discusses many of the intergenerational conflicts of the 1960's that still exist today. He might as well have been writing about today.

[Olga Barasoain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I read as a child with my Mom....It is so so so funny. Lots of his books are out of print, but I have found them at vintage stores around the country and have the whole collection. Enjoy. Olga

[Kate N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and witty.