I Want to Thank My Brain for Remembering Me

by Jimmy Breslin

Call it a miracle, fate, pure luck, or just another day in the city where nothing is usual, but in 1991 Jimmy Breslin narrowly escaped death - which inspired him to write this book about his life. Two years ago, Breslin was having trouble getting his left eyelid to open and close. This was too peculiar to ignore, so Breslin decided to pay a rare visit to his doctor. As it turned out, the eyelid was a matter of nerves. But extensive testing revealed something unrelated and life-threatening: he had an aneurysm in his brain - a thin, ballooned artery wall that could burst and kill him at any moment unless he opted for a risky surgical procedure. Breslin agreed to the surgery and at age sixty-five, grateful for this miracle (what else could you call it?), began taking stock of his remarkable life.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Jimmy Breslin was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American columnist and author. He wrote numerous novels, and pieces of his have appeared regularly in various newspapers in his hometown of New York City. He was a regular columnist for the newspaper Newsday until his retirement on November 2, 2004.

Among his notable columns, perhaps the best known was published the day after John F. Kennedy's funeral, focusing on the man who had dug the president's grave. The column is indicative of Breslin's style, which often highlights how major events or the actions of those considered "newsworthy" affect the "common man."

Reviews

[Patrick Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a memoir by veteran reporter and columnist Jimmy Breslin. He is inspired to look back on his life after he is diagnosed with an aneurysm at the front of his brain. Breslin has been around many important events from the early1960s and he brings his unique style to his memories. This book grew on me as I read it. Beneath the gruff exterior was a gruff but good heart. Who knew?

[Jennifer]

Jimmy Breslin is so poetic, democratic, thoughtful - I want to be him or meet him or something. He talks about people one doesn't know unfolding into people one can't wait to tell others about, and I feel that way all the time about the people I meet and interview. This is his memoir about having brain surgery but of course its packed with anecdotes about his years of reporting, which is a simple word for what he does, his own philisophies, his rotten parents, and his great love, Queens, NY.

[Frank Taranto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir about Breslin's anyerysm. The book contains many anecdotes about his life as a reporter and as a Catholic married to a Jewish woman.
Breslin is a New Yorker through and through, areal city man and it shows in this book.
Well done!

[Paul Wilner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving account, showing that JB did not lose his reportorial chops as time/medical ills advanced.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

JB describes the time leading up to and following his diagnosis and surgery for an aneurysm in the frontal lobe area of his brain. His reminiscenses are both tough and touching.

[Ben Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A memoir of a bygone era of journalism and ol' boys networks in a New York I don't particularly care about. His ruminations on death and consciousness are interesting, and I marveled at Breslin's ability to seem to attend every major historical event of the mid-20th century.

[Benjamin Rubenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but if I had mimicked Breslin's style when writing my memoir then I'd have ended up sharing stories of scoring on the wrong goal in soccer and laughing hysterically after someone said "boob."

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Breslin was known as a journalist in New York who focused his attention on the ordinary people of the city. One of his most famous articles was his interview of the man who dug John F. Kennedy's grave after his assassination. Breslin also was known for reporting on the Mafia which was strong and noticeable in the city at that time and was beaten badly by a member of the Lucchese crime family. He also uncovered corruption in local government and covered the race riots.

In this book, Breslin finds that he has an aneurysm on his brain and much of the book is dedicated to his reaction on finding he will have to undergo brain surgery. He explains what the condition is, how he found the best surgeon and then reports on the operation from start to finish. Of course, there is much angst before the operation although Breslin, who is a Catholic, feels he is ready to die if that's what's in the cards. He is much more concerned about surviving but being unable to remember things or think.

Breslin is also known as the journalist who Son of Sam wrote a series of letters to. These letters were printed in the paper and many at the FBI condemned Breslin, saying that his sensationalizing of the murderer extended his criminal activity and caused more murders. Breslin was at the center of most events during the 1950's to his death in 2017. He wrote columns up onto his death and always focused on the average person who was just trying to make it in the world. This book is recommended for those interested in journalism, events of the time and autobiographies.

[Bridget Breslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bawdy, unapologetic, and sharp, Jimmy brilliantly weaves the threads of his life story, his epic career, first hand accounts of pivotal moments in American history, and a sit-down with his own mortality. I always expect to laugh when reading JB #1, but what I didn’t expect, and loved, was Jimmy giving us a rare glimpse of his own vulnerability. JB is was one of a kind and so deeply missed.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

jimmy breslin is a favorite

[Milt · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIP read. Now for all the other things his brain remembered to write.