A Different World offers a moving, humorous and endearing personal history, tracing six generations of the author's family from the revolution of 1848 in Germany to his own life and times in New England. For instance, three chapters trace his father's life from boyhood at the turn of the century, through his experiences in World War I, and finally as a successful businessman through depression, war and prosperity until his death in 1956. Contains 175 photos.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Mutter's unadorned and thorough family history-cum-personal memoir begins with a frank admission: "I wanted to record... memories before I got too senile to remember them." Such forthrightness marks the rest of this volume, which traces the Mutter lineage through facts and "family lore." Beginning with a sketch of the anti-Kaiser rebel army days of Johann Georg Mutter (born in Rsswihl, Germany, in 1823), the account advances through the author's maternal grandparents the Meyers (who also hailed from Germany) and several chapters devoted to Mutter's father, Rudolph Francis Mutter. The culmination is "Assorted True Stories" tales of college pranks, ROTC jokes, Air Force life and office duties from the life of the author (also named Rudolph Francis Mutter, who was born in Northampton, Mass., in 1928). Mutter's sources range from personal interviews and diaries to public documents, from a history of the 1939 World's Fair to the "baby book" his parents kept after his birth. Because families tend to be large, complicated entities, Mutter's task of relating stories and names isn't a simple one, but he includes a helpful list of names and many photos, as well as enough colorful anecdotes to keep readers amused even if they've temporarily forgotten where any particular individual perches on the family tree. Mutter presents extensive material from his father's 1942 Biography of Mr. Average American and, in addition to family memories (which include glimpses of son John Mutter, PW's executive editor for bookselling), offers a compelling portrait of life in a very different era. Though the subject might suggest an audience composed primarily of Mutters and their friends, this is a clear-eyed, fond telling of a classic American tale of immigration, integration and achievement with its characters convincingly rendered with "the good and the warts."
Review
I can't think when I enjoyed reading anything as much as I enjoyed your memories. -- Teacher
It was great. Grandpa Meyer came close to outdoing Yogi Berra. -- Published author
The day it arrived all work stopped, and I read until 1:40 in the morning -- Newspaper woman
It was great. Grandpa Meyer came close to outdoing Yogi Berra. -- Published author
The day it arrived all work stopped, and I read until 1:40 in the morning -- Newspaper woman
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet.
|
|||
|
Video reviews
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
