Raised Catholic (American Storytelling) [Hardcover]

Ed Stivender (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2005 | Series: American Storytelling

He was the only son of an Irish Catholic mother and a Protestant Navy man. His mother frequently prayed for him to become a priest. But his father warned him, Son, never get a job where you have to wear a dress to work.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A professional jongleur (storyteller), Stivender offers rich material here in anecdotes based on growing up Catholic in Philadelphia in the 1950s. The first-born of an Irish Catholic mother and a Lutheran father, he missed the "call" to priestly vocation that his parochial school teachers envisioned for their prize pupil. Instead, his inquisitive imagination wrestled merrily with the pseudo-military nature of his Catholic education; with what he calls the game of "doctrinal tennis" played in the classroom by teacher and students; and with his all-too-literal interpretations of pious conventions, such as accommodating one's guardian angel. Stivender's storytelling emanates from a warm familial setting and resonates with affectionate humor while he takes swipes at the rites of passage of a more innocent time. These tales of Catholic culture amuse while they recall a history shared by many.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Twentieth-century Catholicism was radically changed by the Second Vatican Council, and professional storyteller Stivender provides a delightful trip down pre-Vatican II's memory lane with stories from his own Catholic boyhood in the 1950s. This abridged release includes five tales, beginning with a piece on his first-grade introduction to Catholic school etiquette (e.g., one left room between seats for the guardian angels) and concluding with a paean to his fifth-grade love. Stivender's approach is consistently gentle, poking amiable fun at a long-lost era. The author narrates with a deadpan voice that accentuates his low-key humor. Recommended for public library collections.
Sister M. Anna Falbo, Villa Maria Coll. Lib., Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: August House; First Printing edition (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874832772
• ISBN-13: 978-0874832778
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,936,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholic School students from the 1950's MUST READ!, July 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Raised Catholic (Can You Tell?) (American Storytelling) (Paperback)

As a graduate of "Holy Cross" where Stivender went to school, I could clearly relate to every word in this book. His story telling talents certainly entertained this reader (actually listener, I got the book on tape and listened on a recent car trip). Stivender certainly has a way with words and the events that he experienced and recollects can be clearly imagined and remembered by anyone who entered a Catholic grade school at that time. Unfortunately our own children of the next generation will not be able to share these experiences. I laughed for 2 hours and then laughed again as I listened to the book a second time with my 18 and 20 year olds! They too enjoyed every word. If by chance Stivender reads this review, I "was" Kathi Reiner and my feelings were hurt (only teasing) that you did not mention me in your trip down memory lane.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comedic anecdotal collection, January 13, 2001

By 

Adam (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raised Catholic (Can You Tell?) (American Storytelling) (Paperback)

This collection of Mr. Stivender's memories from his first year in Catholic school all the way up to his prom was very funny. I have never been to a parochial school myself, but from what my father has told me about his memories, these stories give a taste of what Catholic schools were like in the 1950's, but in a hilarious manner.