Sting-Ray Afternoons
A Memoir
-
-
4.6 • 52 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
This is a story of the 1970s. Of a road trip in a wood-paneled station wagon, with the kids in the way-back, singing along to the Steve Miller Band. Of brothers waking up early on Saturday mornings for five consecutive hours of cartoons. Of growing up in a magical era populated by Bic pens, Mr. Clean and Scrubbing Bubbles, lightsabers and those oh-so-coveted Schwinn Sting-Ray bikes. And of a father -- one of 3M's greatest and last eight-track salesmen -- traveling across the country on the brand-new Boeing 747, providing for his family but wanting nothing more than to get home.
In Sting-Ray Afternoons, Steve Rushin paints an utterly nostalgic, psychedelically vibrant portrait of a decade overflowing with technological evolution, cultural revolution, as well as brotherly, sisterly, and parental love.
"Funny, elegiac... a remarkably sunny coming-of-age story about growing up in a Midwest world." -- NPR
Customer Reviews
Sting Ray Afternoons
What a great ride through memory lane. Everybody who was born in the 60’s must read this!!
Absolute gem of a look-back to growing up in the 70's
Mr. Rushin has captured the life's experiences of growing up in a Midwestern city in the 70's. While it doesn't hurt to be nearly identical in age to the author, the words he uses evoke the sights, smells, and feels of going from 5 to 15 years old at a time before cable tv, when party lines and Pledged tables were the norm. Great book!
Sting-Ray Afternoons
I grew up in "prestgious west Bloomington", and attended Lincoln H.S. (a Class of '79 graduate along with Jim Rushin). Steve's book brings back vivid memories of my own childhood. Everything connects for me; there was just so much that sounded exactly like my own 1970's household. Watergate, Carol Burnett, North Stars and Met Stadium. The stories are well-told and Steve brings his famous word-crafting to life, always with great humor.
Thanks Steve!