A Book About Myself

Set against the bustling backdrop of Chicago in the early 1890s, this memoir follows a young collector for a furniture company who is just beginning to hear the stirrings of his own literary ambition. Inspired by the witty daily verses of Eugene Field, he finds the city's streets, rooftops, and riverbanks a living poem, each neighborhood a distinct character in a rapidly growing metropolis. The narrative captures his fascination with the towering steel structures, the chaotic Board of Trade, and the multicultural neighborhoods that pulse with hope and hardship.

Through a blend of lyrical sketches and candid reflections, the author records his early attempts at free verse, his dreams of speaking to crowds, and the restless energy that drives him to sing, dance, and love. Readers are invited to walk alongside him as he discovers the paradox of a city that is both newly forged and steeped in emerging traditions. The book offers an intimate portrait of youthful aspiration, the raw texture of urban life, and the birth of a writer’s voice.