Book Reviews of A Drinking Life : A Memoir

Interesting memoir of growing up Irish in NYC during the Depression & WWII, drinking through early adulthood. While Hamill dwells on his early life, much of the action goes by quickly, with some name dropping (Mick Jagger & Keith Richards come to a party at his house, he spends several years with Shirley MacLaine) and superficial treatment of his sobriety and the years since then.

I enjoy reading Pete Hamill's novels. This memoir is a good insight into his background and explains where he got some of his ideas. If you enjoy Pete Hamill, you'll enjoy this read.

If you are a Hamill fan, which I am, it is fun and interesting. Reads quickly and is a good look at the drinking life in a big city.

A well written account of the drinking life during the Depression and WW II.

Something of a true life male "Tree grows in Brooklyn," a hard and interesting story.

Well written, gotta admire a man who can quit drinking cold turkey. I'd like to hear from those around him when he did it - unlikely it went as well as he remembers it!

Hamill is a good writer, it is interesting to follow his journey. It seems he is unwilling to come to grips with his inability to control his drinking instead blaming "the lifestyle" he's assumed on the culture of alcohol. I used to visit The Lions Head during these days, wonder he I ever saw him there? It was the last stop of the night before jumping on the path at the Christopher St station.

Enjoyed this book about Pete Hamill's childhood & drinking years.