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Brooklyn, NY: A Grim Restropective Edited by Chip Deffaa (former NY Post columnist-author-playwright)

Paperback: 186 pages, US $9.99/Can 10.99 + shipping from Amazon.com

Projected Release Date: June 2010

Brooklyn NY - A Grim Retrospective - by Jerry Castaldo

Final touches are being made on Jerry's new book that chronicles his growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, NY, his agonizing descent into the darkness of the city's underbelly and his desparate struggle back to normalcy.

This autobiographical volume is titled, Brooklyn, NY: A Grim Retrospective.

Response from those who have read excerpts have described this volume as "heartbreaking," "surprising," "emotionally charged."

Others have called it, "shocking," "volatile," "riveting" and "just plain scary."

This positive response garnered from these "test" readers are very telling, as these people cut a wide swath across a varied demographic (men, women, young, old), and are from varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and locales.

Pre-Orders: Click here to be added to the list

Here are actual emails from some of these readers:

Wow, Jerry! It's very well written, extremely interesting and gives the reader a sense of anticipation and thrill. I like it a lot!
Lori W. (NYC)

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!
I can not believe how "addicting" it was...and to my surprise, I read the whole thing after putting my son to sleep...I just couldn't stop!
A lot of the stories I remembered just from our chats & visits while recording in your Staten Island house...but to read them in detail & in the manner that you wrote them in was just simply amazing...great job & I want more!!!!
I have to tell you, I found myself LMAO reading the "cock roach episode" moving from your mom's to girlfriends apartment...

Wow....
Even though you grazed over some things before we met (way back when...lol) and when we met and talked, it just boggles my mind reading this. Even the education thing. You're so well spoken and smart. You are like Jerry the Hammer's anti-christ. Maybe you had an epiphany one day. Maybe it was when you discovered music and your talent singing? (I don't know this yet, because I only read what you sent...LOL) It's pretty hard hitting right away reading it. It's like you get to feel the streets and the whole vibe, and envisioning these people (including you). This must have been therapy for you to dig back and write this......It's so 'not you', if you know what I mean. It just seems like you're writing about some other guy, and you're looking in on his life. Pretty cool, Jerry. Pretty gritty and down and dirty right away. It grabs you.

Oh my God, Jerry,
YOU ARE AN AWESOME WRITER! You have so much to say and say it well. I think it is impressive and I would love to read the whole thing. Mind you, I really dont even like to read. Anyway, its got to be published, I think its not only a healing book for you, but it will be helpful to others. No one really gets down and dirty with their life story, this is riveting. to say the least. Well I guess you can tell I hated it (ha ha). I really would love to read it all whenever you keep writing. I always knew there was something special about you, Jerry the person and the not just the handsome, smooth talker. Believe me when I say that.... You are not just a pretty face.....

Few Things:

I just started reading and from what I have read.... I'd have to say KEEP WRITING!!!

I want to keep reading your book... so I will email you tomorrow!!! Absolutely love it. Think it is a great idea.
Non-Fiction is the way to go!

Susan Giordano, NYC
Author of "And The Point Is..."

I had a feeling I should not try and open this tonight...lol...Surprisingly so, I got up to The Mobster/Leisure suits...It is 3 am on the nose and I have to say that it had me hook line and sinker...I could not stop reading....I think it is going to be one of thoses "CAN'T PUT IT DOWN" kind of books...I could see just what you were saying about being a well adjusted adult now....Coming from all that in your early years is unreally insane! You'd think that one or two of your expierences in a life time is enough but all of that and to think there is more????? I can't wait til the book comes out....I'd be afraid to tell any of my friends (LOL) that we even emailed (I am only kidding) I think....WO! It reminds me like you see on Oprah...A woman starts talking to some guy in jail etc....Anyway...I think that what I have read so far is definetly a tremendously all around book...Startling, emotional, heart wrenching (for you and your family),sad,self help and most of all I am sure great for you to release...I think it's great...I'd definitly buy it and am sure people I know would buy it too...Yes, it is always a selling point when a "CELEBRITY" writes this sort of book but I really think with the right promo...It might even be a BEST SELLER!!!! Great job....Can't wait to finish what you sent and certainly will await the finished product!
Oh I have to tell you that I could not forget to tell you....I love the humor in between the lines...Just as you get choked up or your eyes widen....You made me laugh...Good job...

Wow!!!
That is really, really good! There are so many different reactions to reading that ... ... ...
"OMG! That happened to him ...."
"Oh Yeah ... ... that's how it was ..."
"What other things happened to this guy .... .... ...."
.... .... .... It sounds like you really have something here ... ... ... ! You truly are an amazing person, with new and interesting layers of creativity emerging each time we get a chance to 'communicate' ....

Dear Jerry,
To be honest, I dreaded having to find the time to read your book as I’m so busy. But, thanks for sharing it. It’s different from any book that I’ve ever read over the years. Your stories (amazing ones!) categorized by the date and what songs were number one in the country at that time, makes you think back and say “wow, I know exactly what I was doing when that was happening to him”. I found myself doing that during every story.

I read your book . It was very, very good ! I was so shocked by some of it as you figured I would be . I think it will be a big seller . Just remember us little guys when you make it BIG ! Write back soon .
Yvette

Well, Jerry, I must say that you have lived a fascinating life. About as different from my Southern Baptist upbringing as we could get! I like the style of your writing. It flows so realistically, grabs you and you'd better hang on! Tonight was the first chance I've had to read any of the stories, and I read only half of them. I'll read the others soon. I'd like to right now, but it is realllllly late. For me!
I don't know what form you are thinking about putting this all in to, but you have enough material for lots of projects. I honestly enjoyed the rhythm of your writing and the realism of your stories. Looking forward to reading more. Thanks for sharing,

Linda Rainwater, PH.D
Professor of Literature
Author of "The Second Milagro"
University of VA

Hi,
The short of it is - I love it! It's so soulful and honest.. you can't figure out whether to laugh or cry... it reminds me a bit of Angela's Ashes. Since I know you and your not just a charter in a book I have to say that I feel like I'm peeking into your soul. It also makes me think about the Man you have become....... I wanted to call you last night after I finished it but I decided it wasn't the best idea.

READ YOUR BOOK AND I THOUGHT IT TO BE VERY INTERESTING. I THINK IT WOULD BE WELL WORTH IT TO GO ON WITH THE ENTIRE THING.
LET ME KNOW WHEN THERE IS MORE, I AM REALLY INTERESTED! GREAT WORK, REALLY!!
ESTHER

Thanks for sending the excerpts. I read the intro and scanned the rest and I was already very impressed, firstly by your courage in writing it out. I know it must not have be easy. But I can see that lots of people could benefit from it, so it will be well worth it.
Dr. Jane Shie
Radio Host
Texas

Wow, if you dont publish this writing, you're more nuts than the book says so.... (ha ha) It is so gripping and exciting. You are one hell of a writer Mr. Castaldo... I am so impressed and cant wait to read more. So, keep it coming.... I am really enjoying this first hand look at your unbelievable writing.
thanks, I really am enjoying every detail. no b.s.

All I can say is "Wow!". It's amazing, Jerry, what you have overcome. I am so proud of you!
Bob Billig
Bway Conductor (Lez Miz, Miss Saigon and others)

Dear Jerry,
Your writing continues to be captivating! It is even more enticing when I am not familiar with the actual story line. The portrayal of your experience after arriving at the Manhattan VA is vivid, strong and compelling. You manage to endow your words with meaning and with feeling. You bring the reader with you to the scene ... to the time, the place ... enabling us to experience your myriad of emotions.
To read your book without knowing you, I would feel sadness for the author and a sense of despair for the human condition. Knowing you, however, intensifies those feelings and ultimately leaves me with an awareness of being grateful for having the gift of knowing the special person who is the product of these life experiences.

Jerry,

As Always what a pleasant surprise!! Thanks for sharing your book with me.. I love reading it!!! It's "great" & it keeps me to the edge of my seat just waiting to hear the next chapter..

I'm pleased to hear that you're doing well and I wish you much luck on your book.. You have the making of a Bestseller...

Audrey

OMG! Jerry! You HAVE to write a book!

You could write it so all of your story shorts are in one book connected, but independent, you know!

It was so vivid, (and a little scary) but it would totally make a good book. Do you have any more to send me?

You're pretty brave. As a writer myself, I am so shy about letting people read what I write. I do it, but it so incredibly agonizing for me.

At any cost, you have to write. It would be so unfair for you to keep those stories to yourself : )

Oh your book is so good, although it scares me. Very interesting, that book is nothing like you today.

The Jerry I know now seems to have always have it together, so give your self a hug
You are a natural survivor and fighter.
Di

Oh my God, you must send me more, It is excellent. Not that I liked hearing the horrible way that you had broken your neck, but it is so well written. I am really impressed and hope to hear that it will be published some day.
Barbara

Below is the passage that I mentioned having read yesterday that made me think about your book. It made me wonder if my response to your writing was stimulated predominantly because I am familiar with you as a friend, or if the stories themselves are the primary provocation for generating this wrenching emotion.

After having given it some thought, I have decided that it is the subject matter of your stories which elicits the emotional response. Your introductory image of the 'good child', the innocence of the 'altar boy', creates the empathetic character, the 'that was me' personage, who then in your stories is thrust into the neighborhood environment (which was the world for so many of us) and so must develop certain 'survival skills' which ultimately evolve the into the events related in your writing. You, the necessary 'hero' figure of the novel, represent all of us, touch a cord of recognition in us. Yet, while there is a resemblance, a correlation of experience, you are the extraordinary figure ... Your experiences, your life, become the heightened reality which makes the reading compelling and keeps the reader involved.

Jerry,

Read it last night - it was well written and very personal stuff. Moving! I would love to read more.
JMC

Jerry, your book is very interesting I couldn't stop reading it and I wanted more. You have being through so much but yet you seem so normal like nothing like those things you described has ever happened in your life. I am so happy to know you and you are a strong person. Some people can't find thier way back like you did. I am really proud of you.

Hi Jerry,

This is all so very fascinating to me . Good for you for writing it. I'm sure it has some cathartic effect, getting it all out. I have the utmost admiration and respect for you for what you have done with your life. I know it took a lot of determination to get to where you are now. I salute you for that.

Unlike you, I do not have the talent to express with words the feelings that are competing inside me upon finishing your story

The Talent: Your ability to evoke the reader's emotion

The Observation: These stories seem to pour out of a great depth and with a rush. I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW YOU ... AND YOU REALLY ARE A SPECIAL PERSON!!!