Review of Child of the 1960s

[Erin Dydek]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Child of the 1960s" by Craig J Carrozzi.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Have you ever imagined what it was like growing up in the 1960s in San Francisco, California? Could it be so different from the challenges and changes we see today? Readers get to walk through the halls of history as Craig J. Carrozzi shares a typical day in 1966. Through his engaging writing style, you’ll learn what life was like as a Child of the 1960s.

Carrozzi packed his memoir with relatable tales, sports history, and cultural changes. I enjoyed his casual tone as he relayed the ups and downs of life in an ever-changing California city. As the oldest of five kids in a Catholic family similar to Carrozzi’s, I found many of his family situations relatable. The author’s tales of his parents and siblings, family and school outings, and classroom experiences were funny, heart-wrenching, and understandably frustrating or exciting. Learning about his family history, his father’s involvement in World War II, and the rapidly changing neighborhood were all interesting stories. I also loved learning about where his travels have taken him since the December day in 1966 described in the book.

The author demonstrated his vast knowledge of sports history and stats. Learning about the early 49ers, Warriors, Giants, and other youth and professional teams was fascinating. The author shared many facts about the players, franchises, and historic buildings around his hometown. Readers get a close-up view of the people, cultures, foods, and much more that make up the rhythm and flow of life.

The book had several punctuation errors. While these issues didn’t detract much from the book’s relatability, there were more than ten. The author’s writing style was engaging, but I occasionally found the story structure challenging to keep track of. The timeline progresses from the beginning of the day to the end, but the author’s flashbacks to other events make it harder to keep track of the present story. For example, while Carrozzi described the football game, he would transition to the backstories of specific players and how they performed in other games before returning to the current play. The numbers and stats the author remembered were impressive but somewhat overwhelming for a reader not as familiar with all the players and names. Therefore, I give Child of the 1960s by Craig J. Carrozzi four out of five stars.

Still, the book is excellent for those who enjoy San Francisco history, football and baseball history, and cultural family dynamics. The casual tone of the book allowed for frequent use of non-borderline profanities, but there was no erotic content. I recommend this memoir to those curious about city life in the 1960s.

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Child of the 1960s
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