BOOKS
"Dear Alfie"
Reviewed by Gregg Cameron, July, 2007
Dear Alfie is a collection of poignantly written stories about boys growing up in the Midwest in the forties. It very much
reminds me of the MGM movie, "A Christmas Story", where Ralphie Parker dreams of the perfect Christmas morning and
the perfect gift, a Red Rider Beebe Gun, in which his hopes are almost dashed by his mothers constant reminder, "You'll
shoot your eye out." In this warm big-hearted book, Ronald Ruble has put together a series of short stories to which any
man growing up during that period could relate.
Dear Alfie is not a novel with a compelling plot or steamy sex that keeps you turning pages, nor does it have a wide
appeal to people who cannot relate to that period of time or gender. There is no discernible "Hook" in the first few lines to
grab the reader and pull him in, but nonetheless the writer draws you into the stories as they unfold. It is interesting,
wholesome reading which provides a glance back in time to a simpler life.
The more I read, the more I wanted to read and I was sorry when it ended. It was somewhat like reminiscing with an old
friend from your childhood over a couple of beers. The author provided an Epilogue in the back of the book that outlined
the fates and fortunes of the various characters in the book as their lives unfolded through the years. This was a nice
touch.
Gregg Cameron is the author of "The Dark Side of the Lake".
"These stories are SO good! This could be a classic in my opinion." Barbara Sachs Sloan,
Author of "FOCUS: A Blueprint for a Happier Life".
To order "Dear Alfie", send $18.00, to cover the price of the book, plus shipping and handling to:
Dear Alfie
c/o R.L. Ruble
34 Pond View Way
Fitchburg, WI. 53711
E-MAIL Ron at: ronaldruble@sbcglobal.net
Reviewed by Gregg Cameron, July, 2007
Dear Alfie is a collection of poignantly written stories about boys growing up in the Midwest in the forties. It very much
reminds me of the MGM movie, "A Christmas Story", where Ralphie Parker dreams of the perfect Christmas morning and
the perfect gift, a Red Rider Beebe Gun, in which his hopes are almost dashed by his mothers constant reminder, "You'll
shoot your eye out." In this warm big-hearted book, Ronald Ruble has put together a series of short stories to which any
man growing up during that period could relate.
Dear Alfie is not a novel with a compelling plot or steamy sex that keeps you turning pages, nor does it have a wide
appeal to people who cannot relate to that period of time or gender. There is no discernible "Hook" in the first few lines to
grab the reader and pull him in, but nonetheless the writer draws you into the stories as they unfold. It is interesting,
wholesome reading which provides a glance back in time to a simpler life.
The more I read, the more I wanted to read and I was sorry when it ended. It was somewhat like reminiscing with an old
friend from your childhood over a couple of beers. The author provided an Epilogue in the back of the book that outlined
the fates and fortunes of the various characters in the book as their lives unfolded through the years. This was a nice
touch.
Gregg Cameron is the author of "The Dark Side of the Lake".
"These stories are SO good! This could be a classic in my opinion." Barbara Sachs Sloan,
Author of "FOCUS: A Blueprint for a Happier Life".
To order "Dear Alfie", send $18.00, to cover the price of the book, plus shipping and handling to:
Dear Alfie
c/o R.L. Ruble
34 Pond View Way
Fitchburg, WI. 53711
E-MAIL Ron at: ronaldruble@sbcglobal.net
Ron will be Pleased to autograph your purchase.
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An exceptional coming of age novel by a
first time writer. A boy growing up in a
small town, ( Kenosha, Wisconsin ),
experiencing life from grades one
through twelve. The book also details
his experiences with an adventuresome
sibling, who generally steals the stage.
A must read for both young and old, that
will surely bring a smile to your lips and
fond memories to mind. You will easily
relate to the situations, and the
characters will be like old friends
revisited. A scrape with death as a
young boy brings a life's importance
into focus for the author. The stories are
SO good, you won't want them to end.
Dear Alfie is a fast, easy and enjoyable
read.
first time writer. A boy growing up in a
small town, ( Kenosha, Wisconsin ),
experiencing life from grades one
through twelve. The book also details
his experiences with an adventuresome
sibling, who generally steals the stage.
A must read for both young and old, that
will surely bring a smile to your lips and
fond memories to mind. You will easily
relate to the situations, and the
characters will be like old friends
revisited. A scrape with death as a
young boy brings a life's importance
into focus for the author. The stories are
SO good, you won't want them to end.
Dear Alfie is a fast, easy and enjoyable
read.
"WE WERE HEROES THEN " is published!
Cast Party being planned at Karnes' Grandview Tap
*Stay tuned for dates
Cast Party being planned at Karnes' Grandview Tap
*Stay tuned for dates
Parochial School Basketball Champions -
1949 - 50 L to R: John Jantzen, Bill Anderson,
Ron Ruble, Eddie Becker, and Bob Karnes.
Kneeling with trophy, Jerry Euting.
1949 - 50 L to R: John Jantzen, Bill Anderson,
Ron Ruble, Eddie Becker, and Bob Karnes.
Kneeling with trophy, Jerry Euting.
The first books are being mailed out to the
"cast members",(those people prominently
mentioned in the book), of Ron's new book,
"We Were Heroes Then". The new book is a
series of short stories continuing his youthful
adventures of his formative years while
growing up in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
It continues the same format of his first
published novel, "Dear Alfie". A book signing
and Cast Party is being planned at Karnes'
Grandview Tap in Kenosha on a date soon to
be announced.
"cast members",(those people prominently
mentioned in the book), of Ron's new book,
"We Were Heroes Then". The new book is a
series of short stories continuing his youthful
adventures of his formative years while
growing up in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
It continues the same format of his first
published novel, "Dear Alfie". A book signing
and Cast Party is being planned at Karnes'
Grandview Tap in Kenosha on a date soon to
be announced.
"DEAR ALFIE"
What the Publisher has to say about
"We Were Heroes Then"
"We Were Heroes Then"
We Were Heroes Then is a clever, well written
grouping of short stories as the author
continues his youthful adventures while
growing up in a small Midwestern town in the
40's and 50's. It will keep you laughing and on
the edge of your seat, anxious to begin the next
story and another new adventure. It is both
hilarious and emotionally moving with just the
right mix for enjoyable entertainment. You will
easily relate to the situations and the characters
will be like old friends revisited. We Were
Heroes Then is a fast, easy and enjoyable read,
and a must for both young and old.
grouping of short stories as the author
continues his youthful adventures while
growing up in a small Midwestern town in the
40's and 50's. It will keep you laughing and on
the edge of your seat, anxious to begin the next
story and another new adventure. It is both
hilarious and emotionally moving with just the
right mix for enjoyable entertainment. You will
easily relate to the situations and the characters
will be like old friends revisited. We Were
Heroes Then is a fast, easy and enjoyable read,
and a must for both young and old.
To Order "WE WERE HEROES THEN" send $19.99 to cover shipping and handling to:
"We Were Heroes Then"
c/o Ron Ruble
34 Pond View Way
Fitchburg, Wi 53711
"We Were Heroes Then"
c/o Ron Ruble
34 Pond View Way
Fitchburg, Wi 53711
***Buy Both Books including shipping and handling for $29.99