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Part philosophical memoir, tribute to a blue-collar football town, and historical snapshot of the mid-twentieth century, this book is a microcosm of the American Dream. From war-torn Eastern Europe, we follow as the author's father escapes to the New World and settles in New Jersey to raise a family. Here, there was opportunity for everyone, and patriarch Tata instilled a strong work ethic and moral code in his children. One of these Polish kids was the author, influenced by his family and wider community of South River (teachers, coaches, mentors, friends) to reach new heights as a second-generation American that culminated with a "gude jobb" in a successful career and a "gude life," as Tata would say, filled with happiness and love.

C. Edwin Tracy traces a momentous time in American history, chronicling the popular culture-movies, music, sports-of the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, while also recounting the injustices of the Jim Crow era that galvanized him and other students of his high school into a local rebellion which shocked the town and surrounding communities. Throughout it all, European immigrants like Tata were forging new lives and providing the next generation with the means for success. This family memoir honors Tata and shares his many wisdoms, while also reflecting on life in small-town, blue-collar America and weaving together memorable characters, personal anecdotes, and pivotal historic moments.

The author was born to working-class Polish immigrant parents as Chester Edwin Trzeciak on 50 Division Street in South River, NJ and spent a 49-year professional career in scientific research. Along with his four brothers and two sisters, he attended St. Mary's elementary school and South River High School. He spent the first 20 years of his life in South River between 1945 and 1965. Across those years, he was known by three nicknames: Ebby in elementary school, Zeke in high school, and Ed thereafter. But his father always called him Edveen. He and his wife, Cathy, have been married 60+ years and have now lived in Golden, Colorado, for the last 45+ years.

Although no longer skiing the mountains of Colorado, the author and his wife, Cathy, are avid outdoor wilderness enthusiasts (camping, fishing, hiking, wild-mushroom hunting). Mr. Tracy plays speed pool billiards, sings and strums his 12-string guitar daily, and currently holds five gold medals from the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah in both singles and doubles horseshoe competition.