J. C. Berkery

J.C. Berkery is a second-generation Irish-American, his grandparents having immigrated here from various parts of the Republic of Ireland such as Limerick and Donegal. Berkery has been a student of Irish/Celtic history for over a half-century, having studied at the State University of New York and the University of Pennsylvania, among others, and having done on-site research at museums, archaeological sites, and libraries in England and Ireland.

In addition, Berkery's description of post-WWII big city Irish America is first-hand and factually authentic, Philadelphia's blue-collar Kensington neighborhood having provided a panoramic tableau for the kaleidoscopic relationships between such diverse groups as Irish gangsters from the notorious K&A Gang, politicians, South Philly Mafia Dons, Main Line blue bloods, chorus girls, gun molls, crooked cops, and many characters whom even Damon Runyan never dreamed of, such as Harry the Hunchback, The Chicken Man, The Raccoon, the Blaster, Skinny Razor, Bones Gale, Dirty Dot, Up-and-Down Mary, the Hog, and many others.

Berkery holds a Master's degree in English and Publishing from Rosemont College. He lives in suburban Philadelphia with his Dublin-born wife and their two children.

Reader's comments extremely welcome!