Arthur Birkby

ISBN: 1-5988624-8-0

Arthur Birkby is a storyteller. He’s a teller of tales with talent I liken to that of Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875). 

Birkby writes about his family members with vivid recollection. Recalling the incidents with clarity, as if it only happened yesterday, Birkby starts with an introduction to his colorful Grampop. From a ride on a moving table saw to a trolley abruptly jerking to a stop to Grampop using the words “hell“ and “damn“ -- the man had an impact on the author’s life. Then, it’s on to Uncle Bert -- the obsessed, paranoid, bizarre, rich uncle.

Cousin Robert who punched a dentist, Uncle Al who seemed to always be knocking on the wrong door, and my favorite, Uncle Hub. From train hopping to bottle throwing, this was the life of yesteryear. These were hard times and Dad wasn’t above lifting items he needed; Mom was employed as a telephone operator; and “Uncle” Sylvester ended up with a boat that couldn’t be controlled. Thriftiness was also a humorous adventure -- the refrigerator door wasn’t allowed to be open more than a few seconds “in order to keep the light bulb inside from burning out prematurely”; someone would rush into the bathroom after a user vacated to reset the wall lights for efficiency; Mom never let the washing machine run its course -- saving on hot water; and gold was buried in the back yard for safekeeping. Clothes were hung out to dry, pulling down the window shades made the shades wear out prematurely, and box turtles were a kid’s favorite pet.

Some things never change -- a kid’s desire to have a football and the mother not wanting her child having anything to do with a sport where there may be injuries; scavenging for useful items left at the curb on trash day; and learning that discipline has its rewards. Best of all, the “cop” stories work just as well then as they do now.

Birkby and his playmate, Kenny Ralston, would ride up and down the sidewalk (Kenny on the hood of his peddle-car). One afternoon, beat cops, “Nick, the Cop” and Mr. Albrecht, stopped the boys and “arrested” them for driving a vehicle on the walkway. Nick released the “come-along” handcuffs when Birkby “assured him” that he would “never again carry Kenny on the hood.”  Birkby’s mother used the story to her advantage. In order to get her youngster to take a nap, she said that “the policeman came by the house each day to make sure that all children take their naps. The author was “skeptical that this was true,” but having already been “arrested,” he wouldn’t take a chance of the policeman finding him awake during naptime.

The author served in WWII, earned his bachelors degree from Temple University, a diploma from Trinity College of London, and a master’s degree and doctorate from the Philadelphia Conservatory, where he was a graduate fellow. He has been a Professor of Music at Westminster College, Western Michigan University and the University of Wyoming. Dr. Birkby has performed with symphony orchestras. He is now retired and lives with his wife in Salem Oregon.

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here