Generation to Generation Paperback – October 1, 2020
by Stanley Papel (Author)
Generation to Generation traces the compelling story of a
contemporary Jewish-American family from its origins in Hungary and Lithuania
through the immigration to the United States in the late nineteenth century to
present day. Covering six generations, the history is narrated by Stanley Papel
and his parents, Phil and Sophie Papel.
Generation to Generation is both memoir and history, offering insight into middle-class life in the United States in the twentieth century, family entrepreneurship, and the emergence of a gay sensibility from a traditional family milieu.
Product Details
·
Item Weight: 1.05
pounds
·
Paperback: 200 pages
·
ISBN-10: 1643884298
·
ISBN-13: 978-1643884295
·
Dimensions
: 8.5 x 0.46 x 11 inches
·
Publisher: Luminare
Press (October 1, 2020)
· Language: English
Top review from the United States
Reviewed
in the United States on October 14, 2020
This book was a "hard to put down" read. The author's skill in weaving his story with that of his family was so very heartfelt and interesting. I would highly recommend this book! A great holiday gift to give because it deals so well with family life and family roots. Great photos as well.
Verified
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Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1942 and have resided in LA and Palm Springs for most of my life. I married in 1972 and had three beautiful children and have five grandchildren. In 1995, I came out and separated from my wife. I am now married in a same-sex marriage. My profession has been in the giftware industry. I am fondly called “The King of Mugs,” having sold internationally over 250 million mugs marketed under the Papel Giftware and Papel Designs brand. We also had the gift shops on Main Street, Disneyland at the opening in 1955. For more about me, please check out my website: www.stanleypapel.com
What inspired you to author your book?
That is a book in itself! Basically, I want my grandchildren and someday great-grandchildren to have a history of their past. My preface is available on my website and tells the full motivation. Once a well-established mentor told me his “life was a lie.” I needed to put my story out there for myself, my family and friends, and for those who may be interested. It is also a beautiful gift to my heirs who learn the story of their ancestors immigrating from Europe and their lives in the USA in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I was gifted from my grandparents and parents with my photos. The cover shows seven generations, from my great-great-grandfather to my young grandchildren.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Of course, there was a lot of research through family records. However, the biggest obstacle was to decide just how much to include in the book. We all have “secrets,” and there are also family secrets that are best not included. I do not want to hurt anyone, so there were some things that I had to deliberate on whether or not my perceptions should be included in the book.
Tell your readers
about your book.
GENERATION TO GENERATION traces a contemporary Jewish-American family’s compelling story from its origins in Hungary and Lithuania through immigration to the USA from the late 19th century to the present day. Covering sex generations narrated by Stanley Papel and his parents, Phil & Sophie Papel, the book is both a memoir and a history offering insight into middle-class life in the USA in the 20th century, family entrepreneurship, and the emergency of a gay sensibility from a traditional family milieu.
Who is your target audience, and why?
While the book is the story of one family, it covers target audiences well beyond my family. Key search words that have been receiving attention are #jewishgay, #gayfathers, #comingout, #gay married, #samesexmarriage, #disney #disneyland, #vintage Disneyland, #mainstreetdisneyland #ancestory, #familytree, #losangeles, #palmsprings, #lithuania, #hungary, #mugs, #papelgifts, #papeldesigns
If you were going to give one reason for anyone looking at your book to read, why should they buy it?
Every life is special and has its ups-and-downs. I hope readers may learn from some of my mistakes, and I also hope to inspire others to take the step to write down their own life stories for their children and grandchildren to know them better. When we are gone, it is only those who are living who remember us. When they are gone..... there is the book.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
Bringing life into this world.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre? Everyone is unique, but to say something that you have done that is unique is a very difficult question to answer. I would say that I am proud to have had the courage to write my story (and the story of my ancestors) and put it out there for anyone to read.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
It literally took me 25 years to write this book. I started it in 1995 and finished it in 2020. The biggest block I had was making time to write the book. Make time if it’s important in your life.
What one piece of advice do you have for new authors?
If any new author wants this answer, please email me directly! I have already made a few mistakes! Contact: StanPapel@gmail.com.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
If you purchase this
book, I would love to hear from you directly. I am now retired and have time! I
am working on the second edition as I have family in South Africa, Israel, and
Mexico who wants me to include them in the next edition. Thanks for taking the
time to read my interview.
