What We Leave Behind: Four Generations in Cicero, Illinois (None of Them Knew Al Capone)

As we get older I guess we start wondering about our heritage. On my fathers side my aunt went back into history and gave us a print out but always wondered about my moms side. I ordered the book and received it yesterday in the mail. It brought tears to my eyes to have been blessed of knowledge on both side so I can teach my kids. Needless to say I didn't sleep much because I couldn't put the book down. My kids even sat and asked questions that I can now answer. What an inspiration!!!!! More people should read this book so it can inspire more people to write about their history and educate their families. The energy and time spent on this is awesome. Can't wait for the next book. I hope there is a next one. This book has inspired me to start writing in a book I bought called "Tell me your story grandma". Now I know how important it is for kids as they get older to want to know about their family and history. Thanks for writing this book Cathy. It will inspire more people through the years to come. I didn't buy this book just because it is a part of my family history but history alone. It teaches you how the times were in those days. Times that people often forget. Times that have made us for who we are today. I would rate this a 10 star. Very well written for all ages to read. Our children are at the age in school when they are starting to write about their family tree. Now they have it. I think Cathy has taught many people how important it is for the next generations to come. We learn history is school everyday. Now a days with parents working and the life styles that we have-do we sit and teach our kids our own family history? This made me take a step back, slow down and review what importance is to our children. Thank you Cathy!!!!!

I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. Here is what I found. A book that entertains while being informative. It would have been easy to lay this out like a textbook. That did not happen. There were so many engaging stories that guided me through the lives of four generations. (mostly three generations with the fourth being the author). There are so many historical facts intertwined with heartwarming and heartbreaking stories (even brought tears to my eyes more than once). I am glad the author was able to lighten the mood with a humorous anecdote, or amusing aside. The book is loaded with amazing pictures and captions. Loved seeing the old recipes and bits of the found diary. It was obvious that there was a huge amount of research involved in writing this book. I too, sometimes got lost in the names (which is bound to happen with name recycling). But it did not take away my enjoyment of the book. I especially liked the way the author ended the book with letters to her great-grandmother and grandmother. It was a great way to wrap up the stories. I look forward to more books from this author.

A well researched story of the authors family history told in an engaging and humorous format. The reader learns of one family's story through several generations but in it we also see many similar traits to our own family stories.What I take with me from this book is the warm and welcoming way "Grandma Sullivan" handled herself through all of life's troubled times. There is a lesson we can all learn from her. Also loved the authors humor. I hope her future books feature more of her quirky sense of humor.

I HAD TO BUY TWO COPIES. I GO BACK TO CATHERINE EISEN'S BOOK NIGHTLY.SOMETIMES IM SO TIRED I JUST MULL OVER THE PHOTO RICH PAGES. THIS BOOKIS ALSO GOING ON MY COFFEE TABLE AS ITS ALSO RICH IN HISTORY. ((THE LAST BOOK IENJOYED (LOVED THIS MUCH WAS GREY GARDENS) ) THAT MIGHT TELL YOU SOMETHING !!

When we're younger and our grandparents and maybe even our great grandparents are alive, we don't think to ask anything about family history. I made that mistake. We lived with my grandparents until I was 9. They immigrated here in the early 1900s but I never even thought to ask why or what life was like in the old country.This book brings to life a family history to which any of us can relate. It can easily be a springboard for others to research and use this book as a model using letters and stories combined with local and international events.Here's what I would like to say to the author: I love your enthusiasm and all of the work you've done. I JUST finished the book today. I love 1) all of the quotes at the beginning of each chapter 2) your personal references and side noted relating to different movies or comparisons/references to today's lifestyle 3) the stories and dates of the personal history alongside the city and neighborhood time frames helping to put everything into perspective 4) your personal insight and humor 5) the honesty and the reality of one family's life and history to which so many can relate 6) your Great Grandma Ellensohn's diary..what an awesome find 7) your mom's personal stories 7) your personal stories...so you have introspection from all 4 generation 8) the photos, actual and imagined like of the wringer washer or the kitchen 8) your letter to your grandma and great grandma at the end of the book! This is so real that most can relate that most families can relate and embrace your family and theirs. It's particularly interesting to tie it to Al Capone in terms of time frames and impact on the town of Cicero. I recently saw a video on PBS of the reaction to the first African American family moving into Cicero to which you referred in the book. That was also part of the real history/story of Cicero as it was then. I love the book and the way you walk us through all of the aspects!