Shop Little Rock

(edited by author)

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-09-02
Summary: "from a childhood friend in Litttle Rock"

I especially enjoyed Cleveland's book,he recalled memories of our hometown and friends we had in East Side and L.R.S.H.
Thank you, Cleveland for bringing these memories alive. Applause! Applause! Mel Kemp

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-18
Summary: "Little Rock Memories"

Cleveland Harrison's writing transported me back to a time when I was growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas. While he wrote of the difficulties of the times, he also shared memories of some of the brighter moments he experienced.
I was especially taken with his reference to my father's business, 555.
Thank you Cleveland for sharing these memories.


Written for my mother, Myonne Stueber Ehler

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-10
Summary: "stirring old memories"

Cleveland Harrison's recounting of his growing up years in Little Rock stirred many memories for me. I am a few years younger than Dr. Harrison, but his stories of life in the Great Depression strike home with me. Although I was only six when he and others went off to war, many of the details of depression era life are real to me and I remember much of the scrimping that dominated life in my house in my early years. I continued to hear family accounts of hard times and how our family coped with them well into my teens.

This book is like a personal conversation with the author and his detailed accounts of such common everyday events as going to a movie or preparing a meal or his family's struggles become very real to the reader. Reading the book is akin to sitting at the table over coffee and hearing an intimate family history laid out for you by one who lived it.

Cleveland Harrison's precise recounting of daily events is the product of a near perfect photographic memory coupled with a writing skill that creates a flow of word pictures that keep the reader tied to the book. As others have noted here, his tale of first love, high school and college dances, and the rituals of growing into adulthood become a warm love story. It should be noted, too, that his overall recitation of his family's tough times as he describes his mother and father coping with them presents an emotional picture of what family and love really mean.

Whether your interest is a history of the era, a story of family and love, or just delightful episodes about growing up during a troubled time for the country, this book is a great read.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-08-07
Summary: "Wonderful personal memoir"

I agree with the other reviews, so apologies if I repeat some of their comments. Mr. Harrison is the same age as my parents. I found myself superimposing some of his memories with those of my parents and grandparents. I visualized some of the places in the book as being very similar to those of my parents. I even found parallels to my own childhood in Alabama. His stories triggered memories of long gone stores and shopping rituals of my youth. I found common ground in distant family relationships. I was amazed at the detail Mr. Harrison conveyed, especially in his memories of pre-school years. I would love to know how he retained so many memories and details. The chapters move chronologically but are arranged as small vignettes of specific events. He leads us from preschool all the way to the start of his army service. Along the way he introduces us to the family, friends, teachers, and neighbors that make up his life experience. He expands the geographic boundaries as the story unfolds and gives us one last glowing panorama as the book reaches its heartfelt ending. The rich detail of family relationships, countless moves, intimate details of home cooking, mercantile stores and school life provide a window back to simpler times and of a life that we are blessed to have recorded in this personal memoir.

I was a student of "Dr. Harrison" in Alabama. I know him and 'Tumpy' from my college days. It was wonderful reading about them and learning about their courtship in this book. A few years back, I talked to Cleveland about his newly published WWII memoir, 'Unsung Valor' (also recommended) and jokingly asked, "What's next?". He stated he an autobiography of Arkansas childhood as his next project. It was a gift for his children and grandchildren, so they would know about his life and times. I am so happy he made this gift public.

The book definitely has moments that can relate to readers of all generations. I think in today's world we can see younger generations looking for a return to some these simple values in community and a return to connecting again with our neighbors and local businesses. I hope young readers will find this book and see some connection to experiences and family that continue in their own lives.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-05
Summary: "An Arkansas Friend"

As a fellow Arkansas who grew up in Little Rock During the thirties
and forties, it was such a treat to read this book by Cleveland
Harrison. I could picture the neighborhoods, the customs, life as it
was during the depression and even some of my old friends. Many thanks
to Cleveland for bringing back memories of our shared past in such a
delightful way. I highly reccommend this book.

An Arkansas Friend