Chicago Toy Store Memoir Recalls 1950’s and ‘60s Playthings Caryn Amster’s memoir The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago, tells about her family’s toy store in the 1950’s and ‘60s. It weaves in many of the era’s toy favorites and an append
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Caryn Amster’s new true family memoir The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago about her family’s Chicago toy store in the 1950’s and ‘60s. interweaves many toy favorites into the story from Alphabet Blocks and Lionel Trains to wind-up toys. An appendix reveals how the most popular toys of the 50’s and 60’s got their start.
The story begins in 1970, when a gang assassin gunned down her father, known as the Pied Piper of South Shore, in the Barbie aisle of his Chicago toy store. She describes the history of her parents and the store in gritty detail. Amster takes readers from her parent’s Russian persecution to American freedom, from Hula Hoops to hit men, from murder to trial. It's the story of two children of immigrants, their American dream, and their richly diverse neighborhood in which each fell prey to the brutality of gangs.
The foreword is by Tony and Emmy award winning singer and actor Mandy Patinkin. Indiana based fine artist and former South Shore resident, Mitch Markovitz, created the 1950’s retro book cover. Antique toy buffs will love the memories. Visit the book’s website at www.chicagospiedpiper.com
