The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir: Bronx Boy, Social Justice Attorney, Carter Administration Official, International Development Official, and Hollywood Producer by Al Hirshen

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir: Bronx Boy, Social Justice Attorney, Carter Administration Official, International Development Official, and Hollywood Producer by Al Hirshen

This book is on sale on Amazon for $0.99 (regularly $4.95) 11/5/2019 - 11/6/2019!

Al Hirshen has led an unusual life. He learned street smarts in the Bronx, helped out at his father’s candy store, worked as a waiter in the Catskills to pay for his schooling, and became a lawyer. A participant in many of the pivotal changes of our times, Al was a Civil Rights and pioneering anti-poverty lawyer and created the first public/private partnerships in the Carter Administration. He was among the first USAID consultants to work in Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia and Albania. 

Al has travelled the world, was a successful international development consultant, and tried his luck at movie production in Hollywood. For nine years he worked as a consultant to the leadership of Indonesia during that nation’s turbulent transition to democracy.

Al writes with a sense of humor and a profound love of life, the world, and people. As a recovering alcoholic, father, grandfather and husband in a happy twenty-five-year third marriage, he sees himself as an “ordinary man” blessed to live life fully in an imperfect, yet stunning world. 

“A beautifully written, gripping, and amusing memoir, full of psychological insights, humor and world-wisdom. Al Hirshen has the determination, chutzpah, self-irony, and heartfelt generosity of a true lover of life.” 

Kim Chernin, author of In My Mother’s House