Sentimentality and nostalgia for bygone days underlie this coming-of-age story from Greeley (Irish Whiskey, LJ 12/97). Remembering the Depression on the West Side of Chicago, "Chucky" Cronin tells of his Irish-Catholic boyhood, his friends, and his dreams for his future. Rosemary Clancy, the daughter of a rich man, is Chucky's childhood nemesis and love. Chucky dreams of a quiet life, only to have his plans altered by World War II. While with the U.S. Army in Germany, he manages to thwart danger, criminals, and army officers through miraculous luck and wit. His wish is to make it back home to Chicago, his family, and, most importantly, Rosemary. The combination of the "good old days" of family values and the romance of World War II makes this story seem cliched, but Greeley fans will love it.

The Reverend Dr Andrew M. Greeley (born February 5, 1928 in Oak Park, Illinois, to Andrew and Grace Greeley) is an Irish-American Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist and best selling author. He has given numerous interviews on both radio and television.

Greeley is also Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and is a Research Associate with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. He also writes a weekly column for the Chicago Sun-Times and contributes regularly to The New York Times, the National Catholic Reporter, America, and Commonweal.