“Joseph Sutton weaves an enchanting and entertaining spell in his selected writings. This is truly Sutton at his best!” —John Rothmann, talk show host KGO-AM San Francisco
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REVIEWS OF JOSEPH SUTTON’S MANY BOOKS
“I am eager to read more of Joseph Sutton.”
“Reading Joseph Sutton’s book was very comforting in these strange coronavirus times. Selected writings were taken from eight of his books. The pieces about his students seemed prescient in this moment of Black Lives Matter, or maybe things just don’t change much at all over time. I am eager to read more of Joseph Sutton.” —Emily Williams, book reviewer
“Joseph Sutton’s repertoire of writing”
“This is a great preview of Joseph Sutton’s repertoire of writing through his 50 year career. I especially enjoyed the part of the book about his family.” —Leo Catalano, educator.
“…and still can’t believe it.”
“If I wasn’t a witness to the events unfolding with Donald Trump as the President of the United States, I would’t believe a word of what Joseph Sutton has chronicled in his pamphlet Trump Times: Three Essays. But I’m witnessing it…and still can’t believe it.” —Charles Lewman, teacher and philosopher
“…the reality in America!”
“So true yet so sad about Joseph Sutton’s Trump Times being the reality in America! We Americans are beset with many delusional and irrational people blinded by their own fears and rages! Unfortunately, we live in a world lacking in progressive, creative, compassionate and humanitarian thinkers! It takes a lot of courage and boldness to be objective in life. When people can overcome their preconceptions, biases and ignorance we can advance our species. But this goal seems more elusive than ever. All we can do is try our best to bring light and truth wherever we go! Joseph Sutton is one of those messengers of light and truth.” —Neal Grace, poet and author of many books
“…an excellent compilation…of Trump’s character.”
Joseph Sutton’s Trump Times is an excellent compilation of the chief features and chief motives that make up Trump’s character. It’s a painful reminder of things we need to remember. —Tom Brennan, author
“A delight of a read…”
“Sometimes I come across an unexpected gem. My Writing Year: Making Sense of Being a Writer is one of them. Joseph Sutton set himself the task to write an essay each week for a year about the writing process. A delight of a read in which Sutton shows how excellent writing can be short and succinct. He muses about why he writes and his thoughts are terse with descriptive honesty.” —Gert Scholtz, South African author
“…imperative to the health of our democracy.”
“Joseph Sutton has gone beyond just a criticism of Donald Trump, he has intellectually developed a comprehensive criticism of everything Trump! He has hit all the bases of the things I have thought about our president but didn’t have the ability to express. His book *Trump Times* is the kind of protection the founders of our nation envisioned as being imperative to the health of our democracy.” —Leo Catalano, teacher
“…a cool insider’s view…”
“SF Giants Fan’s Journal” is such a cool insider’s view of those three championship years as they were unfolding. I can so relate and am having a blast reliving it all. I love this book.” —Frank Rogers, a Giants fan
“…told by a writer who has deep sympathy and understanding of the human condition.”
“The Bar of Soap is a collection of well-written, poignant stories covering the gamut of human emotions and situations. There are stories of homeless people, swindlers, athletes, and all sorts of ‘ordinary’ people. There is a story about a world ruled by animals, and even a story about the thoughts of a lemon. All of these stories […]
“…the can-do attitude it embodies.”
“As a (not very prolific) writer, I enjoyed the simplicity of the advice in Joseph Sutton’s This Writing Life and the can-do attitude it embodies. There are nuggets of wisdom here that are useful, timely and thoughtful.” —Jillian Mosley
“Joseph Sutton takes us on a geographical journey across the country, as well as a cultural journey…”
“The Life and Death of Abraham Massry and Other Stories is a well-written, engaging account of growing up in mid- to late-20th century U.S.A. Joseph Sutton takes us on a geographical journey across the country, as well as a cultural journey which touches the author’s—and the readers’—emotions. It is a story about how a boy, born into […]
“I wished this book could go on and on.”
“I wished this book could go on and on. Wonderful stories, snippets from a life.” —Delia Moon, Kindle review
“..a gem of a book to anyone who dreams of becoming a writer, who is already a writer, or who enjoys reading.”
“I highly recommend This Writing Life, a gem of a book to anyone who dreams of becoming a writer, who is already a writer, or who enjoys reading. Along the way, Joseph Sutton describes his life as a writer, how he goes about his day, how he comes up with ideas, how he successfully overcame writers […]
“I liked Joseph Sutton’s advice to people who want to be writers…”
“I really enjoyed reading This Writing Life. I liked Joseph Sutton’s advice to people who want to be writers that they actually have to sit down and write, and that they should get to it right now.” —David Perlstein, author of The Flight of the Spumonis and The Boy Walker
“Sutton’s voice comes through on every page”
Joseph Sutton’s voice comes through on every page in The Bar of Soap: 31 City Stories. I especially loved four stories of his
“This is the stuff of literature.”
I really enjoyed the intertwined tale of the San Francisco Giants’ ‘march to greatness’ seasons and the Joseph/Ray Sutton ‘march to destiny’ life saga.
“…baseball so important in people’s lives…”
I really liked the very personal, intimate, simple details of Joseph Sutton’s life with his son vis-à-vis the San Francisco Giants.
“…love letter to baseball.”
“Joseph Sutton’s San Francisco Giants: A Fan’s Journal is a beautiful love letter to baseball.” —Damon Bruce, radio talk show host, KNBR-AM San Francisco
“I wish I had written it.”
“Joseph Sutton’s “The Life and Death of Abraham Massry and Other Stories” is a one-of-a-kind book. Wow! I wish I had written it. A truly remarkable book about family. It resonates and is very touching. Sutton expresses a depth of feeling with deceptive simplicity.” —Judy Levy-Sender, poet and artist
“…a classic…”
Joseph Sutton’s Father and Son is a classic of a father-son relationship.
“…he lays his feelings out there…”
As with all of Joseph Sutton’s writing, he lays his feelings out there, something that not all that many writers do.
“Baseball…a way of life.”
Baseball is not just a sport for Joseph Sutton; it’s a way of life. In his new book, “San Francisco Giants: A Fan’s Journal 2010, 2012, 2014,” he chronicles the three Giants World Series seasons as well as the relationship with his son and its progression as he coached his son’s Little League teams over two decades ago.
“This book is about so much more than baseball.”
I have never been a person that is particularly interested in sports, but I am deeply interested in the stories that surround them.
“…transcribed many of the wonderful quotations…”
“As a lover of quotations and amateur aphorist, I read Words of Wellness from cover to cover and transcribed many of the wonderful quotations as part of my research.” —Gordon Havens
“…forthright account of the ups-and-downs in a father/son relationship…”
“Joseph Sutton has written a very readable book in Father and Son! His forthright account of the ups-and-downs in a father/son relationship is insightful. I think this book will help many people who care about the nurturance of relationships.” —Judy Levy-Sender, poet
“…very helpful to all fathers and sons…”
“I spent the day reading Joseph Sutton’s new book, Father and Son: Thirty Years of Growing Up Together, and very much enjoyed it. It’s a book that will be very helpful to all fathers and sons, or for those who are planning to become fathers.”
“Let’s not forget how important a nurturing father can be…”
“Joseph Sutton’s Father and Son is an example of how a real man acts and thinks: he is loving, compassionate, honest and tender. Let’s not forget how important a nurturing father can be to his children. This book is an inspiring good read. Highly recommended!”
“Sutton’s hero empowers his students in a revolutionary way…”
“I enjoyed A Class of Leaders and the theme of questioning authority. Today the No Child Left Behind Act graduates many domesticated robots who are good at following orders and NOT asking questions. Sutton’s hero empowers his students in a revolutionary way: he encourages them to think, question, and teach. A great, great read.” —Rena Blumberg, teacher
“Without a doubt…”
“Without a doubt, Joseph Sutton’s Highway Sailor is one of the best road novels I’ve ever read.” —Hal Goldstein, actor
“…highly recommend…”
“I enjoyed A Class of Leaders immensely. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read about the many challenges a teacher faces when making decisions that affect his students. It was a fascinating read.” —Jeannette Barry, therapist
“…fresh voice with its quirky wisdom…”
“I loved Joseph Sutton’s Highway Sailor. especially his fresh voice with its quirky wisdom and poetic imagery…”
“…it will help ‘artists’ of any medium.”
My Writing Year is my favorite of all of Joseph Sutton’s books because it is about the creative process
“…a lot to say about writing…”
Joseph Sutton has a lot to say about writing in My Writing Year. I particularly liked his emphasis on actually writing—getting words down as a pathway to clarifying thoughts. So many would-be writers wait for a thunderbolt or talk about writing but don’t actually write.
“…perfect for every aspiring writer out there.”
Joseph Sutton’s My Writing Year is perfect for every aspiring writer out there. He has so much to say about writing and persevering at writing.
“…writers are the luckiest people in the world.”
Joseph Sutton is a man in love with WRITING. He gifts the reader with 52 inspirational essays why writers are the luckiest people in the world.
“…celebration of being a father and a son.”
“Joseph Sutton’s “San Francisco Giants: A Fan’s Journal” is a wonderful, wonderful book. It’s not just the celebration of the San Francisco Giants winning three World Series championships in five years, it’s also the celebration of being a father and a son.” —John Rothmann, radio talk show host
“…chronicles three championship seasons.”
“Joseph Sutton’s “San Francisco Giants: A Fan’s Journal” chronicles three championship seasons. The hook of it is not only a succinct journal of San Francisco’s three World Series titles in five years, but it’s also interwoven with Sutton’s experiences coaching his son’s Little League teams more than twenty years ago.” —Marty Lurie, KNBR-AM radio sports show host
“…truly remarkable.”
“As a father of an 11-year old Little Leaguer, I find Joseph Sutton’s “San Francisco Giants: A Fan’s Journal” truly remarkable. It’s touching what he writes about his own son as a Little Leaguer. This book is a gem.” —Richard Vogel, psychologist
“Joseph Sutton has created a rare story…”
“Joseph Sutton has created a rare story that everyone will want to read — kids, adults, baseball fans, anyone who wants to know that with a little pluck and perseverance we all could end up in first place.” —George Samsa, Amazon book reviewer
“What a great idea…”
“What a great idea Joseph Sutton has, combining the San Francisco Giants’ three World Series championship seasons with reflections on coaching his son’s Little League teams over two decades earlier.” —Bernie Schneider, author of Glory and Heartbreak: The History of Intercollegiate Men’s Basketball in the SF Bay Area
“…A Class of Leaders is amusing, heart-warming and instructive.”
“As a former teacher, I think Joseph Sutton’s A Class of Leaders is amusing, heart-warming and instructive.” —Judith Levy-Sender
“A Class of Leaders…moves briskly and has a moral…”
“A Class of Leaders is a wonderful novel. It’s well told, moves briskly, has a moral, and it looks back at a time (1969) and place (South Central Los Angeles). A great read! I could see it as a Showtime movie.” —Gary Turchin, author of The Silly-Verse Universe and If I Were You
“The students’ voices…are exceptional.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed A Class of Leaders. The students’ voices, in their speech and written notes, are exceptional. It’s Joseph Sutton’s best.” —Gerald Rosen, author of The Carmen Miranda Memorial Flagpole and Cold Eye, Warm Heart
“I was intrigued with the whole concept of the democratic classroom…”
“I was intrigued with the whole concept of the democratic classroom in A Class of Leaders and how Joseph Sutton brought it to life. I was thoroughly impressed with the way he captured the dialogue and attitudes of the African-American students of the late 1960s. I don’t think any writer, black or white, has ever done it better.” —Bernie Schneider, author of Glory and Heartbreak: The History of Intercollegiate Men’s Basketball in the SF Bay Area
“…a captivating read…”
“I couldn’t put A Class of Leaders down. Joseph Sutton’s novel is a captivating read with fascinating insights and interesting subplots.” —Ray Balbes, artist
“I was almost in tears…”
“I was almost in tears after finishing Joseph Sutton’s A Class of Leaders.” —Hal Goldstein, actor
“…an innovative approach to teaching…”
“It was the time of riots, drugs and the Vietnam War. It was 1969. Josh Sampson, a white teacher in an all black inner-city high school, decides to take an innovative approach to teaching his pupils…”
“I love the honesty and authenticity of Joseph Sutton’s voice.”
“I love the honesty and authenticity of Joseph Sutton’s voice. The fear of the writer is revealed in his book Write Now!, mirroring the fear of humans who don’t usually say it out loud but who need the writer to say it for them.” —Jo-e Simon, artist and writer
“…I could identify with so much.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Joseph Sutton’s Write Now! Again, like in his Morning Pages, I could identify with so much. In this case it’s his perseverance and his encounters with the whole experience of promoting a book.” —Abby Caplin, holistic doctor
“…the trials, tribulations and downright humiliations of being a writer.”
“Joseph Sutton does it again in Write Now! as he chronicles the trials, tribulations and downright humiliations of being a writer…”
“You become part of the process.”
“Reading Write Now! is like watching a Polaroid picture develop. You become part of the process.” —Delia Moon, film producer, publisher and writer
“Joseph Sutton lets us into his writer’s world…”
“Joseph Sutton lets us into his writer’s world, and into his life, and shows us the way: A daily practice of putting words to page. He makes it seem so simple, this writing business, so available. Anyone can do it…even me. Write Now! is a sage little book that makes me want to write again.” —Gary Turchin, poet
“If you’re a writer or want to be a writer…”
“If you’re a writer or want to be a writer, Write Now! will lead you into the writer’s life–to the life of rejection, questioning your writing abilities, wondering if you’ll ever get published and what to do when no one comes to your book reading. This book is not only the story of the making of a writer, it’s a book that will make you want to write.” —Donald S. Ellis, publisher
“…truly inspiring!”
“Morning Pages is truly inspiring! In fact, so much so, that I have started to write down my own ‘recollections.’ Joseph Sutton makes his stories so personal—I feel like I’m actually there watching him achieve his successes and manage his failures.” —Ray Balbes, artist
“Joseph Sutton is the master of the personal essay.”
Joseph Sutton is the master of the personal essay. In a handful of pages, he tells a small tale and ends each with an epiphany.
“Joseph Sutton…writes in the grand storyteller tradition of Jean Shepherd and William Saroyan…”
Joseph Sutton, God bless him, writes in the grand storyteller tradition of Jean Shepherd and William Saroyan
Bedside bar mitzvah inspires an ‘almost true story’
In Morning Pages, Sutton incorporates several short stories—amalgamating truth and fiction—which appear as if written by Halaby. A writer, Halaby is “having trouble writing” until he stumbles across Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way.
Tackling the Dreaded “Block”
San Francisco writer Joseph Sutton’s novel, Morning Pages: The Almost True Story of My Life, provides a rare glimpse into all the thoughts and feelings a writer has in the quest to do what writers do—write! Yet there is one obstacle to the creative process that most writers know all too well—the demon known as “writer’s block.”
The Truth As I Saw It: Joseph Sutton’s Story
Syrian-Jewish writer and Los Angeles native Joseph Sutton (b. 1940) has just published his first novel, Morning Pages: The Almost True Story of My Life, a loosely fictionalized version of his past and present life.