Back Where I Came From Author:A. J. Liebling Back Where I Came From was Liebling's first book, and in it one sees initial glimmers of the kinds of colorful characters he would, over the course of his decades at the New Yorker, introduce to his ever-growing audience. This rollicking tour of the more amusing sideshows to be found in the master journalist's native city features memorable figu... more »res, such as the Mayor of Mulberry Street, whose responsibilities include keeping tabs on people's trips to Coney Island, because an uneven number of dips in the sea would be certain to cause rheumatism; a professional faster who weighs 260 pounds and a professional eater who weighs 180; and a tugboat captain who sounds just like a real-life Popeye ("I am seventy-four years old and I can jump out of that window and jump back again.") With wry wit and knowing affection, one of the finest, and funniest, journalists of all time brings to life the city he loves-its speakeasies, gyms, markets, and waterfront. Back Where I Came From is vintage Liebling, sure to enchant Gotham's fans and foes alike.« less