OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "PINKY: Poverty to Prosperity" by Frank Browning Clark.]

I am a fan of memoirs and autobiographies. I love reading a person’s life story in their own words and showing off their unique personality quirks and character nuances. That’s the biggest reason I picked up Pinky: Poverty to Prosperity by Frank Browning Clark. This book details the stories of his life; starting with his birth in 1937 and concluding with his current-day retirement years. He also shares a bit of family lore and history and writes about the Clark family before his parents were married and had children, foreshadowing what was to come later in his life.

Frank “Pinky” Clark did not begin his life with a silver spoon in his mouth. The Clark family was incredibly poor and lived on the brink of homelessness for the majority of Frank’s growing up years. His father is described as an irresponsible alcoholic who drank away any good fortune the family ever fell in to. During the very worst time, Frank’s father outright abandons the family and leave no clues as to his whereabouts. The family barely got by on the grit and hard work of their mother and the kindness of neighbors, extended family, and complete strangers. Through this great adversity, Frank and his siblings developed a strong work ethic, the ability to persevere, and an uncanny resourcefulness.

This memoir was memorable to me because it covered such a wide range of topics. Author Frank Browning Clark was successful at a wide range of jobs including service station attendant, law enforcement officer, foreign services officer in Vietnam during the Vietnam war, and multiple positions at the E & J Gallo Winery. He shares very interesting details about each of his jobs and even adds in a bit of humor. Frank Clark married twice and divorced once and had children with both wives and shares some delightful stories about his marriages and his children. He also wrestles with some serious ethical and moral issues concerning his jobs and his family. My favorite parts of this book were the little personal details that showed Frank and his family as real, sweet, and flawed people, just like we all are.

This book had a few minor editorial errors, but they weren’t excessive or distracting. Sometimes the dialogue seemed awkward and forced. I also was turned off by the sexist and racist anecdotes that seemed fairly normal in the 1950s and 1960s, but wouldn’t be tolerated today. Those stories served as a good reminder of how far our society has come over the years.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes memoirs and autobiographies. Those interested in law enforcement or the Vietnam War would also find it interesting. I rated Pinky: Poverty to Prosperity 3 out of 4 stars.


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PINKY: Poverty to Prosperity
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This is the true way of life

Wow! Sounds like a really great memoir. I do enjoy reading about other's lives especially during different time periods. Thanks for sharing this one with us.

It's always my pleasure to read true stories. This book sounds like my type. It very encouraging and motivational from the outlook. Thanks for this great review.

A memoir of determination and perseverance. I'm not that much of a fan on success stories, but I guess it would be a good motivational memoir for those who can relate to it. Thanks for the insightful review.

The book sounds really good, from the review I feel like one can relate to it when going through different situations. Books based on true stories are always a win. Thanks for sharing

Hearing the story about how a person striving for success is really a great help when someone else in hopeless situation.

Psalm 9:18New International Version (NIV) But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish

I like reading autobiographies and this novel seems worth reading . Thank you for such a nice review

That sounds like an interesting memoir,i would not mind giving it a look some time in the future Glad to hear that you loved it.

I love personal stories. Especially those who believe that tough times are temporary. It will be inspirational for me. Hope I can read this book. Nice review! Thanks.

This is a very interesting and well-written review, thanks. You raise a very valid point about whether it's okay to include racist and/or sexist material if it is a reflection of the relevant times. My own opinion is that it should probably remain, but with some kind of foreword to explain that it IS reflecting those times.

A great memoir I presume; this sounds like my kind of read. Reading a of ' from rags to riches' sounds intriguing, to say the least. A great review there.