Memories of the Catskills: The Making of a Hotel (Paperback or Softback)

Awards:

   2013 Gold:  Global EBook Awards -- Art/Graphics.
   2013 Silver:  Global EBook Awards -- Autobiography/Memoirs.
   2013 Silver:  Global EBook Awards -- Humor/Comedy.
   2012 Bronze:  eLit Award  Winner -- Humor.

Memories of The Catskills: The Making of a Hotel, by Alvin L. Lesser, with a foreword by John Conway, Sullivan County Historian, takes the reader back to a time and place that was like no other. Families wishing to get out of the stifling heat of a New York City summer and other nearby crowded areas, found the perfect escape in "the Catskills." By sharing an insider's view of one person's life in this magical arena, Lesser lets readers experience the fun and the work that went into creating a place that people came back to year after year.

Memories of the Catskills is a candid and charming memoir about the rise and fall of the "Borscht Belt." Lesser Lodge, a small hotel where the author spent the better part of his childhood, lies at the center of the heartfelt tale. Famous stars of yesteryear came to entertain in the Borscht Belt at Lesser Lodge. The Lodge survived the depression era and then flourished during the years of economic recovery and growth. Not just the story of the Lesser family, but the warmth of people who made others welcome by providing a respite which made them all family-- entertainers and guests alike.

Memories of The Catskills is a candid and charming memoir about the rise and fall of the "Borscht Belt." Lesser Lodge, a small hotel where the author spent the better part of his childhood, lies at the center of this heartfelt tale.

"I laughed, smiled, and also shed a few tears with the Lesser family. Whether one came from a smaller property, or a large one such as mine, Grossingers, we all traveled the same road...."
--Elaine Grossinger Etess, Grossingers Hotel

"Alvin Lesser's genius for weaving humorous (I'm talking belly laughs here) and tearful memories in rapid fire succession ... a first person grand tale of a bygone era."
--George Sewitt, Highland Mills, NY

"Famous stars of yesteryear came to entertain in the 'Borscht Belt' at Lesser Lodge....Five stars for this one."
--Clark Isaacs, Clark's Eye on Books

"Anecdotes in the book range from Kirk Douglas's father calling out 'cash for clothes' and Jerry Lewis appearing in the Catskill hotels....The spirit of life itself is captured and offered up on these pages."
--Robin Reinach, New York, NY

"The author's voice is matter-of-fact and filled with gratitude. Yet, this reader couldn't help getting the feeling that Alvin Lesser was winking--just a little!"
--Richard Epstein, New York, NY

"What a wonderful gift to all of us....Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of history could be recorded in such a warm, heartfelt and personal manner?"
--Dr. Mitchell S. Cohen, Clarke Summit, PA

"Cross Woody Allen's Radio Days with Dirty Dancing and you will have a sense of the world that Memories of The Catskills recreates...."
--Christine Roberts, Santa Barbara, CA

"Lesser's book makes us feel like we were living that resort life over a half century earlier."
--Phil Brown, Northeastern University Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Health Sciences