Explore the vivid memoir of a wandering poet, encountering icons like Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, and Andy Warhol. Witness Stonewall, meet quirky individuals, and trace ancestral roots through 88 unique poems.
The book, Snapshots, is an eloquent tapestry of poetic memoir, woven with threads of history, personal encounters, and profound experiences. The author takes you on a journey through the landscape of his life, painting his past with vibrant strokes of poetry. Each poem is a snapshot, capturing a moment, a person, or a memory in a distinct frame of words.
The narrative unfolds in the author's vagabond days, during which he encounters legendary figures from the Beat Generation, including the likes of bushy-bearded Allen Ginsberg and the revered William Burroughs. Experience the raw energy and passion of the Everyman poet, Bukowski, and the enigmatic silence of Andy Warhol, alongside his superstar Holly Woodlawn.
However, Snapshots is not merely a chronicle of famous faces. It's a celebration of the common man and tales of extraordinary individuals that the author met along his journey. From Les, the postal carrier in San Francisco, to Ann, who survived a plunge off the Golden Gate Bridge, these characters breathe life into the pages of the book.
The author's intimate portrayal of the Stonewall riots offers a window into a pivotal moment in history, from the perspective of an insider, bringing forth a unique, personal account of the monumental event.
Snapshots also delves into the author's ancestry, unveiling fascinating stories of his forefathers, such as Grandpa Tom, the 1900s union organizer, and Great Grandpa McCaffrey, a builder on the iconic Eads Bridge. These familial stories add depth to the author's narrative, grounding the ethereal journey in the solid bedrock of lineage and heritage.
Each of the 88 poems in this book, akin to keys on a piano, plays a unique note in the author's life symphony, creating a harmonious concerto of context. Embark on this poetic journey and witness the world through the lens of a wanderer, a poet, and a memoirist. Dive deep into Snapshots and emerge with a richer understanding of life, history, and humanity.
Thiel, Paul: - Paul Thiel, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, is an esteemed poet, essayist and artist. He holds an AB from Washington University St Louis and an MS in geology from Montana University. He lived in San Francisco for several decades including a lively time in the Haight Ashbury in an old Victorian with hippies and rock musicians during the historic "Summer of Love". It was followed by an intense period in New York City for five years Thiel's rich literary history includes winning the Diana Woods award from Antioch University for his creative-non-fiction story, Stonewall and the Village. His long poem Precambrian was touted in Extensions Magazine, NYC while another CNF story Ticket to Bellevue graced the pages of Oyez Magazine. The author was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from UMSL for his literary work. He attended workshops at Iowa Writers Center, and Washington University Summer Program. He edited and published, Under the Arch, a compilation by St. Louis writers 2004, ISBN#0-9745450-1-5, which was widely praised. His sensitive essay, The Woods, was published in the book A Walk with Nature published by University Professors' Press A natural view from his porch led to the Empty Nest essay, published by the Museum of Americana. Other essays and poems were published over the years.
