All Souls: A Family Story from Southie

The writing was a lucid, easy style that engages the reader from the initial pages. It was more relevant since Joe and Ma had stopped at my Native American trading post a few weeks ago. They were quite interesting to converse with which established a personal connection to their southie lifestyle.

Great history
I wish my uncle Patrick Madden were still alive, a police officer in Brookline, a man from Ireland with the heart of an angel. I would love to have his perspective on this book. I was so sad read in my this and cannot believe that it happened in my lifetime and I was clueless about it until now. God bless all those who suffered.

I really enjoyed this book! I've read other books about life in "Southie", but this author captured a feel that I've never encountered in the others. His characters are all vividly depicted, and he tells his story with an underlying feeling of humor that lightens the sting of the grim details. Well done!

This book was a good learning experience for me. It showed how poverty can create a cascade effect of crime, drugs, death, depression, etc. It was an interesting story of a white, urban, Irish neighborhood with racial tension and its effects on a family. It was almost like the neighborhood should have been a character in itself. It was well-written, with good flow. It kept me interested. I'm bummed I'm done reading it. Michael MacDonald is a good story-teller. It's a story that is important for people to read for diversity education.

A fascinating and sad story about growing up in South Boston during the days when Whitey Bolger reigned supreme. Southie was made up of Irish poor people, those who wanted to escape either died from a bullet, overdosed on drugs, or committed suicide.

This was such an honest and deeply moving recount of the author's childhood in South Boston. I moved to Boston years ago and regret that I did not know this part of the city's history until reading the book. This is a piece of history that everyone living in Boston must read. 6 stars.

Growing up in a tough and often violent neighborhood but a story also of the humanity of people who are caught in poverty. A gritty look at a part of the world that is not often seen to have any positive Qualities. It is dysfunctional but also very human.

Violence begets violence as innocent lives are destroyed. This is the dirty secret of organized crime in open view. Hope competes with corruption in this well written novel. Thankfully, hope prevails. I recommend this book which disabuses societal naivete.

WHILE BEING IRISH WAS MENTIONED A LOT THE STORY WAS ABOUT STRONG PEOPLE IN TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS A DEFINITION. OF FIGHTING THE FOR THE GOOD LIFE WITHOUT A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THOSE WHO SHOULD BE
THERE FOR THEM.

Horrific but brave family story. Reading this gave me an understanding of what it's life might be like and as a result allow me to experience more compassion for many in those communities. It really is a world unto itself. Thank you for sharing your story Micheal MacDonald.

Bought it again for kindle...such a great book! Being from Boston, I remember these events clearly...if you haven't read this yet, you must buy it now! Then read EASTER RISING by the same author...you will not regret it!

This was a great book exposing what it was really like to grow up in Southie amid the turmoil of the 70s and 80s in Boston. It shows the truth told from the view of someone who experienced it first hand and not from the glamorized view often portrayed in Hollywood films.

the passion and love felt by Michael Patrick MacDonald is a testament onto itself. A story of love and survival with colorful characters. Like the remembrance of those you love who have parted before us, you'll never forget this memoir. A classic.

I begrudgingly started reading this book having been very much involved in black culture and being in law enforcement. No one wants to fault their own. By the time I finished it I had a new appreciation for what people go through when their life circumstances are decided by others. Other cultures, politicians, unscrupulous law enforcement and criminals. I hope I can always carry this lesson with me.

I begrudgingly started reading this book having been very much involved in black culture and being in law enforcement. No one wants to fault their own. By the time I finished it I had a new appreciation for what people go through when their life circumstances are decided by others. Other cultures, politicians, unscrupulous law enforcement and criminals. I hope I can always carry this lesson with me.

The story of struggle, race conflict and poverty is told beautifully in this book. The story is American history we are still trying to overcome. It won't be until more voices such as Macdonalds are heard that we will truly comprehend what equality means. It reminds me of Frank McCourts book Angela's Ashes and leaves me in awe of people who survive.

Enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Heartwrenching story of a family from Southie. I am looking forward to reading Michael Patrick MacDonald's next book when I have the time to leisure read.

I was interested in finding out what South Boston was really like at that time. I did! I was amazed at how people accepted and kept quiet about such bad behavior because they were their neighbors. Were they really helping anyone? Thank God, Michael Macdonald found a way to do some good.

Hurried through my housework to find out who was hurt of died next.

Loved the honesty of the author in writing about his family, and enjoyed getting to know the dept of the characters as well as what really went on in Boston during that time. I almost felt like I was there (even I really didn't want to be there - it certainly wasn't roses). It's amazing to me how some people can simply (well, not always simply) choose a better path for themselves than what so many others around them choose.

This book drew me in from the very start. Brutally frank, by at the same time, loving and endearing. You can clearly feel the pain, the elation, and all of the feelings in between. I highly recommend this book.

With such a busy world, I loved learning about social events - within my own lifetime - that continue to impact overall social policy in the US. Perspective is important, and MacDonald provides a view that is easily overlooked in the decision makers chair or office.