“Jerry Portnoy has written <B>an extraordinary and wildly readable account of his myriad adventures</B>, including his apprenticeship to some of the most famous bluesmen in history. His account of the Chicago blues scene and behind-the-curtain tales as Muddy’s harp player<B> fill a crucial hole in the history of the blues.</B> Portnoy is an exceptionally fine writer. . . . His book was a great pleasure to read.” —<B>Sebastian Junger</B>, author of <I>The Perfect Storm</I><BR /><BR /> “A lighthearted and mostly affectionate accounting of a remarkable career.” <I><B>— Library Journal</B></I><BR /><BR /> “[A] lively and entertaining memoir” — <I><B>Booklist</B></I><BR /><BR /> “Portnoy is a skilled, engaging writer and his book is a personal journey through postwar America, filled with anecdotes, personalities, and examinations of twentieth century American cultural phenomena — baseball, pool, army service, hippie culture, and the brief, shining moment when Americans listened to the blues.” — <B><I>Jewish Book Council</I></B>

“Jerry Portnoy has written <B>an extraordinary and wildly readable account of his myriad adventures</B>, including his apprenticeship to some of the most famous bluesmen in history. His account of the Chicago blues scene and behind-the-curtain tales as Muddy’s harp player<B> fill a crucial hole in the history of the blues.</B> Portnoy is an exceptionally fine writer. . . . His book was a great pleasure to read.” —<B>Sebastian Junger</B>, author of <I>The Perfect Storm</I><BR /><BR /> “A lighthearted and mostly affectionate accounting of a remarkable career.” <I><B>— Library Journal</B></I><BR /><BR /> “[A] lively and entertaining memoir” — <I><B>Booklist</B></I><BR /><BR /> “Portnoy is a skilled, engaging writer and his book is a personal journey through postwar America, filled with anecdotes, personalities, and examinations of twentieth century American cultural phenomena — baseball, pool, army service, hippie culture, and the brief, shining moment when Americans listened to the blues.” — <B><I>Jewish Book Council</I></B>

“Jerry Portnoy has written <B>an extraordinary and wildly readable account of his myriad adventures</B>, including his apprenticeship to some of the most famous bluesmen in history. His account of the Chicago blues scene and behind-the-curtain tales as Muddy’s harp player<B> fill a crucial hole in the history of the blues.</B> Portnoy is an exceptionally fine writer. . . . His book was a great pleasure to read.” —<B>Sebastian Junger</B>, author of <I>The Perfect Storm</I><BR /><BR /> “A lighthearted and mostly affectionate accounting of a remarkable career.” <I><B>— Library Journal</B></I><BR /><BR /> “[A] lively and entertaining memoir” — <I><B>Booklist</B></I><BR /><BR /> “Portnoy is a skilled, engaging writer and his book is a personal journey through postwar America, filled with anecdotes, personalities, and examinations of twentieth century American cultural phenomena — baseball, pool, army service, hippie culture, and the brief, shining moment when Americans listened to the blues.” — <B><I>Jewish Book Council</I></B>