Home and Away
By Scott Simon
In this memoir that runs from childhood to adulthood through times of war and peace, Scott Simon follows a delightfully meandering path, movingly tracing his life as a fan — of sports, theater, politics, and the people and things he holds dear. Although the narrative moves in and out of some of the world’s great datelines, it is ultimately a Chicago memoir: a love poem for that great, rusty, lusty, most utterly American of cities.
Praise for Home and Away
“Extraordinary…a memoir of such breadth and reach that it compares favorably with another book that is allegedly about the nature of sports allegiance, Frederick Exley’s A Fan’s Notes. And that, believe me, is saying something.”
– Ron Fimrite, Sports Illustrated
“I hope…this fine book the audience it deserves. It is about much more than the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, and Bulls…Simon…has near-perfect pitch for the way sports and politics shaped the city from the 1960s to the 1980s….”
– Jonathan Alter, Washington Monthly
“I think Home and Away may be the best memoir written by a fan I’ve ever read.”
– Ron Rapoport, Chicago Sun-Times
“Simon has written one whale of a tale that kept me engrossed page to page…”
– Larry King, USA Today
“The same zest for life and disarming wit that have made Simon an award-winning host for National Public Radio serve him well in these recollections of a life intertwined with sports….[A]n eloquent, compassionate book.”
– Publishers Weekly
