Hometown Boy: The Hoodle Patrol and Other Curiosities of Baltimore [Paperback]

Rafael Alvarez is a writer for the Baltimore Sun and this book is a collection of essays about the quirks of Baltimore. Broken down into sections including People, Landmarks, Business, etc., I found this book fascinating. It is the perfect gift for anyone who lives in Baltimore, is traveling to the city or has a special affinity for Charm City. The essays are long enough to give lots of detail about the subject but short enough so that the reader does not get bored. Even if you have spent your whole life in Baltimore you will learn something new in this book. My only complaint is that there is no index. The amount of fact contained in this book really demands it.

Hometown Boy

By Rafael Alvarez

Book Review

By Richard E. Noble

This book was given to me as a gift by the author over 15 years ago. He autographed and inscribed it to me and my wife, Carol. I still have it. In fact, I'm looking at it sitting right here at my computer table.

Here is a great human interest tale just like all the others the author has immortalized in this volume.

Mr. Alvarez was on his way to a book signing somewhere, when he decided to stop at Hobo's Ice Cream Parlor. Hobo's was my little shop located in the town of Carrabelle in the Florida Panhandle. Being an aspiring writer all my life, I had poems framed and tacked to the walls; homemade tapes of my stories that I had "mass" recorded on my Karaoke and sold for five bucks each; leaflets on various subjects with advertisements pasted in here and there; and shelf after shelf of used books for sale. I'm a book freak.

The author struck up a conversation with me. To his surprise, he found that I was also born in Baltimore, in the same hospital where he was born, St. Agnes'. Quite a coincidence, I would say.

As we talked, we found more things in common: catholic education, ethnic parents, a love of the written word, a connection with "real" people and real things - the things that matter to all of us and not just the rich and famous, and a determination to write. Finally Rafael scurried out to his car and brought me a copy of his latest achievement. I think this was his first success.

This is a great book. The stories are not just "Baltimore." They are stories about all of us: the little man who changed the light bulbs in the "big sign" for the last thirty years; the guy who had the hotdog concession at the ball park; the man who drove the train or washed the windows. Then, of course, there are stories about many of the famous places in Baltimore and its local heroes.

I was only in Baltimore a few months. I had no memories of the place ... but I do now.

Interestingly enough, I am just about to publish my own book about the town I grew up in ... Lawrence, Massachusetts. My book is more anecdotal and personal. "Hometown Boy" by Rafael Alvarez on the other hand is quite professional, filled with local history, memorabilia, and a host of interesting characters and stories that even folks not born and raised in Baltimore should find, not only informative, but very entertaining.

PS: Mr. Alvarez, I'd love to hear from you and find out what you are up to these days. Drop me an e-mail if you get a chance and are so inclined:
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Richard Edward Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of:

"Hobo-ing America: A Workingman's Tour of the U.S.A.."

› Go to Amazon U.S. to see both reviews  5.0 out of 5 stars