Albany Trilogy: LEGS by William Kennedy

[Alton]

I picked up this novel Legs over 10-15 yrs. ago but never got more than a few chapters into it.I'm close to finishing it now and I am truly amazed at how good a writer former newsman and SUNY Albany creative writing professor William Kennedy really is.I say is because if I did the math right he is now 82-83 yrs. old and just released another book in 2010-2011.Legs Diamond was a major player in the prohibition era and as fascinating as any of the better known gangsters,but equally as vicious.You owe it to yourself to read this not only as great read but a window into our recent history.Second book in trilogy is Billy Phelan's Greatest Game,and third is the Pulitzer winner Ironweed made into a movie with Nicholson and Streep.

[Sandy Hausler]

I picked up this novel Legs over 10-15 yrs. ago but never got more than a few chapters into it.I'm close to finishing it now and I am truly amazed at how good a writer former newsman and SUNY Albany creative writing professor William Kennedy really is.I say is because if I did the math right he is now 82-83 yrs. old and just released another book in 2010-2011.Legs Diamond was a major player in the prohibition era and as fascinating as any of the better known gangsters,but equally as vicious.You owe it to yourself to read this not only as great read but a window into our recent history.Second book in trilogy is Billy Phelan's Greatest Game,and third is the Pulitzer winner Ironweed made into a movie with Nicholson and Streep.

Being from Albany myself, I love his work. His last book (can't remember the name) was not his best work. Had more to do with Cuba than Albany. But he is one of my favorite novelists.

Sandy Hausler

[AdamYJ]

Being from Albany myself, I love his work. His last book (can't remember the name) was not his best work. Had more to do with Cuba than Albany. But he is one of my favorite novelists.

Sandy Hausler

No kidding. Sandy Hausler's a local boy. I'm in Latham myself. Haven't read any of William Kennedy's stuff myself because he generally doesn't write in my genre, but maybe I'll consider picking up one at the library in the future.

[Sandy Hausler]

No kidding. Sandy Hausler's a local boy. I'm in Latham myself. Haven't read any of William Kennedy's stuff myself because he generally doesn't write in my genre, but maybe I'll consider picking up one at the library in the future.

I grew up in Albany, and my mother lives there, but I have not lived there in decades. I now live in Teaneck, New Jersey. I do get up to Albany from time to time to see my mother.

Sandy Hausler