Sting-Ray Afternoons: A Memoir

Hey, maybe as a kid Steve Rushin saw the writer's life as one of easeful repose; it's a common enough misperception, and one that he's sought to perpetuate, describing his scribbling as a kind of offhand endeavor. Sorry about that: I don't believe it of his sportswriting, and I sure don't believe it of Sting-Ray Afternoons. As a journalist once put it: "Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead." Sting-Ray is a small, incandescent work of memory, imagination and artistry, and books like this don't come easily. With what I suspect was far greater effort than he would let on, Rushin has accomplished the memorialist's task: to find shape and meaning in his own life, and to make it interesting and pertinent to us readers. In lovely, funny, acrobatic prose, he's told a story that's deeply American, one in which you'll find echoes of your own, yet in the end is very much his own.

I read this book like I read the Sears Christmas Wish Book as a child - with hunger and zeal. So many great memories unearthed in this read but with a message as well, revealed with subtlety with the turn of a page. Such a treasure. One of my new all-time favorites. Simply a wonderful story told by a man skilled in his craft.

I am a 74 year-old woman who reared three children in a small Midwestern town in the 70's. Steve Rushin's story is his, not mine, but it certainly has elements with which I identified. Beyond that, it is just a great read. It is very unusual for a book to make me laugh out loud but this one did. His writing is as enjoyable as his story. Can you tell I loved this book? I read a lot, and I seldom give any book more than three stars because I find most of the things that I read are ordinary good books. I am giving this book 5 stars and recommending it for anyone from YA on up who likes a good and well written story.

As evocative a book about my childhood as I have ever read. Steve Rushin captures all the sporting, and lots of the cultural, highpoints of growing up a sports crazed kid in the 1970's and 80s. I wore Tuff Skins and Jeepers and PF Flyers and dreamt of my first pair of low-cut black Cons with red laces from Herb's Sport Shop. These sneakers were $9.99 and absolutely out of reach for my family, yet my Mother surprised me one day taking me on the bus to get those shoes. I could not have loved her any more then I did at that minute. One Friday afternoon I raced out of school to get to Little League practice only to forget I had ridden my Sting-Ray (gold with a tan seat) to school. I did not remember that until I was lying in my bed. Such a dilemma, if I go out and tell my parents they are apt to take the bike away from me. If I say nothing it may get stolen. I raced out of the house at 6:30 the next morning and the sigh of relief as I turned that school yard corner was epic.The sports allegiances, the agony of defeat, the favorite players, the moments with my Dad...he captured all of those. I have to add I am extremely proud of the author when he writes about his Mom coming in as the substitute teacher and describes his armpit as "flagrant" eschewing (must have killed him to do so), the more Rushinesque "flagrant, fragrant armpit."author

Steve Rushin has created a masterpiece. This book is absolutely riveting for any American male who came of age in the seventies. I couldn't put it down and laughed the whole time. I have given it to my 19 year son to read so that he has better insight into in his father's boyhood. I have already sent copies to friends. Well done Steve!

It's hard to tell if it is because I am reading this in the summertime, which always seems a time of nostalgia for me, or if it's because it came out at a time in my life when I long for simpler times. But Steve Rushin has created an absolutely charming trip down memory lane for me. His witty descriptions coupled with his mastery of social interactions has left me wanting for many, many more books such as this one. Truly a must-read for any male from any generation.

I’ve long enjoyed and respected Sports Illustrated columnist Steve Rushin’s writing. After reading an early spring SI excerpt from his new memoir, Sting-Ray Afternoons, I knew I needed to track a copy down. The book hit store shelves in July, and if you came of age in the 1970s or 1980s, I recommend you track down a copy, too.Sting-Ray Afternoons celebrates the wonder of the Sear’s Wish Book Christmas catalog, the sweeping station wagon-mania that filled family garages and interstates for a decade, the rise of shopping mall culture, the popularity of various must-see television programs so many of us eagerly awaited each week of our childhood then discussed at school the next day, and similar elements, including Schwinn’s runaway best-selling bicycle, the Sting-Ray. Although Rushin uses sports news and events to highlight important moments and life stages, you need not be a sports fan to enjoy this memoir. Rushin’s travelogue, Road Swing, is another example of his considerable capacity to leverage sports when exploring life’s more impacting components.

I'm only a very short way into this book, but so far it is fantastic. As a young boy growing up in the 1970's, this book brings back amazing memories. It's a little pricey, but if you know someone who grew up in the 70's or was a parent in the 70's, then this is the book for you. My husband goes over to my elderly parents' house to work on projects my Dad can no longer do. My 2 brothers go when they can. My husband brought over an excerpt from this book that his boss had given him and Dad and my brothers read it. They got quite a few chuckles out of it so I'm giving almost everybody this book for Christmas! I'm positive that "Sting-Ray Afternoons" will go on the New York Times best sellers list, if it hasn't already.

Growing up in Western Canada a few years older we went through almost identical events and touch stones. Including being in California when Elvis died. We were in Anaheim actually visiting Disney Land. We couldn't afford it either so we had look alike "Mustangs". My friend had the Sting-Ray complete with the 3-speed knob shifter mounted on the cross bar. Car: ours was a Chev Beaumont station wagon and then a Dodge Monaco. Wood grained paneling of course. And then there was basketball too. Except I came from soccer as opposed to football. I had cousins that played pro football, so Steve would be all over that. Parallel universe.

I read this as a sample from SI. I bought it. Put it down. Then picked it up again. I'm really glad I did. It starts reading Luke a shopping list of growing up in the 1970s but before I realized it I became committed to the family. I was born in 1972 but it could have been my family in many ways. The book reminds me of what we have lost,and what we will never have again.

If you came of age in 1960S thru 1970s North America you will recognize all of the references, advertising jingles, etc. He is a talented writer who can evoke belly laughs and tears. Reminds me of John Irving in that he spins a great tale and is really funny, but mercifully lighter.

My heart is full. I cried, i laughed, reminiscing of these days long gone yet forever imprinted in my soul. Well written

Takes you back to the good Old days of the 70’s.Brought back fond memories of earlier family days