Books: Haunch, Paunch and Jowl*

From the Ghetto to Allright-niks Row

The Story. Meyer Hirsch tells the story of his life. First and foremost he was a Jew. Later he was a professional Jew—the Jew in politics. On a keen December evening "in ramshackle New York during the sprawling awkward age of its growth," Meyer, only child of sweatshop workers, grandson of a horse thief, returns from cheder (Hebrew school) to the "two little dark rooms in a rear house, kerosene lamps, water from the yard pump, toilet in back yard . . not even enough crockery or eating...