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| Book Reviews: "You will smile, laugh, and cringe with horror as you read his efforts to survive in the Mob-controlled  environment of South Boston. While he has always been remarkably courageous, Tom has not always had the wisdom to match." Izzy Kalman, Nationally Certified School Psychologist (Bullies2Buddies.Com newsletter, “Recommended Reading”)
"The Constant Outsider” is a well written memoir that gets you to think about the impact your actions, even the most ordinary ones, have on others. Tom tells a story that so many of us can relate to. Whether you grew up on a city block or in a rural suburb, you'll find a lot in common with Tom, a guy who often bucked the system to live a decent life." Jordan Rich, WBZ Radio, Boston
"Folks! Read the book now, because when they start filming the movie you'll be able to say. ‘I read that when!’ I give it the Cranberry Country Journal Excellent Read Recommendation." Paul Lazarovich, WVBF Radio/Cranberry Country TV
"He really is like the rest of us, often just trying to fit in, even if it required standing up, and putting up a fight." Christopher Lovett, Boston Neighborhood Network News T V
"His story is one wrought with tension, danger, love, laughter, tales of poor judgment, and the lessons to be learned from a life lived on the edge. It’s a multifaceted, complex, interesting story." Nikki Pringle/ReaderViewes.Com | |
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  Fun,hilarious and crazy times - Memoirs we can all relate to., February 10, 2010 Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?   |
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: A gritty view of life..., December 6, 2009 The Constant Outsider, a memoir by Thomas M. Cirignano, chronicles his life while growing up in South Boston during some of the city's most turbulent times. He writes firsthand accounts about forced bussing, racism and the violence of the mobsters who ruled the streets. The author recounts the difficulties he encountered while growing up in an Italian family in predominantly Irish neighborhoods. That never stopped him from trying to make friends even when his attempts to impress the kids led to taking chances that would almost kill him. Mr. Cirignano took even greater risks when he entered adulthood and began drinking.
What impressed me the most about the book is the author's gritty resolve in the face of adversity. Mr. Cirignano clung to that trait whether struggling to keep control of his motorcycle hitting a guardrail at nearly eighty miles per hour or inserting himself in the midst of a group of teens he wanted to befriend. He never backed down nor abandoned his principals to make a few dollars or seek revenge.
I highly recommend The Constant Outsider for the life lessons contained within the book.
Patricia Perry- author
Quest for the Source of Darkness
The Fortress of Darkness
The Edge of Darkness: The Final Battle
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: A MUST Read, August 1, 2009 Definitely a page turner! Living in the Boston area myself, it was really interesting reading about how fun and sometimes dangerous Boston used to be. There are many great stories of Tom's life and I hope to read more very soon. I can see this biography being turned into a movie one day and when it is I will be first in line to get tickets!!! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? |
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Reflects many emotions, February 9, 2009 Great book! The reader can almost feel the emotions Tom felt in his journey from childhood into being a productive adult. Some of the happenings will put you on edge. Tom had experiences that many of us only see in the movies. Other experiences will make you roar with laughter. Very enjoyable reading. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? |
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  A tale of finding acceptance, August 13, 2008
"The Constant Outsider" is the autobiography of Tom Cirignano, a man who grew up in the working-class neighborhoods of Boston, including South Boston, Dorchester and Braintree. While he isn't famous, his story is one wrought with tension, danger, love, laughter, tales of poor judgment, and the lessons to be learned from a life lived on the edge.
Growing up as an Italian boy in the predominantly Irish neighborhood of Dorchester, Tom got his first taste of being an outsider. He did not understand why he was being alienated by the other kids. He was ignored and excluded from playing in the street ball games, and had few friends, because he was from a different ethnic group. His father managed a relatively successful gas station and repair shop, Emerson Auto, and he would often come home with gifts for his son that the other kids saw and envied, which led to even further ostracism.
As he got older Tom worked in, and eventually managed, Emerson Auto. He still felt the prejudice against himself as a teenager and adult when he moved from town to town because he was not from these neighborhoods and was therefore an "outsider." Not one to be cast aside, Tom did his best to incorporate himself in to a group of young men that hung out at the neighborhood high school and, then as an adult, to gain acceptance in the local taverns and restaurants. Through his perseverance, he was able to make some great and lasting friendships.
"The Constant Outsider" by Thomas M. Cirignano is a tale of bullying, fistfights, drinking and the problems that go along with it, mob connections and run-ins, like the one with well-known crime boss Whitey Bulger, theft and loss. It is a tale of finding acceptance, learning and growing from personal and professional mistakes, faith and love. It is a multifaceted, complex, interesting story. As the author tries to impress upon his readers during the course of his story, if a South Boston mechanic has a tale to tell, so do you. Write it down, even if you don't plan to share it as Tom Cirignano did. You just might be surprised how interesting your life has been. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? |
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Hilarity & Humanity, July 23, 2008 From the 1950s through the 1980s we get to hang out with the locals of South Boston who didn't "pahk theia cahs in Hahvahd Yahd." They were just the neighborhood folks with stories of their own as seen through the eyes of one of their own, Tom Cirignano. This is not just a true story of a regular guy, but a story about how a family, a group of friends, and a neighborhood makes us who we are.
Having myself been born & raised in the big city, (Philadelphia), I could parallel some of my own experiences & experiences of friends & family with those of the author: Close calls, traffic tickets, too much to drink, taking risks, and so forth. Philly has its tough, gritty neighborhoods just like Boston.
The book takes many turns: hilarity, humanity, heartbreak, and high jinks. It's the sort of book that just screams, "Cable TV mini-series!"
Think Brando's "Wild One" meets "Sanford & Son."
My only complaint would be that some of those vignettes left me wanting more information. Well done biography by a first time writer.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: great author great stories, July 5, 2008 I loved this book because it's
real life, stories you will
be able to relate to. You will sit back and say
yeah that's happened to me too! Once you read
The Constant Outsider you will feel like you've known
Tom all your life. and some great life lessons
will be learned , like never eat 2 gallons of fruit salad, and don't ever make a killer mad !
Enough said !! Read the book. It was great! Can't wait for the next
volume! Well worth your money! Keep up th good work tom!! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews |
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