AN ORDINARY MAN...

AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE!

25 New Books by Robert M. Katzman

True Stories of Growing Up in 1950s South Side Chicago

fighting corruption – escaping violence – jewish life – love – ordinary people – entrepreneurship – the meaning of friendship

“You’re stronger than you think, and like me, you can find happiness & love. Don’t give up! It’s been a long & curious road, and I’m grateful for every day. Read my books and find out why!”

– Robert M. Katzman

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Bob's Books Available Now

Lost Boy: On Beating a Child
$29.99
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Chicago Street Kid: On My Own
$29.99
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Black Wings - I'm Jewish: My Guardian Angels Are Black
$29.99
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Judaica: Stories & Poetry
$29.99
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I Seek The Praise of Ordinary Men: Stories & Poetry
$29.99
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Chicago's Forgotten Battle for Queer Rights 1975-80
$29.99
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Get All Six Volumes For the Price of Five

Bob's Autobiography Collection (Vols. 1-6)

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$179.99
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Click any book cover to watch a video about each book!

All sales are final. Special Rates are available for Schools and Bookstores. Learn More
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ABOUT ROBERT M. KATZMAN

Bob was recently interviewed by Greg Berg on WGTD Radio. Click Here to Listen!

Robert M. Katzman is a writer born in 1950 on Chicago’s South Side, who has led a surprising, inspiring life.

A tiny screw in Mayor Daley’s Chicago machine, he dealt with dark complexity and political corruption – starting when he was a 14-year-old runaway from a terrifying, violent, abusive home. At 19, his home-made “Bob’s Newsstand” became nationally known. Determination to stand up for himself and others fueled Bob’s resolve on his relentless journey, through failures and successes.

His lifetime of resilience is motivating to others: despite numerous hardships, Bob refused to give in. His compelling, extraordinary life experiences are revealed in a low-key manner much like a personal, intimate conversation with the author.

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“Bob tells stories. Wonderful stories, spiritual stories, funny stories, quirky stories about living, about life.”
- Dennis Mae
“Bob speaks to all readers, with a unique, candid style, about real life. But he speaks volumes to those who have been roughed up and knocked around, a little or a lot.”
- Bruce Matteson
“In a Katzman story, layers of meaning will dance with you.”
- David Griesemer
“You will never find a better observer and respondent to the questions that life poses to each of us.”
- Raph Pollock

NEW BOOK ALERT!

Turning Parchment Pages

By Robert M. Katzman 135 Pages
A 2,500 mile journey around the Eastern US by a couple in their 70's to visit friends and relatives over 70 or 80 years old. We spent 3 days in each place and everything went smoothly--until it didn't.

$19.99

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MORE BOOKS BY BOB

Turning Parchment Pages
Turning Parchment Pages
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Chicago Urban Legends
Chicago Urban Legends
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Magazine Memories: 30 Years Selling Antique Paper
Magazine Memories: 30 Years Selling Antique Paper
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Chicago Bob… Still Not Out of Print
Chicago Bob… Still Not Out of Print
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Rise, Fall, Rise… Grit & Gumption: My Life as an Entrepreneur
Rise, Fall, Rise… Grit & Gumption: My Life as an Entrepreneur
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Surreal Stories: Amazing True Stories That Defy Logic
Surreal Stories: Amazing True Stories That Defy Logic
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Escaping & Embracing the Cops of Chicago
Escaping & Embracing the Cops of Chicago
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Judaica: Stories & Poetry Vol. 1
Judaica: Stories & Poetry Vol. 1
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Judaica: Stories & Poetry Vol. 2
Judaica: Stories & Poetry Vol. 2
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I Seek The Praise of Ordinary Women: Stories & Poetry Vol. 2
I Seek The Praise of Ordinary Women: Stories & Poetry Vol. 2
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I Seek The Praise of Ordinary People: Stories & Poetry Vol. 3
I Seek The Praise of Ordinary People: Stories & Poetry Vol. 3
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Bob’s Eve Odyssey
Bob’s Eve Odyssey
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Dogs I Have Loved
Dogs I Have Loved
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Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 1
Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 1
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Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 2
Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 2
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Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 3
Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 3
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Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 4
Friendship: To Honor Those Who Showed Up – Stories & Poetry, Vol. 4
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My Father, Israel Katzman
My Father, Israel Katzman
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Travel: Our Sky’s The Limit
Travel: Our Sky’s The Limit
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Book Excerpt

From "Chicago Street Kid: On My Own"

Then, suddenly I saw her from the corner of my eye, sitting all alone, very erect, very crisp and clean in her pastel dress with neat little white gloves on, and her white-blond hair with its thin braids wrapped tightly around her head, like the young farm girl from the movie “Heidi”.

It was Katherine Evans.

The dance was two hours old, nearly over, and not one boy had asked her to dance. But she just sat there, bravely, waiting, waiting, and showing no emotion, like a pale, sad statue in a park.

I thought to myself, this is no good at all.

For her to end eight or nine years at this damn school completely ignored? I wouldn’t stand for it.

First Editions & Collectibles

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE

Attention collectors! Explore the evolution of a writer! Katzman began writing after brain surgery as a way to preserve his memories. His original editions (2003-2018) and other collector’s items are still available and can be signed by the author upon request.

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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Author Robert M. Katzman is available for book reading events, book discussions, and question and answer sessions at colleges, independent bookstores, religious organizations, historical societies, or other groups in the Chicago/Milwaukee metro areas.

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