Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin

By Chaz Holesworth
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Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin is the first volume in the life story of Chaz Holesworth. He was born and raised in some unusual and unique circumstances; he was raised by a heroin addict father and a born-again Christian mother in the slums of Philadelphia. They were dirt poor growing up and had gangs and drug dealers on every corner. This story is to show some of the horrific things that happened to him and how he overcame them and kept moving forward. On his journey of survival, he found his most important outlet in music, especially the music of R.E.M. and Tori Amos. He also found comfort in friends who became like family to him. His memoir is both heart-warming and heartbreaking at times. He hopes to inspire others who may be in dire circumstances to rise above and succeed.


About the Author

Chaz Holesworth was born and raised in Philadelphia. He currently lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and beloved dog. Holesworth is passionate about many social issues, especially the rights of workers and animals. Chaz also enjoys live music, good beer, and travel when he gets the chance. Life and How to Live It is his first novel.

Published: 2024
Page Count: 416

Customer Reviews

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Midwest Book Review, Diane C. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
A memoir worthy of contemplation for its insights

The first volume of Chaz Holesworth's memoir 'Life and How to Live It,' Begin the Begin, depicts a childhood in Philadelphia where an addicted father and born-again Christian mother raised their family.

Holesworth was born on a winter's day in the late 1970s, "the worst of times." From here, he reviews family influences, early gang struggles, and the overall atmosphere of growing up in Philadelphia's slums. These experiences influenced his family and his life, setting boundaries and creating obstacles and angst that permeated his world.

Holesworth's inspections come steeped in personal reflection as well as social insight. From how his mother kept falling into patterns of attraction to addicts, to being a young "Jesus freak" himself and honing the spiritual, psychological, and physical skills that would ultimately contribute to his street savvy and personal survival, Holesworth creates a powerful inspection of influences and motivations for change. He creates a read both engrossing and candid:

"In 1988, I was 10, poor as shit, and going to summer camps where I had to fight other campers like Rich the bully, who pushed me into a pile of horse shit."

From high hopes, God's influence, and new possibilities to dashed dreams and survival tactics, Begin the Begin is a memoir replete with powerful memories and accompanying insights. These reflect upon good and bad choices, religion's influence on the family's life, and how Holesworth came to identify the "bullshit" in his life and opt for new ways of being.

Many of the insights on Christian propaganda and direction will give pause for thought to religious readers interested in the impact of their direction on poverty and inner-city experience. Book club discussions could revolve around this and other topics of growth, survival, and community influence.

Begin the Begin features many hard-hitting, powerful examples of coming of age under the worst of conditions in America. It also delivers the message that achievement can come to anyone - often, in spite of backgrounds, poverty, and influences that repress.

Astute and frank in its life journey, Begin the Begin is a memoir worthy of contemplation for its insights on weakness, poverty, and religious, social, and political party lines.

C
Charles Holesworth

This book is sad and triumphant and points and worth the read. The author doesn’t hold back from the tragic details of his life story.