A Potside Companion

The book is mostly a collection of short stories and articles that have been previously published. They connect well here and, despite their nature, fit nicely together as a whole piece. Except for the poetry section that is. Sorry Burt. But it is only a few pages, which are easily skipped, and therefore won't result in the loss of a rating star.

If you are like me and have been waiting for the next published piece, get this and read it. Hopefully the next full Buddy Polumbo book isn't far behind.


A Potside Companion by Burt "BS" Levy   September 9, 2001
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There was a time when society was blessed with a special group of storytellers, the raconteurs who would spin yarns at great length from no more than a fleeting thought. The stories could be different as you and I, a mesmerizing tale of some near-forgotten misadventure, the humorous lesson of one of life's ironies, or a deeply insightful look at our human nature. We all loved those gifted people because their stories were our stories. They always laid bare a part of the raconteur's soul that we knew too well, but were never brave enough to show of our own.

I was reminded again of just how special those people were while reading Burt Levy's "A Potside Companion". Some of you will be embarrassed to realize that the title refers to a fixture in "the most important room in the house", not something you put on your stove. (Although the book does contain one recipe, for chicken, that I highly recommend you try. Fabulous!) Don't let that bit of whimsy on Burt's part dissuade you from reading the book, though.

"Potside" is an eclectic collection of stories with the automobile as the central theme. Burt tells his stories in a unique casual conversational style. You can imagine yourself standing across the bar from him as he regales you with stories of his life experiences, such as the time he had a Rolls-Royce stolen from him at gun-point, by the "customer", on a New Years Eve test drive. Or the ill-fated attempt to impress a young woman while on a winter Rally in his father's Triumph TR3. Or how he learned the nature of bravery. Each story captures your attention and envelops you until you feel like you are there, watching as the story unfolds. At times Burt meanders, but always in a way that is relevant and revealing. While some of the stories are purely anecdotal, others are poignant reminders of our human frailties. Occasionally Burt takes liberties with the English language, your twelve year-old might ask what some of the allusions to colorful language mean, but he never crosses the line into the depths of bad taste. If there is but one complaint it is that the book is not longer. At 284 pages it isn't short, but Burt's style is so engaging that it leaves you longing to hear more. A lighthearted, easily read book, "A Potside Companion" will be enjoyed by anyone who ever derived pleasure from his or her car.

Other books written by Burt Levy include "The Last Open Road" and "Montezuma's Ferrari".

2001 by John Summerfield