Dorothy Tillman

Eddie Flynn from Brooklyn Dorothy Tillman

Eddie Flynn from Brooklyn is the story of a small boy's struggle to survive in the harsh world of Red Hook in the early days of the 20th century.

For Irish immigrants, survival was a daily challenge: to stay cool in the summer in the too crowded flats; to survive the winter and the illness it inevitably brought.

For the fathers, there was the daily struggle to avoid the warmth and comfort of the saloons and bring home a full pay envelope so the rent would be paid. And for the mothers there was the endless struggle, frequently with a drunken husband, to provide food for an increasing number of children.

At eleven, Eddie faced all these challenges alone. In spite of the fact that people said it couldn't be done, he escaped from the orphanage where his father tried to leave him. Elated by his success, he and his dog, Buddy, set out with confidence to find something to eat and a place to sleep. It was not easy. Some days they ate, some days they didn't. Covered by newspapers, they slept on rooftops, curled together to keep warm.

He's a little boy and some days he cried, burying his tears in Buddy's coat. But always, some thought, some memory brought back his determination.

This is the story of a survivor. It shows what even a small boy can achieve by determination, reliance on himself, and his refusal ever to give up.

He didn't grow up to become a bank president or a famous leader in his country. He grew up to become a man, beloved by his family and those who recognized his achievements.