Sting-Ray Afternoons

A Memoir

By: Steve Rushin

Narrated by: Greg Baglia

This is a story of the 1970s. Of a road trip in a wood-paneled station wagon, with the kids in the way-back, singing along to the Steve Miller Band. Of brothers waking up early on Saturday mornings for five consecutive hours of cartoons. Of growing up in a magical era populated by Bic pens, Mr. Clean and Scrubbing Bubbles, lightsabers and those oh-so-coveted Schwinn Sting-Ray bikes. And of a father -- one of 3M's greatest and last eight-track salesmen -- traveling across the country on the brand-new Boeing 747, providing for his family but wanting nothing more than to get home.

In Sting-Ray Afternoons, Steve Rushin paints an utterly nostalgic, psychedelically vibrant portrait of a decade overflowing with technological evolution, cultural revolution, as well as brotherly, sisterly, and parental love.

"Funny, elegiac... a remarkably sunny coming-of-age story about growing up in a Midwest world." -- NPR

Critic reviews

Praise for Sting-Ray Afternoons

One of the Best Books of the Year: Amazon, Gold Digest, Minnesota Public Radio

"If you existed in the 1970s and had any awareness of the world around you, Steve Rushin's Sting-Ray Afternoons is going to hit you like the smell of Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. Smart as heck, laugh out loud funny and warm, Steve Rushin does for 1970s childhoods what Jean Shepherd did for 1940s Christmas. This book is nothing short of a Nadia Comenici Perfect 10."—Julie Klam, author of The Stars in Our Eyes and the New York Times bestseller You Had Me at Woof

"Steve Rushin's Sting Ray Afternoons is a fun and often hilarious account of growing up in the midwest in the 1970s. Throughout the book I was pleasantly reminded of things from my own past-Rushin revisits the TV shows, the toys, the games of the era while telling his family's own story. Sting Ray Afternoon captures both the freedom of youth and the universal longing for experience in a bigger, more adult world. If you grew up in the 1970s, prepare to have your memory triggered."—Craig Finn, songwriter and guitarist, The Hold Steady

"Charming and heartfelt, hilarious and touching, Rushin's Sting-Ray Afternoons is a pitch-perfect portrait of growing up in middle America during the Brady Bunch era. A gem of a memoir, a tribute to family, and a delectable slice of American history."—Nina Sankovitch, author of Tolstoy and the Purple Chair and The Lowells of Massachusetts

"[Rushin's] childhood, from the ages of 3 to 13, was perfectly encapsulated in the 1970s, and he celebrates the excesses and excitement of the decade with ardor.... Rushin's everykid upbringing and the touchstones of childhood he recounts make Sting-Ray Afternoons a fun-filled and charming trip."—Booklist

"Rushin may not have been able to compete with his athletic older brothers for glory on the playing field, but he pleased his parents with a talent for puns and other wordplay... The nostalgic sweetness of his memories...provides convincing evidence that life in the '70s wasn't as chaotic as it's often made out to be."—Kirkus Reviews

"Rushin uses his family as the book's focal point, capturing the nonstop zaniness of growing up with four siblings.... But it's Rushin's dad, a child of the Depression, who steals the show. Whether quoting his father as he describes his five kids...or retelling stories about him being drunk on what was the then new Boeing 747, it's through his father that Rushin captures the mystery and magic of childhood."—Publishers Weekly

"A wild ride through [Rushin's] '70s boyhood in fast-growing Bloomington, Minnesota.... Fiercely funny memoir about family, sports, music, food and fads."—Priscilla Kipp, BookPage

memory lane

Enjoyed this book immensely, it was almost as if I was looking into a mirror of my own childhood. I will treasure this book for a long time to come. And listen to it many times over, especially when I want to take a, stroll down memory lane.

Brilliant Reflections on Childhood in 70's /early

I have always liked Steve Rushin's work with Sports Illustrated. The Chicago born, Minnesota raised writer packs a lot of nostalgia, humor, warmth and some interesting trivia in the ode to life in Suburban Minneapolis in the 70's -to early 80's. You don't have to come from the Midwest or be a sports fan to appreciate this book. I think for a lot of American kids who grew up in that time, this book will resonate with them. I really enjoyed this book and plan on telling some of my other baby boomer and post baby boomer friends about this book.

Loved the memories. I also lived through much of that period.

Narrator was good except for mispronouncing some names important to the story such as the prestigious suburb of Edina. It’s not Ed ee na. It’s Edina with a long I. Some of the hockey names incorrect also. Kind of picky but still important.

enjoyable book

it brought me back...relived some memories. Good book....some interesting facts I Didn't know. laughed out loud at times

WOW!

Amazing! It's like Steve knows me..... what a fantastic book if you grew up in the 1970's, or ever wondered what it was like. Fantastic Book Steve !!