Richard Peres

Escape from the Lower East Side Richard Peres

A murder in the old country. A husband's dramatic betrayal. A forgotten tragic tenement fire. Escape from the Lower East Side brings them all together in the true-to-life story of Harris Wolff based on the author's long lost relatives and actual events in 19th century America, including the Civil War and draft riots in New York City. This is a historical, immersive story that transports the reader into the dark, claustrophobic hold of an 1851 sailing ship and the dangerous confines of a lawless and sometimes horrid New York City. Harris is no angel and author Richard Peres, his great grandson, pulls no punches in describing flaws in his character that result in his having simultaneous marriages and families, one in Pittsburgh and the other in New York. It was a time without safety nets, when tragedy could occur at any time and the challenge to simply survive was continual and often daunting. Based on historical records and research, Escape from the Lower East Side will resonate with anyone interested in the bare knuckles history of America and our shared immigrant past.