Make Mine Manhattan: a Memoir

From childhood, Richard William Cooke dreamed of New York City. Despite unbelievable odds, a series of timely and wildly implausible events eventually propelled him from Oregon to Manhattan and an exciting, successful, forty-year business career. This is the story of how that young dream came true. It is also the story of growing up as the son of deaf parents and how their special needs forced both him and his sister to take on the role of parent at an early age. It is also the story of how one man survived behind the shadows of a dark secret that tore at him daily and ultimately created a crisis that sadly affected his marriage and family. With boldness, kindness and humor, the author deftly provides a poignant glimpse into two little-known worlds-the world of the deaf and the world of those who feel they must live one life in order to protect the other, secret one. The story will give hope to others who are, today, living with the same secret, and how through love, understanding, compassion-and the passing of time-even the deepest hurts can heal.