Zelig's Odyssey

Book excerpt: In 1926, eighteen-year-old Zelig Camiel, a Polish Jew and natural-born mischief-maker, leaves his village and heads for the United States. Unfortunately, President Coolidge has no interest in Jews, and Zelig picks the next best place-Cuba. He ekes out a living painting Catholic saints in the streets of Havana. When he runs out of holy men, he creates his own. In this engaging biography, author Shimon Camiel shares the heartwarming story of his father's journey from Poland to America. After his escapades in Cuba, Zelig moves on to Mexico City, and a whole set of entrepreneurial endeavors as he teams with two Jewish women of the street. Constantly restless, Zelig travels toward Baja, California, trying to get as close as possible to his family in the United States. He leaves Mexico City for Tijuana, working his way up from bottle washer to head croupier in a lush gambling casino. Time passes, and Zelig answers fortune's call again, searching for his rightful place in the world. With wit and wisdom, Camiel explores his father's adventurous life in a unique and entertaining style, drawing you into an exciting, forgotten time.