NOW AVAILABLE

FIGURING OUT LIFE
A Memoir of my Early Years

After the tragic death of his father, Smook, his older brother, Roger, and their mother must find their way forward against the backdrop of the Great Depression and WWII. Smook relates his school years, laced with memorable classmates and neighbors, his newspaper delivery job, the movies he enjoyed seeing, while adding many personal, cultural, and historical details. The author's strong voice is apparent from the very first page. Smook displays a narrative control of language that is conversational and intensely readable, with a good sense of forward momentum and a knack for introducing provoking details.

Reviews

"There is something deeply moving about a memoir that looks back not only at historic events like the Great Depression and the Second World War, but at the everyday experiences that truly shape a person: the relationships, neighborhoods, small responsibilities, and moments of loss that gradually teach us who we are becoming. Your story reminds us that history is ultimately lived one life at a time. 
What especially stood out to me is the remarkable balance between personal memory and historical reflection."
- Sophia Dane, Radio Host of Ink-on Air

"This is a compellingly told memoir bursting with period details, providing a time capsule of 1930s and 40s North American urban life during WWII. It is an educational narrative of an individual life that also speaks to larger historical and cultural experiences."
- Isabella Ranallo, June 2025​
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BUY YOUR COPY NOW

Your can order your copy of Gary A. Smook's Figuring Out Life from most major online book retailers.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

THE 100 GREATEST COMPOSERS AND THEIR MUSICAL WORKS
​An Introduction to the Fascinating World of Classical Music

​by Gary A. Smook
(FriesenPress, 2019)

His fascinating exploration takes you inside the rich music and colorful lives of the world’s greatest classical composers. From Bach to Stravinsky and beyond, you will learn how the unique life stories of these gifted composers are reflected in the musical masterpieces that we enjoy to this day.

Designed as an introductory book on classical music, this comprehensive collection presents biographical snapshots of the major composers in the context of distinct historical and stylistic periods and in relation to their notable contemporaries. Special attention is given to recognizing their prominent musical works. The book delineates the many forms of instrumental and vocal music; and it explores the “basics” of tonality, musical structure, performance criteria, the orchestra and its instruments, orchestration, chamber music, and the cataloguing of musical works. As well, the newcomer to classical music will find advice on building a musical library.

This book is an excellent source of information about classical music in a unique and entertaining format. It will help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of classical music, through the great musical heritage of these fine composers.

Reviews

“This compendium of musical biographies offers useful insights and accessible descriptions of various styles, composers and periods. .....should serve as a helpful and handy guide to those new to the genre.”
-Kirkus Reviews


"An absolutely terrific reference written for laymen by a lifelong lover of classical music . . . at once accessible and incredibly informative."
-Editor, FriesenPress

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PURCHASE

BUY YOUR COPY NOW

Your can order your copy of Gary A. Smook's The 100 Greatest Composers and Their Musical Works from most major online book retailers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gary A. Smook

Gary Smook's formative years were in Oakland, California, after which he attended the University of California in nearby Berkeley to obtain his BS in Chemical Engineering. He then spent 18 years in the paper industry at various locations before accepting a position at the British Columbia Institute of Technology where he taught pulp and paper technology for 20 years. Lacking a good relevant textbook, Gary wrote "The Handbook for Pulp and Paper Technologists" which became the 'bible for the industry'. Now in its 4th edition, this book has sold over 80,000 copies. After retiring from teaching, Gary also wrote a well-received introductory book about classical music entitled "The 100 Greatest Composers and their Musical Works".

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