Jim Meagher's world as a young man in the Irish-American neighborhood of Riverdale, New York, in the 1950s was a familiar and comfortable one, defined by family, church, school, and friendship. But was there something more to experience from life that could only be found outside those friendly confines? What if he could be a great man, with power and influence and riches? Life would soon take him beyond Riverdale--far beyond it--and teach him valuable lessons about duty, honor, and responsibility. Along the way, laughter and love would also be companions as Jim Meagher discovered the new world awaiting him beyond Brush Avenue--and also discovered that power and influence and riches are not always what a young man wants or needs. ""J. F. Powers meets J. D. Salinger in A New World, Bob Keane's engrossing tale of a young man's coming of age in 1950s America."" --James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and The Jesuit Guide Robert M. Keane lives in Burbank, California. He worked for many years as a comedy writer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and other television shows.