Sting-Ray Afternoons: A Memoir

Steve Rushin

Jul 2017 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

This is a story of the 1970s. Of a road trip in a wood-paneled station wagon, with the kids in the way-back, singing along to the Steve Miller Band. Of brothers waking up early on Saturday mornings for five consecutive hours of cartoons. Of growing up in a magical era populated by Bic pens, Mr. Clean and Scrubbing Bubbles, lightsabers and those oh-so-coveted Schwinn Sting-Ray bikes. And of a father -- one of 3M's greatest and last eight-track salesmen -- traveling across the country on the brand-new Boeing 747, providing for his family but wanting nothing more than to get home.

In Sting-Ray Afternoons, Steve Rushin paints an utterly nostalgic, psychedelically vibrant portrait of a decade overflowing with technological evolution, cultural revolution, as well as brotherly, sisterly, and parental love.

"Funny, elegiac... a remarkably sunny coming-of-age story about growing up in a Midwest world." -- NPR

Ratings and reviews

I also spent my childhood in the Midwest during the 1970's. The location was Wisconsin and I was born in 1969, but I share many memories with the author. Like the stockades at the Dells or the backseat of a wood-paneled station wagon. This book was a trip down memory lane for me and every page was an easy turn. Thank you for the journey.

About the author

Steve Rushin has been writing for Sports Illustratedfor the last 25 years and was the 2006 National Sportswriter of the Year. His work has been collected in The Best American Sports Writing, The Best American Travel Writing, and The Best American Magazine Writing. He lives in Connecticut.