Rants & Rhymes for the Present Times

By Price World Publishing

Rants & Rhymes for the Present Times is a wonderful collection of more than 90 biting and witty poems on politics, philosophy, current events, and everything in between. Written by the founder and former operator of Manhattan’s famed Lucky’s Juice Joint, Shelly “Lucky” Stein has been presenting these poems for years at open mics and poetry readings throughout New York City and Upstate New York.

Now 71, Shelly’s rants & rhymes are an expression of both the joy and outrage that he has felt as he has witnessed firsthand the changes in American society and lifestyle throughout the last six decades. The racial intolerance, homophobia, and religious bigotry that were constant realities in his childhood are diminishing, but the ongoing poverty, senseless environmental destruction, and avarice of our leaders is what fuels his poems. It is this duality of joy and anger that Shelly expresses in his writings.

Topics such as McCarthyism, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Kennedys, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Sex-Drugs-Rock n’ Roll, Yuppies, and our current 24 hour news cycle are all blended together like ingredients in a giant smoothie, each pouring out as a poem.

The book includes more than 30 beautiful photographs conceptualizing the author’s vision of the feelings and soul of the inner city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Price World Publishing
• Release date: Dec 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781619842397

Book preview

A Poet Prince, Shelly Lucky Stein’s Rants and Rhymes for the Present Times is a collective, coherent, prayer for humanity’s survival through its lowest ebb.

We are on our knees as Stein illuminates the cogent direction through the maze of smoke and mirrors.

Closely follow Sheldon’s directive and call to action – our future can be greatly enhanced by the trail he has blazed for us with this rough-hewn road map.

—  Arnold Newman, Ph.D.

Executive Director

International Society for the Preservation of the Tropical Rainforest

Author of three best selling books on tropical forest preservation/global warming

Recipient of the Southern California Motion Picture Council Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Contribution to Humanity, as well as the National Humanitarian Award honoring America’s Best Role Models.

Shelly Lucky Stein's book Rants & Rhymes for the Present Times is a must-read. Its unique vision of reality unfolds in an array of sparkling images and profound analysis. Shelly tells his truth on life in an entertaining, artistic, no holds-barred way that flows from one image to the next. His collection of photographed images and graffitti is astounding and is a great compliment to his writing.

—  Basha Alperin-Alade

children's activist, educator, playwright, filmmaker and percussionist

Founding Director of ZEYBRAH, which is dedicated to the cultural enrichment and education of children and young adults.

Shelly Lucky Stein’s righteously indignant spot on rants resonate with power, precision and passion to anyone who is awake, alert and cares about not just the human condition but the individual person. If you believe that It’s all for one and one for all Stein is your go to philosopher.

—  Gary Michaels

Publisher of The Gourmet Cokebook and Courtside: The Fans Guide to Pro Basketball

I have known Shelly for a long time. It has been interesting and fun to watch his wry and sardonic sense of humor develop in his writings over the years. He has an unusual perspective and a unique way of expressing himself. I look forward to seeing and hearing more in the future.

—  Emen Levy

Artist,

Environmental Activist,

Founder of Artists in Action

It’s hard for a poet and a pundit to coexist in the same skin. Shelly Lucky Stein pulls it off. He’s like a reporter rappin’ to jazzy grooves, a journalist giving us cool jive, moving us and making us want more.

—  George Petros, author of Art That Kills and The New Transsexuals

Shelly Lucky Stein has written a collection of poems like none other. He combines wit, vitriol and humor and mixes them together with a New Yahk attitude. This book is not to be missed.

—  Phil Stellar, Humorist – Writer – Warmup Artiste, CBS/NBC

Rants & Rhymes

for the Present Times

By Shelly Lucky Stein

Published by Price World Publishing

1300 W Belmont Ave Ste 20G

Chicago, IL 60657-3200

Copyright © 2012 by Shelly Lucky Stein

All rights reserved.