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Last Thusrday April 4, Ezekiel Emanuel author of the new book “Brothers Emanuel: A Memoir of An American Family” stopped by the Winnetka Community House to chat about and sign his new book. Hosted by The Book Stall, the event had the older Emanuel brother giving excerpts from the book as well as reconnecting with old family friends.
The book which deals with life growing up for the Emanuel Brothers: Ezekiel “Zeke”, Rahm, and Ari touches on all facets of their upbringing with their activist mom and pediatrician dad.
Talking about his younger brother Ari, he said he was a kid who came into this world fighting; when he was being delivered he had nuchal cord which meant the umbilical chord was wrapped around his neck.
The family moved to a place in Buena Terrace where their mom would welcomed and gathered many guests working with her during the civil rights movements which obviously didn’t sit well with neighbors and the fact that the boys were rambunctious.
The older Emanuel brother also noted that Rahm, as middle child, was the peacemaker. After living in the city for a while, their father decided to live the American Dream and he bought a home in Wilmette. Though most people would be overjoyed to come to such a north shore suburb, not the Emanuel brothers. The move to the suburbs meant they had to be dependent on their parents as opposed to when they lived in the city and they could roam the city on the CTA but the school system in the north shore was really great. This book he noted is an anti “Tiger mom” book in that their parents expected them to work hard but not pushy or controlling.
Ezekiel Emanuel noted they all inherited dyslexia from their mom, they were terrible spellers but Ari has classic traits of it. When the Emanuel brothers left high school no one really thought they would attain success at least not any they would be known for.
The last chapter of “Brothers Emanuel”: A memoir of an American Family” was based on a recurring question by writer Maureen Dowd. He wrapped up the book discussion with a Q&A where questions ranged from what made him write the book to if he thinks the classic American dream story could happen today and lastly what did Brian Williams really ask that had Ari Emanuel so furious. According to Zeke Emanuel, the interview was very unprofessional and objectionable including a question such as “How could you wild men find women to love and marry you?”
