PRO CONNECT
Charles was born in New York City where he attended an arts and music high school in Manhattan, and later, Columbia University and The New School for Social Research.
A former United States Marine, Charles was, before turning to writing full time, an advertising agency creative director. His career, aside from his start in on Madison Avenue, eventually took him to Boston, London, Paris, Milan, and San Francisco. He is the recipient many advertising awards including the prestigious Clio.
His books include “4-F Blues: A Novel of World War ll Hollywood,” winner of the PEN Award, and the humorous “I’ll Get Right Back to You and Other Annoyances.: All the Things that Can Screw Up Your Day.”
Charles’ most successful book to date is the nonfiction “Don’t Let Your Kids Kill You: A Guide for Parents of Drug and Alcohol Addicted Children” which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.
A frequent radio and television guest, he has had interviews on all the major television stations in the USA as well as England where he has been featured on the BBC many times.
In connection with his work as president of the Inner Light Foundation, he is often invited on radio call-in shows as a noted dream interpreter and numerologist.
“Leaning on Thin Air” Charles’ newest book has, according to Kirkus Review, the intrigue and character of classic noir. It’s corporate insanity of the highest order.
The father of three sons, Charles, a former resident of London and Cambridge, England, lives in Sonoma County, California.
“Mad Men never had this kind of fun.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Rubin (I’ll Get Right Back to You and Other Annoyances, 2010, etc.) takes on the summer of 1969 from an unusual perspective: that of a maverick ad writer.
“Who has time for Vietnam?” asks Bob Bronson, and who can blame him? Tensions may be high in the streets of Boston, as protests against the Vietnam War become more violent on a daily basis, but Bob’s personal life takes all his attention. Having lost his job and burned bridges with the entire Boston advertising world—as well as most any of his former friends—he’s adrift. His family isn’t much help either. His wife, Allie, seems to do little besides drink heavily and mind the children. No one can say whether his life went wrong when he left New York for Boston, or even earlier, but it doesn’t look like there’s much left to salvage as the novel begins, no matter how talented a writer he is. While Bob’s stubbornness had been a problem for him before, it might be his only hope now. He gets a new job offer he can’t refuse and finds himself caught up in something much bigger than himself. It’s corporate insanity of the highest order—politicking, affairs, and even a murder. Bob is in well over his head, but seeing how he gets himself into and out of trouble—and how he catches his breath in between—keeps the story fresh and entertaining. The narration also adds a lot to the book’s attraction: Bob keeps the reader firmly rooted in the novel’s present, and his voice lends the novel all the intrigue and character of classic noir. And while Bob may not be the most likable character, his principled stand—and many temptations—do give him a certain roguish charm. The book’s only real weakness is an occasional sloppiness when it comes to editing. But most readers will likely be too enthralled to notice a few errant punctuation marks.
Mad Men never had this kind of fun.
Pub Date: April 15, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-918915-07-8
Page count: 216pp
Publisher: New Century Publishers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 4, 2017
Favorite word
Explore
Hometown
New York City
Bay Sunday TV Interview Don't Let Your Kids Kill You, 2011
Bay Sunday TV Interview I'll Get Right Back to You And Other Annoyances, 2011
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.