MORE TO LIFE THAN MORE

In this memoir, an ad agency powerhouse recounts turning a family tragedy into an opportunity for youngsters who learn differently, gaining an understanding about himself in the process.

Had Pesky chosen to write a book simply detailing his life and many accomplishments, it likely would have been intriguing. But what he has produced is deeper and more emotionally riveting, as the author peels back and examines the layers of his often difficult relationship with his eldest son, Lee. While filled with wonderful tales of personal and professional fulfillment, the narrative is propelled by a singular, excruciating loss. In November 1995, 30-year-old Lee died from the ravages of a voracious brain tumor. The memoir opens with the painful account of Lee’s illness and death, then toggles to the author’s impressive journey up the ladder of success. Born in 1933 in New York City, he grew up in the Bronx and Queens. After college and a stint in the military, he attended Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. An amusing, self-deprecating vignette depicts how a major snowstorm contributed to his Dartmouth admission. Fast-forward to May 1967. Pesky, an ad agency account executive, and his four partners took a leap of faith and opened their own agency—Scali, McCabe, Sloves. The gamble paid off handsomely, both financially and in industry accolades, and there are many delightful tales and now-classic commercial taglines from the author’s high-flying years in advertising. But back at home, the bright and mischievous Lee was struggling, hampered by his learning disabilities, motor-skill difficulty, and a father who wanted to help but couldn’t yet appreciate his son’s unique talents. Since Lee’s death, Pesky has channeled his grief and self-recriminations into what he considers his most important project—the creation of the Lee Pesky Learning Center, which has received national acclaim for its groundbreaking work. Much of the author’s candid and moving memoir—written with Aulum and featuring a collection of family photographs—focuses on the center’s crucial work. Although this intermittently slows down the narrative, the pages contain a wealth of valuable information for the family, friends, and teachers of Lee’s fellow travelers.

An articulate, unflinchingly honest, and touching account brimming with joy, heartbreak, and love.