"My Two Cents" is the first book of short stories by New London, CT, writer, Arthur Dean. He writes in his introduction: I have always envied writers who lived through difficult times-war, famine, international intrigue. If they followed the old adage, "Write what you know," they had plenty of material. When I first began to write, in my mid-forties, often at 4 or 5 in the morning, I feared that my "ordinary life," as a first generation Jewish-American, was far from interesting. Yet, despite my misgivings, I plunged ahead, letting my everyday concerns surface in my writing." Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg writes, "You've enjoyed reading Singer, Bellow, Malamud and Potok. Now feast your eyes on the short stories of the "Dean" of Jewish authors, Artie Dean. A periodontist by vocation, he found his calling writing pieces for The Jewish Leader, the bi-weekly newspaper serving Eastern Connecticut. This versatile writer is equally proficient with fiction and non-fiction, mysteries and reflections, profound insights and humor. You will cherish these writings, especially if your literary taste buds savor contemporary Jewish perspectives on matters as diverse as Israel, synagogue, baby boomers and baseball. Regarding the latter, Dizzy and Daffy Dean enthralled fans in the 20th century. Now is Artie Dean's time. Enjoy " Also, Marc Goldsmith writes: "If you want honest and genuine sentiment that touches the heart and soul, sip Artie Dean's My Two Cents slowly. Here you will enjoy writing that resonates with rich and riveting treasure-at once a touching personal diary of emotion, empathy and angst, a reflective biographically driven narrative that flirts with fiction, and a penetrating tribute to the measure of our humanity. Here, regardless of your background and experience, you will find real life full of hopes, fears, dreams, humor, joy, sadness and longing."