Paul DiSclafani

A View from the Bench

A View From the Bench is a collection of Paul DiSclafani's favorite stories from his Award-Winning column, Long Island Living. The Press Club of Long Island (PCLI) awarded Long Island Living with First Place in the Narrative-Column category in 2021.

If you enjoy reading stories about everyday life by writers like Long Island's Ed Lowe or Dave Barry, this is the book for you. Each story for this collection has been chosen by the author and includes an introduction to give you a little more insight. His stories are simple, quick reads that will entertain you from beginning to end.

His unique writing style has thrilled readers since 2017 with his storytelling ability, ranging from humorous tales to more serious subjects. This collection will take you back to less complicated times, bringing you the sights, sounds, and smells inside his grandmother's kitchen for an Italian Thanksgiving.

Inside this collection, you'll find stories of appliances plotting against him and his never-ending battle with mosquitos and Cave Crickets. Learn about how his father is dating a redhead in heaven or how he lives in a "stupid" house.

Learn about why women married for a long time will never marry again or spend a few hours with him inside the Department of Motor Vehicles. Then, read his letter from the future to his 14-year-old self, or how he will be a multi-millionaire after helping a Nigerian Prince.

Paul's not afraid to share his feelings with his readers. Feel the sadness of losing a relative to the Corona Virus or how viewing a simple photograph of his father brought him to tears.

His columns also tell stories. Read about his Uncle Sammy, a Silver Star recipient and a true hero in World War II. You'll also learn why we should respect the flag and learn about the sacrifices of our veterans. Then, feel the power of Super Storm Sandy as he chronicles the dramatic story of a family's struggle to survive as their home collapsed around them and the streets turned to rivers.

The stories are paced like you would read them in his weekly column. When you turn the page, you never know what you will get.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, and who knows, you might just learn something!

One thing is guaranteed, you will enjoy this journey through the mind of a newspaper columnist…

Burning Through the West Coast

Take a trip back in time (before political correctness ruined everything) with three guys from New York on a West Coast adventure in the summer of 1978.

Join author Paul (Disco) DiSclafani, his cousin Sal (The Catman) and their friend Bruce (Mr. B) as he transports you back to those carefree days in the late '70's, recalling a zany but true trip as they burned their way through Southern California and Arizona.

Stand next to them on the line as they use their New York attitudes to resolve car rental SNAFU's, lost luggage, and useless hotel room vouchers.

Be part of The Tonight Show audience as Johnny burns them on National TV.

Spend a couple of foggy days in Arizona for a visit with their crazy friends, Felix and Kozshekka, as a flood of biblical proportions strands them across the street from the airport.

Travel down Arizona's Salt River with our inebriated heroes as they hold on for dear life when their lazy float turns into a white-water disaster.

Experience the miracle of finding a bag of weed when they arrive in Los Angeles. Participate along with them in the "Pause that refreshes" every time they hear a Bruce Springsteen song.

Burning Through the West Coast is a lighthearted romp, with original photographs from the trip and chapter illustrations by John Colquhoun, which will make you smile every time you turn the page. 6,000 Miles, 576 Beers, 4 states, 3 Guys from the East Coast, and a bag of weed.

What could possibly go wrong?

Published by Red Penguin Books.