All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald

Jordan writes: 
Michael Patrick MacDonald, author of All Souls and Easter Rising, was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, “Southie,” on March 9, 1966 to a proud, large, Irish-American family. Growing up in Southie life was more than challenging. Money was tight in Southie. The majority of the population within Southie collected welfare, and nearly 85 percent of the families were made up of single parents, single mothers to be exact. The town evolved into crime and violence. Drug dealers dealt on common street corners and everyman owned a gun. By the time MacDonald was grown up, there had been over 200 executions in his town, including a few of his brothers.
              Growing up in South Boston was perhaps the most influential experience in MacDonald’s life. He became an activist against crime and violence, writing two novels to support his cause and share his story. Before writing his first novel, MacDonald also helped push off Boston’s gun-buyback program. His efforts have confiscated thousands of unnecessary weapons from unqualified hands. In 1999Michael Patrick MacDonald received the 1999 Daily Points award, an award which honors those who connects Americans through community service, along with multiple fellowships.
              He is currently living in Brooklyn, New York, writing and public speaking about his experiences on race and violence. He believes in healing and social change and to this day he has been working toward those goals. Sometimes he returns to Southie and reminisces about his childhood, the place his mother once referred to as, “the best place in the world.” All the tragedy and deaths that occurred and the families that were affected. Hopefully one day Michael Patrick MacDonald will accomplish what he aims for.