Rolling Pennies in the Dark: A Memoir with a Message

MacKinnon, a former Pentagon official and Director of Communications for Senator Bob Dole, grew up abysmally poor in a rough Boston neighborhood, literally having to roll pennies in the dark with his mother in order to pay for food and medicine for his baby sister. In spite of his alcoholic and often absent parents, MacKinnon persevered and flourished, using his "PhD in street smarts," innate intelligence, and a love of science and writing to propel himself forward. "I went through and survived something the vast majority of Americans will never know, understand, or defeat. And because of that%E2%80%A6I've got a wealth of knowledge on poverty, crime, and human nature that most in politics%E2%80%A6or life%E2%80%A6will never have." Detailing his many struggles and triumphs, MacKinnon's is not just a rags-to-riches story%E2%80%94as promised by the title, MacKinnon has a message: "%E2%80%98We are our brother's keeper'%E2%80%A6too many of us turn our back on those in need as we dash into our homes [and] lock the doors." At times as dark as a film-noir and at others surprisingly tender, MacKinnon's story is consistently riveting and inspiring. (Feb.)