Jerry Forristal
Jerry Forristal is the ninth of eleven children.
One of Eleven is his story.
Jerry received his B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1989 and his M.A. from Duke University in 1991. In 1993, after publishing in leading Sociology journals and declining an offer as a Professor of Sociology from Temple University, he joined a small marketing research group within AT&T's Bell Labs. He then worked for Hallmark Greeting Cards for seven years, including a two year assignment in the Netherlands, before joining the ad agency, Leo Burnett, in London.
During his career, he has led many high profile, strategic projects for leading Fortune 500 companies, including P&G, PepsiCo, MillerCoors, Hershey's, McDonalds, Kellogg's, Walt Disney, and Johnson & Johnson.
Jerry currently works in New York as a Global Account Director for Kantar, the consumer insights arm of WPP.
He and his wife, Shelley, live in Larchmont, NY with their three daughters, Lauren, Stephanie, and Kristen.
One of Eleven is his story.
Jerry received his B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1989 and his M.A. from Duke University in 1991. In 1993, after publishing in leading Sociology journals and declining an offer as a Professor of Sociology from Temple University, he joined a small marketing research group within AT&T's Bell Labs. He then worked for Hallmark Greeting Cards for seven years, including a two year assignment in the Netherlands, before joining the ad agency, Leo Burnett, in London.
During his career, he has led many high profile, strategic projects for leading Fortune 500 companies, including P&G, PepsiCo, MillerCoors, Hershey's, McDonalds, Kellogg's, Walt Disney, and Johnson & Johnson.
Jerry currently works in New York as a Global Account Director for Kantar, the consumer insights arm of WPP.
He and his wife, Shelley, live in Larchmont, NY with their three daughters, Lauren, Stephanie, and Kristen.
A Sample of His Writing
The Darlington Substitution: From the Deed Box of John H Watson MD (Volume 4)
by Hugh Ashton
One of Eleven is a raw, honest, and hilarious memoir about growing up as one of eleven children in a poor, Catholic family in the middle of nowhere Kansas. Written by the ninth, very different and probably adopted child, it is an entertaining & poignant coming of age story that vividly captures Jerry Forristal's unique search for identity & purpose, and his intriguing & varied relationships with his parents, ten brothers and sisters, and best friends. While at its core a classic rags to riches story in which Forristal escapes poverty & receives a full-ride scholarship to Duke, it is also an inspirational story of personal growth. We join him as he is emotionally transformed from a shy, unattractive teen to an outgoing, attractive young adult, and from a timid boy too scared to leave his hometown to a twenty-three year old with the confidence to move a thousand miles away, with no plans of ever returning to Kansas. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to eleven charities which support the lives and dreams of poor children in the U.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Profound yet entertaining read, February 11, 2011
By Joseph Teitelman
This review is from: One of Eleven: a true story about finding your way (Volume 1) (Paperback)
In his memoir, "One of Eleven," Jerry Forristal takes the reader through a journey of his first 19 years of life. In many respects, Mr. Forristal depicts the many obstacles in his life, and his unique and successful attempts at overcoming each of these difficulties. He tells the story of his ultimately successful attempts at overcoming poverty, and ulltimately obtaining an M.A. degree in sociology from Duke University. In addition, Mr. Forristal engages the reader as he describes his interelationships with his 10 siblings and the psychodynamics of his family.
At times, hilarious and at times quite poignant, the author's memoir always seems to simulate the reader as he describes his life experiences -- both positive and negative. Yet, according to Forristal, he consistently finds the strength to overcome numerous obstacles, one by one as he ultimately "finds his way" forward.
If you're interested in a relatively light, but inspiring (and feel good) read, I would absolutely suggest that you take the time to read "One of Eleven," a poignant tale about "finding your way."
by Hugh Ashton
One of Eleven is a raw, honest, and hilarious memoir about growing up as one of eleven children in a poor, Catholic family in the middle of nowhere Kansas. Written by the ninth, very different and probably adopted child, it is an entertaining & poignant coming of age story that vividly captures Jerry Forristal's unique search for identity & purpose, and his intriguing & varied relationships with his parents, ten brothers and sisters, and best friends. While at its core a classic rags to riches story in which Forristal escapes poverty & receives a full-ride scholarship to Duke, it is also an inspirational story of personal growth. We join him as he is emotionally transformed from a shy, unattractive teen to an outgoing, attractive young adult, and from a timid boy too scared to leave his hometown to a twenty-three year old with the confidence to move a thousand miles away, with no plans of ever returning to Kansas. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to eleven charities which support the lives and dreams of poor children in the U.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Profound yet entertaining read, February 11, 2011
By Joseph Teitelman
This review is from: One of Eleven: a true story about finding your way (Volume 1) (Paperback)
In his memoir, "One of Eleven," Jerry Forristal takes the reader through a journey of his first 19 years of life. In many respects, Mr. Forristal depicts the many obstacles in his life, and his unique and successful attempts at overcoming each of these difficulties. He tells the story of his ultimately successful attempts at overcoming poverty, and ulltimately obtaining an M.A. degree in sociology from Duke University. In addition, Mr. Forristal engages the reader as he describes his interelationships with his 10 siblings and the psychodynamics of his family.
At times, hilarious and at times quite poignant, the author's memoir always seems to simulate the reader as he describes his life experiences -- both positive and negative. Yet, according to Forristal, he consistently finds the strength to overcome numerous obstacles, one by one as he ultimately "finds his way" forward.
If you're interested in a relatively light, but inspiring (and feel good) read, I would absolutely suggest that you take the time to read "One of Eleven," a poignant tale about "finding your way."
