This is a review of Ben Sperer's years in Turkey before he left the country to take up residence in Canada. In an effort to place his own story in its proper context the author preceded it by a description of his parent's lives. It is an interesting story reflecting the memories of a colourful life of an Ashkenazi Jew in a society rich in tradition and history going back generations. It is against this background that the author describes the ups and downs the tragedies and successes as well as the ordinary day-to-day events of his life in Turkey