Peter Quinn is a novelist and frequent contributor to Commonweal. His memoir, Cross Bronx, A Writing Life (Fordham University Press), is currently in print. Also by this author Coming of Age in America Get Commonweal's latest, delivered twice weekly. Email address Published in the 2005-06-17 issue: View Contents Most Recent Young American By Massimo Faggioli May 16, 2025 Root and Branch By Sarah F. Porter May 16, 2025 Download the 2024-2025 Conversation Starter Series By The Editors May 15, 2025