Brian Kagan

“Clever, witty, smart, and very funny. I can visualize every story Brian wrote and I related to most of them. Well-written stories that every person should connect with. Brings back fun memories of the TV show The Wonder Years. Big smile on my face just writing this.”

Jon Small, copartner and founder of Picture Vision Pictures, Nashville, New York, Palm Beach

“Brian has always had the gift of spinning a good yarn out of his oft-wacky experiences. In My Shorts there’s plenty of clever wordcraft as he looks back on his childhood in North Texas as a chubby Jewish boy with an overactive imagination. His colorful family, led by his mother’s crass—but charming—sense of humor, play a central role in each reminiscence. The embarrassments of youth morph into insights of adulthood that each of us can relate to. My only wish is that there could’ve been more…I guess that’s where sequels come in.”

Mark Hollingsworth, Compassion International, Nashville

“The fact that Brian had a perverse crush on Penny (Sky King’s daughter) tells me everything. Having known Brian for over forty years, this book made me laugh and confirmed my worst fears.”

Lance Jackson, founder and president of Art + Business One, Denver

“Time machines are real! My Shorts sends you down a rabbit hole of humor, life experiences, and sarcasm; and it’s wonderful! Full of witty remarks and perfect descriptions, I felt like Brian himself was reading me the book. Fantastic read made for a good laugh—I laughed tremendously hard! People are going to love it.”

Amanda Fleming, diva at Pure Salon, Denver

“Stories and memories from my past come vividly to life on the written page. I remember unzipped pants held together by a safety pin, squeaky clarinet practice, and the Kloppershmo—an abnormal, badass creature invented by Brian to torture his innocent little sister over countless babysitting sessions.

Our mom, Ida Greenspan Kagan, missed her calling as a professional actor, but her talent and endless humor are alive and well in Brian. I know Mom and Dad are both looking down and kvelling. As for me, my sphincter muscle will never be the same.”

Ilene Kagan Beaullan, Stamford, CT

“If Dennis the Menace had been circumcised, grown up in Texas with a classic Jewish mother, cool older brother, an obsession with Cheetos, and an unwavering desire to schtup little Margaret Wade, he’d eventually have changed his name to Brian Kagan and recounted his mischievous childhood tales in a hilarious book called My Shorts. Brian the Menace has a knack for peppy punchlines, but also knows how to sketch a memorable character, and find the sentimental heart of a story. Come for the plentiful laughs, stay for the heartfelt depiction of his loony but loving family.”

Roy Sekoff, founding editor of Huffington Post and author of Lacks Self-Control: True Stories I Waited Until My Parents Died to Tell

“A hilarious, humorous series of essays highlighting the author’s self-deprecating and typical traditional dysfunctional Jewish family. A must-read!”

Lee Heiman, founder and partner, Track Marketing Group

“My Shorts took me on a trip down memory lane! Brian Kagan's description of the staples and icons of the 1950s and ’60s resonated with me. My Shorts is as irreverent as its cover and provides many laugh-out-loud moments. It is a funny and touching tribute to family.”

Katrina Smits, Dallas

“Oy vey! It’s a walk down memory lane that pulls at my heartstrings, tickles my cravings for unhealthy snacks, and reminds me of the ‘angst’ that growing up is all about. Thank you, Brian, for your vulnerable and irreverent perspective.”

Lorie Obernauer, Denver

“Brian gets to the very marrow of why laughter and family are the pulse of what our daily lives should capture . . . a captivating must-read and must-smile book.”

Michael Ditchfield, author and humanitarian, Denver

“My Shorts is at the same time funny, poignant, sometimes truthfully raw, and likely to cause you to think about your own childhood. I have often told Brian that he is brilliant 15 percent of the time. This is one of those times! Well worth the read!”

Timothy J. Addington, Addington Consulting, Murphreesboro, Tennessee

“Brian’s a schmuck in how he cares for his teeth, but his book is really funny.”

Marc Schwartz, DDS, Denver

“Laughed out loud at many portions of the book. Brian’s mom is the quintessential Jewish mother … I would have loved to have known Ida Kagan. What a character she was! There are so many funny, heartwarming, touching passages, and his descriptions are spot-on. ‘My chest ballooned from pride’s helium’ is but one example out of hundreds. Love Brian’s clever ways of describing and illustrating his adventures, or, as he calls them, his misadventures. Brilliant!

I hope with all my heart that this book will be enjoyed by many who will see a bit of their own family in Brian’s stories.”

Jeanine Small, copartner and founder of Picture Vision Pictures, Nashville, New York, Palm Beach

“Brian writes with detail like I’ve never experienced—you feel like you are right there in the room, experiencing every awkwardly hilarious moment. As one of my chattiest massage clients, he has spent hours sharing with me stories about his life, and I’m so glad that other people will now get to share in that storytelling genius through My Shorts.”

Laura Davis, massage therapist, Denver

“As Brian’s dermatologist, I have seen all of Brian’s naked imperfections, the moles, the warts, the acne, but this book brings ‘naked’ truth to a new meaning. As a mother of two sons, I nominate Ida for a gold medal for mothering Brian given all his antics, and eternal peace for all the ones she did not know about. My Shorts will have you laughing out loud if you are Minnesotan, and wetting your shorts if you live anywhere else.”

Nancy Krywonis, MD, Denver

“I have known Brian for over 40 years. More than anyone I know, Brian’s life has been a continual quest. I read My Shorts as his latest chapter(s) in that quest. A tremendously creative talent, the book can be read and interpreted on many levels. At its most rudimentary, it’s a fun read, presented in humorous tones and entertaining for its absurdity, albeit strangely familiar coming-of-age tales. I also found My Shorts to be especially poignant as it recounts sad if not emasculating chapters in Brian’s life. Growing up as an ersatz Jew myself (we did the culture but not the religion), I related to the stories, finding them amusing, reminiscent of my own experiences, and engaging reading. Certainly anyone who was raised in a Jewish home; had Jewish friends growing up; is interested in young men’s coming-of-age tales; grew up in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s or is a student of the culture of those times; or who enjoys entertaining autobiographical musings should read this book. Bonuses in the form of Brian’s Glossary of Yiddishisms and the wonderful photos are worth the price of admission.”

Rich Burns, San Anselmo, CA, founder of the GNU Group