Forced Perspective

About the Book

With literary influences that range from Jack Kerouac to Ayn Rand, the poetry in Conrad Gurtatowski’s collection, Forced Perspective, is as eclectic and unpredictable as his life. He wrote his first poem at age six: an ode to his tricycle. Since then his poetry has reflected his experiences as a Viet Nam War draftee, steelworker, railroad worker, salesman and postal employee. His verse chronicles our 21st century world through the eyes of an outlaw and outcast, retiree and grandfather, Objectivist and iconoclast. This is poetry with passion, not pretense; it is acrimony leavened with slashing wit. Mr. Gurtatowski’s poems have appeared in numerous periodicals, including Blue Collar Review, Love’s Chance, Valparaiso Review, Black Book Press, and assorted other journals.

About the Author

Conrad Gurtatowski’s roots run deep within the blue collar southeast side of Chicago, where he spent the first twenty-two years of his life. At that point he was drafted into the Army, and served in Germany for eighteen months. After being discharged, he held a succession of jobs: steelworker, insurance salesman, railroad worker, retail manager, and eventually postal worker. Today he is retired and lives in semi-rural surroundings in northwest Indiana. Here he spends his time indulging his grandchildren and struggles to write the “Great American Novel,” while awaiting the election of the first Libertarian president.