Making a Name for Myself

Joe McDonald tells the colorful story of his life, taking readers through the litany of experiences that shaped his world. From the seminary in which he studied for Catholic priesthood to a stint as a Neo-Marxist social activist who worked with the Chicago branch of the Black Panthers to a job as a social worker in the Chicago Public Schools, he describes his passage through marriage, divorce, remarriage and the joy and pain that comes with being a step-parent. He explores the reasons for his career moves from social activist to psychotherapist to sex therapist and resolves his life-long struggles with religion. In the end, he shows how experiences with his grandchildren allowed him to finally make a name for himself.

Joe McDonald tells the colorful story of his life, taking readers through the litany of experiences that shaped his world. From the seminary in which he studied for Catholic priesthood to a stint as a Neo-Marxist social activist who worked with the Chicago branch of the Black Panthers to a job as a social worker in the Chicago Public Schools, he describes his passage through marriage, divorce, remarriage and the joy and pain that comes with being a step-parent. He explores the reasons for his career moves from social activist to psychotherapist to sex therapist and resolves his life-long struggles with religion. In the end, he shows how experiences with his grandchildren allowed him to finally make a name for himself.

Joe McDonald is a retired clinical social worker. As part of a writers' group at the Osher Lifelong Learning Center (Olli) at Northwestern University in Chicago, he embarked upon writing his life story. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois with his wife Madeleine Raymond. He cherishes his roles as husband, father and grandfather. This is his first book.