Martin’s Scribbles

Martin’s Scribbles, by Martin Holub, will make you laugh. It gathers together a quirky collection of funny stories from the most intriguing life of a New York architect. What do Prague, London, New York, and Tehran have in common? Well, Martin Holub, of course. Because, he lived, designed buildings, and enriched lives in all these places.

The subtitle is “Sort of a Memoir.” That’s because Holub uses personal anecdotes to shed light on more than his own life. It is entertaining, as well as thought provoking. On first read, this collection shares the author’s wealth of global experiences. But in a second read, Holub opens the book on his life as an architect and globetrotting expat. Moreover, he offers a very intimate first-hand witness to the past fifty years of world history. The book is sometimes humorous and sometimes shocking. It memorably adds spice and color to what we read in the news. The author’s reflections inform and amuse all in one read.

Take, for instance, Martin’s arrival in America. The year humans landed on the moon (1969), Martin landed in New York City, literally. He made the voyage across the Atlantic by steam ship (yes a boat ticket was cheaper than airfare). On arrival, he found himself stuck in customs. Unfortunately, his first experience of the USA was being ripped off—twice. In customs, he couldn’t open his large trunk for inspection. Soon, two men swindled him of $20 to open it. Next, the cabby who drove him to his destination overcharged him for cab fare. What a way to begin a new era in his life, in the New World.