A STONE FOR DANNY FISHER.

In the mid-1920s, a young Danny Fisher and his family move into a new house in a Brooklyn
suburb. Within a few years, however, the Great Depression begins and Danny must use his one
talent, boxing, as a means of supporting his family.

After a few years, the Fishers have lost their house and are living in a cramped apartment in the
city. Danny continues to box, much against his father's wish, and dates a young Italian Catholic
woman, Nellie Petito, much to the chagrin of his mother. Danny's boxing skills attract the
attention of hoodlums, and he is offered a large sum of money to lose the Golden Gloves
championship, a fight he could win easily and which would bring him professional fame as well
as, he hopes, his father's acceptance.

Danny accepts the bribe but beats his opponent. After going on the run for two years in Coney
Island, he returns to marry his sweetheart. Their early married life is marred by the death of
their first-born child Vicky, in poverty.

Danny seeks out his former manager and goes into business with him as a black marketeer.
Such activity brings him into contact with the very criminals he previously cheated.

The story concludes with Danny's death in counterpoint to arrival of new life.

The title is taken from the Jewish tradition of leaving a stone on the headstone when visiting a
grave.

HAROLD ROBBINS 1916.

Born as Harold Rubin in New York City, he later claimed to be a Jewish orphan who had been
raised in a Catholic boys home. In reality he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish
immigrants. He was reared by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.

His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality.
Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he
had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a
hard-on".