Tom Junod’s memoir centers around his father, Lou. Lou was good looking, charismatic and a womanizer. Although Lou loved his family and stayed married to his wife, Frances, he also had many affairs-some long term, some not. The author always suspected this, and after Lou’s death, he feels the urge to find out the details of his father’s life and his ancestry.

In many ways In the Days of My Youth . . .is like so many of today’s memoirs-a search for the answer to family secrets. However, unlike many other tell alls, Lou Junod truly loves his children and wants the best for them. Lou is a complicated man, and his younger sons’ well-written work leaves the reader with some answers to his life but not all.