Pittsburgh author publishes new book
The Padre PirateReflecting on work and return

Pittsburgh author publishes new book

David Harry Tannenbaum updates his series.

David Harry Tannenbaum. Photo courtesy of Lydia Blank
David Harry Tannenbaum. Photo courtesy of Lydia Blank

Pittsburgh native David Harry Tannenbaum released his newest book, “The Padre Pirate.” It is Tannenbaum’s eighth work in the Padre series.

In this installment, characters Jimmy Redstone and Angella Martinez search for “The Pirate,” a valuable sculpture. The two insurance company investigators travel to familiar Steel City haunts, such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival, to locate the missing bronze piece. Along the way, Redstone and Martinez become enmeshed in the dealings of a Mexican drug lord, as well as the Israeli Mossad, who themselves are seeking art supposedly containing the names of Nazi war criminals.

Tannenbaum has published 11 books in the last 12 years, which is a bit of a contrast to his earlier pursuits. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and from Capital Law School, Tannenbaum worked as a patent attorney for decades. He lived in both New Jersey and Texas, but now splits his time between Miromar Lakes, Florida, and Pittsburgh.

Returning to Pittsburgh with his wife, Mary, after nearly 60 years allowed Tannenbaum to reconnect with the city of his youth. Before studying at Pitt, he graduated from Frick Elementary School and Peabody High School. Tannenbaum was bar mitzvahed at Tree of Life Congregation, and attended services at both its Oakland and Squirrel Hill locations.

“I spent a great deal of time in the gym at the YM&WHA on Bellefield Street and volunteered as an aide for Saturday morning,” he said.

He was also active in Liberty AZA and attended Emma Kaufman Camp. Back then, buses to the overnight summer camp used to leave from a storefront on Forward Avenue, he recalled.

Tannenbaum is proud to be back in Pittsburgh, and said, “Most of my childhood friends have moved on. To where? I’m not sure I want to know. But the few I am in touch with makes coming home well worth it.” PJC

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

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