My debut novel, available now on AMAZON
Every Family Has a Story.
Some have more than one.
Step into the unforgettable world of Photo by Broom, a sweeping historical family saga spanning generations, continents, wars, and unforgettable lives. Discover a story of courage, identity, love, sacrifice, and resilience from author Hal T. Horowitz.
About Me
Meet Hal T. Horowitz
Halie of the Alley. The alley was my first backyard. The flowers were remnants of old cobblestone, the shrubs were trash cans, and the trees were our neighbors’ back porches, all mostly identical, gray or aging brown, almost all topping at three stories. And oh, what stories.
The alleys changed over the years. They became streets, schools, jobs, even a rodeo corral, an iconic highway, and, eventually, a corporate office. Back in the 1940s and ’50s, however, the alley was a favorite playground for the neighborhood kids. We had nicknames back then, many given by our own mothers when they called us in for supper. Mine was “Halie, Halie, King of the Alley.” For the most part, our parents thought it was safe for us to play in the alley if it was still light out. It was close to home, it was generally in the company of other kids, and almost always within sight of or hearing of at least one of our parents. The caveats were “…if it was still light, …generally, and …almost always.”
YEARS
FIRST NOVEL
Turning a lifelong dream into
a published story.
RICH HISTORICAL DETAIL
Experience decades of history
through deeply researched storytelling.
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS
Meet characters whose lives feel
authentic. emotional, and timeless.
Now Available On Amazon
Photo By Broom
In 1865, at the age of 14, Gregor Broom kissed his mother goodbye, and joined the crew of a merchant ship leaving from the docks at Oban, Scotland to escape his abusive father, Murray.
In 1925 Gregor’s grandson, Tommy Broom, stepped off the train in Chicago at the age of five with his Da, Thomas Broom.
In 1965 Tom Wade Broom embarked on his journey of chronicling on film the worst the world had to offer.
“Photo by Broom is an epic tale of a family’s 100-plus-year journey through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the prohibition era, and the later years of social, political, racial, and religious upheaval, much of it captured on film by Gregor’s great-grandson, award-winning photojournalist, Tom Wade Broom. It is a character-driven novel spanning Murray, Gregor, Thomas, Tommy, and Tom Wade Broom, each living a life far different from his father’s, yet each of whose plans for his and his family’s future were influenced by his ancestors.”
– Author, Hal T. Horowitz
Now Available On Amazon
Photo By Broom
In 1865, at the age of 14, Gregor Broom kissed his mother goodbye, and joined the crew of a merchant ship leaving from the docks at Oban, Scotland to escape his abusive father, Murray.
In 1925 Gregor’s grandson, Tommy Broom, stepped off the train in Chicago at the age of five with his Da, Thomas Broom.
In 1965 Tom Wade Broom embarked on his journey of chronicling on film the worst the world had to offer.
“Photo by Broom is an epic tale of a family’s 100-plus-year journey through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the prohibition era, and the later years of social, political, racial, and religious upheaval, much of it captured on film by Gregor’s great-grandson, award-winning photojournalist, Tom Wade Broom. It is a character-driven novel spanning Murray, Gregor, Thomas, Tommy, and Tom Wade Broom, each living a life far different from his father’s, yet each of whose plans for his and his family’s future were influenced by his ancestors.”
– Author, Hal T. Horowitz
Photo By Broom
Meet The Characters
Photo by Broom
Photo by Broom is the story of the Broom family’s journey through famine, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the later years of social, political, racial, and religious
Echoes Of Yesterday
Murray Broom. A hard-drinking dockworker in 19th century Scotland, Murray is a mentally and physically abusive husband and father, who drove his wife, Kathleen,
Light After Darkness
Gregor Broom. Exploited for years of grueling physical child labor by his father, mentored at sea by a seasoned merchant marine, and nursed to recuperation from
The New World
Thomas Broom. Focused on living his life according to a well-crafted plan, Thomas is tutored in adapting to life in the New World by his godfather, Sean Nolan. He is
The Call to Duty
Tommy Broom. Bright, focused, and disciplined, Tommy is given the opportunity while attending a military high school to participate in an experimental college
Capturing History
Tom Wade Broom. Coming into adolescence during the changing times of the 1950s, Tom Wade’s tough-guy attitude and troubled temperament jeopardizes his future until,
Photo By Broom
Meet The Characters
Photo by Broom
Photo by Broom is the story of the Broom family’s journey through famine, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the later years of social, political, racial, and religious
Echoes Of Yesterday
Murray Broom. A hard-drinking dockworker in 19th century Scotland, Murray is a mentally and physically abusive husband and father, who drove his wife, Kathleen,
Light After Darkness
Gregor Broom. Exploited for years of grueling physical child labor by his father, mentored at sea by a seasoned merchant marine, and nursed to recuperation from
The New World
Thomas Broom. Focused on living his life according to a well-crafted plan, Thomas is tutored in adapting to life in the New World by his godfather, Sean Nolan. He is
The Call to Duty
Tommy Broom. Bright, focused, and disciplined, Tommy is given the opportunity while attending a military high school to participate in an experimental college
Capturing History
Tom Wade Broom. Coming into adolescence during the changing times of the 1950s, Tom Wade’s tough-guy attitude and troubled temperament jeopardizes his future until,
Testimonials
A Legacy Written
Through Readers’ Eyes
Thoughts and reflections from readers who have shared the journey through my stories.
"A beautifully written story that captures the depth of family, history, and human connection. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading."
Sophia Bennett
Reader Review
"A beautifully written story that captures the depth of family, history, and human connection. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading."
Sophia Bennett
Reader Review
"A beautifully written story that captures the depth of family, history, and human connection. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading."
Sophia Bennett
Reader Review
"A beautifully written story that captures the depth of family, history, and human connection. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading."
Sophia Bennett
Reader Review
Hal’s Blogs.
Beyond The Pages: Stories
From My Journey
Halie of the Alley
The Westside alleys of Chicago were Hal’s playground until either his mother voice rang across…
BIZ 101-THE OPTOMETRIST’S SON
BIZ 101-THE OPTOMETRIST’S SON The lines grew smaller on the stark, white wall, Till could…