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"Ruark Remembered," By Alan Ritchie
25 September 2015, 23:47
Bill/Oregon"Ruark Remembered," By Alan Ritchie
I am about half-way through this biography of Robert Ruark, and find it fascinating. I read "Use Enough Gun" back in junior high when I inadvertently "bought it" from the Outdoor Life Book Club, and I have of course read many of the "Old Man and the Boy" stories as most of us have. There's a copy of "Something of Value" in my overflowing In box.
But I had missed out on his post-war years as one of America's best-read journalists and columnists. Hell, I was born in 1953, the year Bob and Ginny moved to Spain.
Anyway, Ruark wrote as hard and fast as he drank, which is saying quite a lot, and this warts-and-all remembrance by the Englishman who was his personal secretary the last 12 years of his short life fleshes out a complicated, driven man with a tremendous talent with words, viz:
"A hyena's giggle is date night in the female ward of a madhouse."
The only complaint I have about the book is that it is poorly copy-edited, rather a shock when the subject is one of America's better writers of the past century.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
29 September 2015, 08:36
lavacaNeed to read this, but it sounds disappointing. Love Ruark's work. Have read it all.
29 September 2015, 20:01
BaxterBI agree that the book is poorly edited. I corresponded with Casada in advance of this book and really looked forward to it but when I got a copy in my hands I was sorely disappointed.
02 October 2015, 23:02
Idaho SharpshooterI have a copy. The stories are there, but the story teller is sadly lacking...
06 October 2015, 01:08
dogcatUnimpressed as well. Not a good piece of work. I like some of Ruark's writing, but not all of it. Too much Hemingway "wanna be" in it for me. This piece on him is more of a money grab than a good book.
30 October 2015, 09:10
lavacaI've read everything he ever wrote and I'm a complete fan. "Something of Value" is perhaps the greatest novel ever written. I do have some criticism of "Uhuru" although I like the book. It could lose a few chapters, the story would lose nothing, and the book would be better.
31 October 2015, 22:49
BaxterBquote:
"Something of Value" is perhaps the greatest novel ever written
That's high praise, but not sure it warrants it.
01 November 2015, 02:08
juanpozziMy favourite writer ,loved SOMETHING OF VALUE and UHURU .They are the best novels i ever read . .
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01 November 2015, 07:03
NormanConquestI agree. If it is not the greatest novel written,it's pretty damned close.
Never mistake motion for action.
04 November 2015, 09:36
lavacaIn terms of style, I think only Hemingway can compare, but I don't think "Green Hills" is as good as Ruark's work; certainly not "True at First Light", but Hemingway didn't finalize that one. Clearly, Hemingway's earlier works are probably better. Hemingway is another of my favorites.
04 November 2015, 11:04
NormanConquestPapa was the original;although Bob's reference to the past in his eyes was a treasure. Gentlemen, Judge apples for apples.Papa was good in his trade as was Bob. End of story.
Never mistake motion for action.
10 November 2015, 06:47
lavacaYou are absolutely correct. You cannot compare authors any more than you can compare children. They are great in their own right, in their own way.
06 December 2015, 22:41
OhierI recently bought and read this book, enjoyed it, and thought it was well worth the time. There is not another perspective like Alan's.
I am 1/2 way through Something of Value and it's purely amazing.
07 December 2015, 10:44
NormanConquestI envy you your 1st read of "Something Of Value". Uhuro is good but not quite so as this, imop. BTW I have a copy of "the old man + the boy" on the nightstand that I read before bed (for the millionth time)
Never mistake motion for action.