Just finished this book...fantastic! Bet my gramps would have gotten along well with both characters, plus getting me excited abt taking my kids hunting this fall.
Isn't it a great read? Darn shame that Ruark didn't head some of the Old Man's advice later in life, but the writting is really fine. You might be interested in "The Old Man's Boy Grows Older" by Ruark, and "The Lost Classics of Robert Ruark". Many more Old Man and The Boy installments that are worth reading. The Old Man and The Boy is best, but the others are good too.
He wrote some great African stuff, too. "Uhuru", for instance, about the Mau Mau uprising. Classic literature.
I still have my copy after 44 years. Given to me at age 10. I pull it out every couple of years and read it again.
One of my all time favorites.
I reread mine every couple of years.
Yep, good read for sure.
Ruark is on of my favorite outdoor writers - all of his stuff is worth a read. Of course, no bow hunting but classic African hunting during the hayday years.
I love that book. You know a book is good when your sad that you finished it.
Gilbert
Thanks for reminding me how much I loved Ruark when I was a kid - could only find a couple of his books then in the public library, might have more luck today online.
Funny, but I just picked up my copy and started re-reading it last night. Great book!
QuoteOriginally posted by recurve_shooter:
Funny, but I just picked up my copy and started re-reading it last night, just about the time of the original post. Great book!
Oops...tried to edit, but ended up quoting myself!
Ruark was an interesting guy and an excellent writer. It is probably about time for me to reread that book myself. Like others here I tend to reread the book periodically as it is one of my favorites.
Never heard of it til this thread, but I just bought a copy. Sounds like a good read.
Fantastic book, one of my favorites. Just re-read it in preparation for "the old mans boy grows older" which I had ordered. BOut halfway done through this second one and I don't want it to end. Just loaned the first book to a lady friend of mine that's in WY for the summer and she's loving it too! Great stuff!!
Nathan
I enjoyed it but found the slang a bit hard to understand.
"Damn shame Ruark didn't heed the old man's advice later on in life"...what's the story here? Just read this first book and otherwise don't know anything about the author.
Just read it last year and loved it. Ruark was the man. With a childhood like that, its no wonder he ended up in Africa. Where do go from there?
QuoteOriginally posted by ChopOH:
"Damn shame Ruark didn't heed the old man's advice later on in life"...what's the story here? Just read this first book and otherwise don't know anything about the author.
Brief biography. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ruark) Ruark Inn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlSkCjhEY0) A longer biography. (http://www.southporttimes.com/featured/2009021001.html)
If you havn't read "The Old Man and the Boy" you should. Its good for the heart and the soul. A true classic. :thumbsup:
I'm pretty sure I said "Darn shame..." ;)
He had a pretty tumultous life. Drank himself to death at relativly young age. I think he was about 50. Hardly old at all. You won't see many pictures of him without either a cigarette, drink, or both. Of course, years ago there wasn't the knowledge of health concerns that there is today. But even then, those close to him knew he was overstepping it a bit. It can be a little painful to read his biographical accounts. He lead a pretty high stress life and coupled that with some pretty unhealthy habits. It added up and took a toll on him well ahead of schedule.
I think he was trying to be Papa.
QuoteOriginally posted by Don Stokes:
He wrote some great African stuff, too. "Uhuru", for instance, about the Mau Mau uprising. Classic literature.
If you enjoyed "Uhuru" then you must Read "Something of Value". Another novel based on the Mau Mau but even better than "Uhuru".
Ruark could really write. Great stuff!