The Old Man and the Boy

[Ole Joe Clark]

Anybody ever read the book "The Old Man and the Boy" by Robert Ruark? I have a dog eared, paperback copy that I bought in 1982. Have read and re-read it many times. My Dad died when I was 9 years old, so I never had the privilege of hunting or fishing with him. I guess I imagined myself in the shoes of the author. But, as I remember they were well off, so that wouldn't fit my childhood.


Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[Onomea]

One of our posters was saying just a couple of weeks ago how that is his favorite book. Actually it is two books, with The Old Man's Boy Grows Older being the second. If I recall correctly, they are compilations of columns written by Robert Ruark for Field and Stream magazine.

Anyway, a whole bunch in hard cover here at reasonable prices: The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Ruark, Hardcover - AbeBooks

abebooks.com is a great source for used books.

 

[Trooperdan]

An amazing book!

 

[walkinghorse]

The Old Man's Boy Grows Older is the sequel.
As Onomea explained the books are a compilation of a series of columns in Field and Stream magazine of the late 50's and on to the 60's. Along with the columns of Cory Ford and occasionally a Havilah Babcock story I was introduced to a lifestyle that will never be seen again, as well as the bobwhite quail, and leisurely trout and bass fishing!

 

[armenius]

One of my favorite books from my favorite writer. I was harpy able to wait a month for the next issue of F&S .Later I bought and still treasure my hardbacks. His books during his safari days are also great. His novel of the mau mau rise in Kenya,"Something of Value" is also very good.A movie starring Rock Hudson and Dana Winter was made from the book.I found it recently on Netflix or Amazon. Unfortunately he died early probably due to alcohol use.

 

[Texas Star]

I read his column then, as a boy, myself, and read his syndicated newspaper column.

One of my favorite books is his, "Something of Value" and the sequel, "Uhuru!" I think he was the only major American journalist and author who really understood African politics and had the courage to tell the truth about Mau-Mau. And who was a famous hunter, known for his African safaris. He made his white hunter friend, Harry Selby, an international celebrity.

Ruark was "Playboy" 's Travel Editor and wrote a great safari article there in April, 1965, if memory serves. He died later that year. Ian Fleming died the previous year, and two of my favorite authors were gone...

Did any of you read his short story , "Sheila", if I have the title right? It was about an American Merchant Marine officer who went to London to see his girlfriend in WWII and found that a German bomb had scored a direct hit on her flat. That was one of his last pieces for, "Playboy" before his untimely death. Both Ruark and Fleming drank and smoked too much and it killed them, too soon.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I remember reading it when I was a kid. I'd read it again if I run across a copy.

 

[Onomea]

I've read that, T-Star. Doesn't he expand on that story a bit in The Honey Badger?

I think I have read close to everything he wrote, but my absolute favorite is The Horn of the Hunter, a journal of a safari (and wherein he introduces Harry Selby to the world). I just find the book such peaceful reading... It really makes you feel that you are participating in an an old time, classic safari.

Ruark was, to an extent anyway, poor, or perhaps lower middle class or whatever, growing up, and it rankled him in college, when his fellow students were wealthier.

Maybe it would be more accurate just to say that it bugged him that he was not wealthier as a child, at least in early adulthood. I believe he died at 49, and, yes, it was alcoholism that did him in.

As a young man I -- and I think many others, critics included; and perhaps he himself -- compared him to Hemingway, and found him lacking. But, you see, he wasn't Hemmingway. He was his own man, and a fine writer in his own right.

 

[Texas Star]

Yes, Ruark grew up poor and discussed it in, "The Honey Badger", a largely autobiographical novel. He also wrote, "Poor No More."

I've read both him and Hemingway and think Ruark was the better of the two.

He was well paid as an author and a syndicated columnist. He bought a Rolls-Royce and drove it back to his former home town. One young lady was heard to ask why Robbie was driving that old Pierce Arrow!

"The Horn of the Hunter" was an account of his first safari, with then-wife Virginia.

 

[Gregor]

Gave a copy to my 14 year old second cousin, I feel it is required reading for the preteen/young man. Wish I new about it at that age.

 

[webley green]

Started reading his columns as well as Corey Ford in Field and Stream magazine at the public library in the late '50s. Picked up a copy of The Old Man and The Boy for 50 cents at the drugstore. Read it many times through high school and it was in my footlocker for many years. Read all the rest of the books mostly paperback but still have the hard copy of The Old Man and the Boy. Guess it's about time for a reread.

Thanks for starting this thread and leading to a pleasant stroll down the dusty lane of my memory.

 

[vigil617]

Ruark grew up in Southport, NC, and his boyhood home is on the main drag leading into the scenic coastal town. "The Old Man and the Boy" takes place in and around Southport and the barrier islands nearby, including the now-closed Corncake Inlet and Frying Pan Shoals off the Cape Fear River inlet. The Old Man was a character derived from both of Ruark's grandfathers, either of whom any boy would have been lucky to have.

If you enjoy hunting or fishing, or both, "The Old Man and the Boy" is a fine read in its own right. But if you also appreciate a coming-of-age story guided by the wisdom of old men, it's a book that will touch and impress you.

I've read mine dozens of times since being introduced to it at about the age of The Boy, around 10 or 11, and to say that it is among my favorite books seems not to do it justice. It's a part of my life in a way that only one or two others can match.

 

[Onomea]

I first read the book age 11 or 12. I had recently shot a songbird to no purpose with my BB gun, and I recall my guilty conscience being somewhat assuaged by the Old Man's remark that, "All boys are bloodthirsty young savages..."

I knew it wasn't right, but I also knew I wasn't alone in my guilt.

I think I last read the book in my 50's, and have read it a couple of times in between. There is always something new to glean from it, and there is always the simple pleasure of reading about what for many of us seems an ideal, if bygone, way for a boy to grow up.

 

[vigil617]

When The Old Man broke the BB gun over his knee after The Boy had shot his grandma's mockingbird with it, the story really resonated with 11-year-old me. I thought it would be the worst thing in the world to lose a BB gun that way, and to have my grandfather and grandmother so disappointed in me.

Many, many good life lessons in that book....

 

[old bear]

My Friend, Mule Packer, recommended that book to me. Sorry to say I’ve been unable to find it to download to my Nook. Yet I did find the follow up to it, “Old Man’s Boy Grows Up.” What a great story, Mr. Rurak told. Almost anyone can write a book, but few can tell a story the way Mr. Rurak does.

I will admit a certain bias as I’ve been lucky enough to have spent a LOT of time in the area Mr. Rurak grew up in. If you really want to know about that area, ask our friend “Old Corp.” he really knows that area, and teaches me something new every time I'm down there with him.

 

[max]

As a yute, I was very much a reader. I sold myself a subscription to Field & Stream from my paper route. I always enjoyed the stories. I would accompany my mother on shopping trips to Champaign, IL and I would hangout in the basement of Robeson's dept store which housed a huge book department. I would finish most of the book before I even paid for it. I had a great uncle Clarence who was very much the Old Man.

 

[dave holl]

One of my favorites too. Because of these posts I found my copy on the bookshelf, to be read for the 4th enjoyable time.

 

[shell627]

I have never read that book.But I do know of the author.Thank you for starting this thread.I have a copy on the way.

 

[Roadtrash]

I've read the books several times over the years and enjoy it each time. It's a shame all young boys and girls for that matter can't grow up the way the boy does in the story. I've read about all of Ruark's works and enjoyed them all, he had the knack of making you feel you were there.

 

[Old Corp]

Author Ruark was an American treasure, and gone too soon.
I too read 'The Old Man and the Boy' at about age 11-12 and was hooked.
Later, I began collecting Ruark books before many people were doing it and have most of his works.
While I'm not much of a 're-reader' on many works, there's something about reading Ruark that is very pleasing. He's like a friend telling you a story.