Tom Wolfe has passed away

[Watchdog]

Tom Wolfe, noted author of The Right Stuff, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, has passed away at the age of eighty-seven.

I have a first edition copy of The Right Stuff that's been read so many times, some of the pages are dog eared and have some food stains on them.

His description of what the early Apollo astronauts went through, and descriptions of them and their escapades were totally different from what the public was being told. Their stories were also funny and in retrospect, somewhat sad. And at first, the astronauts, themselves, looked at this fancy-dressed young author with a lot of suspicion and humor. After all, they were fighter pilots, test pilots, and war heroes...they flew jets...he was just some writer trying to tell a story. They soon realized, though, just how intelligent he was and where he was going with their story. The rest is literary history.

Tom Wolfe was a major force and talent in the literary world of the eighties and nineties, and a character right out of some of his own writings. He was famous for his white suits as well.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Wolfe.

 

[tlawler]

One of my favorite authors...R.I.P. Tom

 

[muddocktor]

I for one will miss his writings. A great author and The Right Stuff was an excellent book.

 

[Mr.Harry]

Only book I ever read was Bonfire Of The Vanities; somehow missed any of his works as a student earning my BA in ENG. Friend of mine turned me onto that piece as a recommended must-read just a few years ago. Hated it until about a third of the way through the story I realized that ALL of the characters were SUPPOSED to be repulsive or morally repugnant, by design; hence the title. I’m not the sharpest tack in the box. Then, I enjoyed the resulting conflagration of despicableness, and ultimate ‘redemption’? much more thoroughly. That book caught me off guard, pulled the wool over my eyes, and ultimately amazed me. I recommend it heartily to most anyone. I should also read more of his stuff but haven’t, yet. The Right Stuff sounds like it could be a great read. My folks brought us to see that in the theater. And I enjoyed it then. Usually, writing surpasses film. That’s on my read list. Thanks.

RIP

 

[WR Moore]

If you liked "Bonfire", see if you can find a copy of "Mau-Mauing the Flak
Catchers". Shows the liberals up for what they are. May be a collection of articles/short stories but is still well worth the read.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

A truly great Virginian has passed. He will be missed.

 

[ace22]

I just sold my copy of the electric cool aid acid test that i originally bought back in the day at a garage sale 4 days ago.
maybe i should have hung on to it.

 

[JSW]

A truly great and groundbreaking author. RIP

 

[S&WIowegan]

He also wrote a great send-up of a real estate hustler in Georgia named Charlie Croker. Charlie was the classic bs'er, hustler, promoter who may go broke but never is without money/credit. One thing all big banks learned the hard way is to turn bad loans over to a workout department that is immune to BS.

The title is "A Man in Full".

PS as a former Wall Street investment banker I say even Tom Wolfe couldn't completely portray the type. They don't see any difference between lies and truth.