Authors Day

Tom Wolfe

Ted Geisel

Today is the birthday of two men of letters, Tom Wolfe and Theodor Seuss Geisel- Dr. Seuss. Each in his distinctive way has changed literature, Wolfe whose novels offered dead on portrayals of American life, and Geisel who transformed kiddie books from Dick and Jane to thoughtful works of art. While both are vibrant writers, only one of these men will likely still be read in 50 years. My money is on Dr. Seuss.

Happy Birthday Gents, thank you.

Toad

Cool Guy - Tom Wolfe

Today we celebrate the birthday of National Living Treasure, Mr. Tom Wolfe.

If you are unfamiliar with his writing, you are missing a snapshot of America. Wolfe's writing is central to understanding American culture, obsession and fear over the past 50 years.

Curious what 1960's America was like? You could do a lot worse than The Kandy Kolored Tangerine Flake Streamline Baby , or The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. The '70's: The Right Stuff, or perhaps The Painted Word. 80's- The Bonfire of the Vanities, 90's- A Man in Full.

My all time favorite is still Radical Chic and Mau Mauing the Flak Catchers.

Happy Birthday Mr. Wolfe, may you life forever.

Toad

Tom Wolfe

I have come to the party late, but I have finally arrived.



One of the first books I ever read was "The Radical Chic and Mau Mauing the Flak Catchers" by Tom Wolfe during the summer of 1969. I thought it was two of the funniest stories that could ever be told. Mr. Wolfe had his finger exactly on the pulse the the late 60's.



Somehow after that I never thought about him again. Until this summer. You may think of Mr. Wolfe only as the guy in the funny white suit. Perhaps seen him on the Simpsons, or caught him on Charlie Rose over the years. He has since become one of the greatest authors of the twentieth century.



Over the summer I have caught up on the Wolfe canon. For newcomers, start with "Hooking Up". It is a fairly recent collection of short stories and reprints of older magazine articles. After that work backwads through his book list. Each will give you a thorough grounding of the era it was written in.



I've begun collecting signed first editions. I hope he lives forever!



Toad

Photo courtesy of Todd Selby of theselby.com