L'Amour Book Disappointment

[AxelP]

John that's cool that you went on one of Terry Johnston's speaking tours. I always thought that would be fun. I never met the man personally, but I did correspond with him back and forth by letters (before the internet). We had an interesting dialogue to be sure. I wrote to him at first intending to just tell him how much I liked his books but also because I was bothered by a certain direction that the Plainsmen Series was going. About 3-4 books in, I noticed that the series started getting rather--- uhmm explicit?? This was a long time before such explicit entertainment like Deadwood etc... I truly felt that this detracted from the series and I still do...so I told him so. He wrote me back a rather scathing letter comparing me to an old woman and that I should stop reading his books. That this explicit sexual detail was a tool to keep the reader's attention... etc... LOL.

We wrote back and forth a few times more and I think he came to a better understanding of why I felt the way I did-- I hope so, and I certainly learned why he added that information to his books. I think we both walked away satisfied. And I noticed that the last books in the series were more tempered in that regard-- Not sure it was because of me or not--probably not.

I was very sad when I heard he had lost his fight with cancer. I sure enjoyed his writing. The history and his research was really good in spite of the few practical errors. I missed the char cloth reference wherever it was... but you were right in calling that out. He sure had a gift of telling a gripping tale. Both he and Bernard Cornwell have similar writing styles. I talked via email to Bernard Cornwell a few times too. He does not take himself quite as seriously as Terry Johnston did, and I enjoyed our conversations back and forth better I think.

Ken

[Bigsmoke]

Joe, you said

and I have quite the collection of books to read in my retirement next year (at least that's always been my plan).

  I got a real chuckle out of that.  Reason being, back in the mid 70's I got caught up in the Old West series put out by Time Life.  I bought every single last one of the series to have something to read after we moved to Idaho.  Evidently I was thinking about being snowed in at our cabin in the woods or some such thing.  Just a little advance planning?
Then reality hit, we invested in a pair of snowmobiles and who had time to sit and read in the winter?  Not us, that's for sure.  From first snow, we were out in the mountains on Saturday and Sunday, plus after work at least two nights a week, sometimes three.  Now up to present day, I have been retired a little over three years now, and have I even pulled out one of those, or any of the two big bookcases that are jammed with books?  NO, I have not.  So, bottom line is I have this full set of very nice books in my bookcase that have only been opened enough to flip through the pages and then put away.  No idea why I am even keeping them anymore.

[AxelP]

The biggest deterrent to me reading more is that my eyes have had too many birthdays and I am still not used to reading thru glasses. I am getting better at it but I cannot sit and read for very long anymore. I end up falling asleep. I am not too ancient yet at 54, but man, my eyes are not what they used to be. It seems like the more I am out in the woods, and away from this computer the better my eyes get though so your response is encouragement to get out in the woods more. I dont have snow mobiles but I do have several pairs of snowshoes and I try to use them when we get snow up here. My dog loves to try and stand on them when we are in deep drifts... funny.

[Bigsmoke]

Eyes?  OK, here's one about eyes.
In 1992 I went to get my driver's license renewed.  The gal behind the desk had me read the chart, and frankly, most everything was kind of blury.  She, being the comedienne she was, inquired if I wore glasses.  I replied No, I do not.  To which she came back with, Well sir, if you want to get a driver's license you will.  So I did.  It was amazing how much better I could see targets, too.  Fast forward 18 years.  I had to get a California license.  Went down to DMV and they did an eye check on me - no problem, was not required to wear glasses.  I had to renew in person last August.  Went through the same drill about reading the chart.  This very nice lady asks if I wear contact lenses.  Nope, I replied.  To which she responded, My goodness, for a man your age, you have very good eyesight.  Well, thanks, I guess.
However, I have found that it is more comfortable to read with some dime store reading glasses than without.  I also find computer work to be easier.  Was no problem getting used to them.

I know what you mean about Johnson getting more explicit with his writings.  Seems like a few friends and myself took to calling his stuff Prairie Porn.  I also saw no need for that, his stories were draw enough for me without putting that stuff in it. And yes, you are right about his temperament.  He did not take kindly to anyone criticizing his writing.  Pretty narrow minded, I thought.  The trip I took with him had all the potential to be wonderful, but as it worked out, not so much.  I wound up selling a nice rifle that I wish I had back to finance part of the trip.  Bad deal.  Also a set of 4 chrome wheels and brand new tires, plus an Olds manifold and 3 carburetor intake setup.  Not worth it at all.
John
 

[AxelP]

LOL its strange but the more time I spend away from computers and tv the better my eyes seem to be.

I think ol' Terry may have been drinking a bit when he wrote his scathing reply... because the next letter was like night and day. Sorry the trip was not so good. I took my own tour of the Modoc Indian Wars and took his book along with me. It was a great day driving, exploring and flipping pages... Lava Beds National Monument near Klamath Falls.

Ken