"An anthology of journalist Ring Lardner's writings on sports and other nonfiction topics that collects works that have been mostly unavailable for decades"--
Fictional series of letters from a popular baseball hero to his friend. Humorous collection showcases Lardner as a satirical master at the peak of his form.
This early work by Ring Lardner was originally published in 1925 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'Haircut' is a dark satire about moral blindness. Ring Lardner was born in Niles, Michigan in 1885. He studied engineering at the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago, but did not complete his first semester. In 1907, Lardner obtained his first job as journalist with the South Bend Times. Six years later, he published his first successful book, You Know Me Al, an epistolary novel written in the form of letters by 'Jack Keefe', a bush-league baseball player, to a friend back home. A huge hit, the book earned the appreciation of Virginia Woolf and others. Lardner went on to write such well-known short stories as 'Haircut', 'Some Like Them Cold', 'The Golden Honeymoon', 'Alibi Ike', and 'A Day with Conrad Green'.
An annotated and copiously illustrated edition of the 24 short stories published between 1914 and 1919 by Ring Lardner, which include the stories collected later and known as "You know me, Al."
This collection brings together twenty-one of Lardner’s best pieces, including the six Jack Keefe stories that comprise You Know Me, Al, as well as such familiar favorites as “Alibi Ike,” “Some Like Them Cold,” and “Guillible’s Travels.” For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Ring Lardner, Jr.'s memoir is a pilgrimage through the American century. The son of an immensely popular and influential American writer, Lardner grew up swaddled in material and cultural privilege. After a memorable visit to Moscow in 1934, he worked as a reporter in New York before leaving for Hollywood where he served a bizarre apprenticeship with David O. Selznick, and won, at the age of 28, an Academy Award for the classic film, Woman of the Year, the first on-screen pairing of Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. In "irresistibly readable" pages (New Yorker), peopled by a cast including Carole Lombard, Louis B. Mayer, Dalton Trumbo, Marlene Dietrich, Otto Preminger, Darryl F. Zanuck, Bertolt Brecht, Bert Lahr, Robert Altman, and Muhammad Ali, Lardner recalls the strange existence of a contract screenwriter in the vanished age of the studio system--an existence made stranger by membership in the Hollywood branch of the American Communist Party. Lardner retraces the path that led him to a memorable confrontation with the House Un-American Activities Committee and thence to Federal prison and life on the Hollywood blacklist. One of the lucky few who were able to resume their careers, Lardner won his second Oscar for the screenplay to M.A.S.H. in 1970.
Discover the literary genius of Ring Lardner in "7 Best Short Stories". This book presents a superb selection of the best stories by the renowned American writer, known for his sharp humor and keen observations on everyday life and the world of sports. With unforgettable characters and engaging plots, Lardner captures the complexities and nuances of human relationships and daily experiences. His ability to combine humor and depth offers the reader a unique literary experience, provoking both laughter and reflection. An essential collection for lovers of fine literature, revealing the unparalleled talent of one of the masters of the short story. Check out the stories in this book: - Haircut: a small town's stories are revealed by a barber as he chats with a customer about past events and local characters. - The Golden Honeymoon: a couple celebrates their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Florida, facing challenges and rediscovering their connection. - My Roomy: a baseball player recounts the difficulties of sharing a room with a peculiar roommate who interferes with his game performance. - Horseshoes: rivalries and intense competition emerge during a game of horseshoes, reflecting the competitive life and camaraderie among baseball players. - Harmony: amid the tension of the baseball season, the lack of harmony in the team challenges players and coaches to find a balance to win. - Alibi Ike: Frank Farrell, nicknamed "Alibi Ike", is a baseball player famous for his excuses and justifications for every play, good or bad. - Champion: Midge Kelly, a young boxer, faces challenges and personal struggles as he seeks to establish himself as a champion in the boxing world. If you like short stories, check other books of our collection 7 best short stories and get to know amazing writers of all styles.