Very entertaining book that was written in the 1920's. Jim Tully's life as a hobo and his adventures as he travels all over the world hopping on trains, hiding from police, and occasionally resorting to violence in order to get away. Dealing with starvation, begging for money, getting drunk, and meeting other very interesting characters. People he meets get into street fights, knife fights, and even die brutal death's trying to get on the trains. Stealing books and cruising the open country on a train car with sun shining bright in his face as he turns the pages to being extremely sick and dying of thirst, the life of a hobo is a very interesting one.Notes & Quotes:*Nabat Books - Dedicated to reprinting forgotten memoirs by various misfits, outsiders, and rebels."A hobo is primarily a worker, a field hand who rides freight trains from one poorly paying job to another to save money." - Charles Willeford"A yegg is a robber, a blower of safes, the aristocrat of the road, and the most dangerous man who travels it." - Jim TullyRed: Where you from, Kid?Jim: I'm from everywhere but here, and I'll be from here soon.
For thesis research...Not much to use here for my thesis. Oh, that's right, I'm done with my thesis... Yes, but I am continuing the research as I'm converting my thesis into a nonfiction book on The American Road Novel. But who cares about this? Back to the book. There's some good anecdotal stories here but not much for plot; the chapters are snapshots of a life on the rods tied up in the end with a bit of socio-cultural commentary. What's most interesting about this book is the fact it's been out of print for decades and this publisher (Nabat) has spent time researching the archives of the Library of Congress to find books of this nature and republish them (i.e. You Can't Win by Jack Black - highly recommended). A publisher myself, and very interested in American history-culture-society, this strategy appeals to me.
Do You like book Beggars Of Life (2010)?
I've heard about this writer and this particular book for decades. Many people described him as a writer of Hemingway's power and depth who never got his due. I truly enjoyed this book and the true life tales of " hoboes" and the just plain transient and desperate struck closer to home these days when jobs are scarce and the right wants to destroy the safety net while the gap between rich and poor becomes a Grand Canyon. But for me the main interest and satisfaction in the book is from its history and exceptional autobiography, not from the discovery of an exceptional underrated writer. There are shining moments that breath with life for sure, but also many sluggish periods and dated prose. But Tully was a strong voice for a part of America most folks don't believe exist or want to imprison/enslave.
—Rupert
