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80th out of 121 books
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Education of a Wandering Man
From his decision to leave school at fifteen to roam the world, to his recollections of life as a hobo on the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a cattle skinner in Texas, as a merchant seaman in Singapore and the West Indies, and as an itinerant bare-knuckled prizefighter across small-town America, here is Louis L'Amour's memoir of his lifelong love affair with learning--from ...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
November 1st 1990
by Bantam
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I looked at the number of books and also at what books they were; I had no idea he read so many "classics"--many of them are in the Great Books set or are recognized now as great literature. I have read hundreds of books, but I don't think I've read anywhere near as many "highbrow" books. I need to do the work, tackle the harder and lesser known stuff.
I'm inclined to use this as an argument against the mindset that 'everyone needs a college degree'. I recognize...more
I'm inclined to use this as an argument against the mindset that 'everyone needs a college degree'. I recognize...more
No. I think there is a whole generation that loves his writing and I'm sure they have good reason, but his autobiography was just odd. It started out sounding like he was bragging about how many books he's read, and then it just dragged on. It seemed like everything was an excuse for him not receiving a formal education, and that his experiences were just as good. Sorry, it doesn't work that way.
It's sad that he didn't mention anything about his children or his wife, who I'm sure were ...more
It's sad that he didn't mention anything about his children or his wife, who I'm sure were ...more
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I am fascinated with how much this man read! And all the while he was making a living doing hard manual labor, traveling, writing - he inspires me to try to fit in more reading time! He must have taken advantage of EVERY spare minute.
I love his wry humor and accurate descriptions of human nature.
I love his wry humor and accurate descriptions of human nature.
I loved reading about this man. He was so much more than just a western writer. He had one of the largest private libraries in the country in his time. But he was a very modest man and in his library his outward set of bookshelves moved to reveal an internal aet. He didn't want to intimidate anyone. Also, I remember reading that some young person told him they wished they could skip their education and live a life like he did. He told them that would be really stupid. He said instead they would ...more
This is a memoir of a lifelong love affair with learning and books. Self-taught both through experience and by reading, Louis L'amour fills his account of his life with both action and reflection. The result was a story of a unique journey that I found uplifting. His list of books rivals any "great books" list that I have ever seen and suggests his signature western novels have an unexpected literary foundation. His story of a life of travel and self-education is as interesting as ...more
I have never read another Louis L'Amour book in my life, but after reading a brief review of this book, I picked it up at my local library. It has been one of those books that, almost 20 years after reading, I look upon as having been very influential in shaping my perspective of a specific people and time. He describes his life during the depression era as a "hobo" and is very careful to differentiate the hobos of the time from what we would consider "bums". This is the stor...more
Last month was the 100th year anniversary of Louis L'Amour's birth. I felt that reading his memior was a good way to celebrate his birth.
I grew up in a home surrounded by the books of Louis L'Amour. He was one of my father's favorite fiction authors, and we listened to more than one of his books on tape during our family car trips. It was fascinating to learn more about L'Amour.
This book is more about L'Amour's philosphy about self-education and the importance of readi...more
I grew up in a home surrounded by the books of Louis L'Amour. He was one of my father's favorite fiction authors, and we listened to more than one of his books on tape during our family car trips. It was fascinating to learn more about L'Amour.
This book is more about L'Amour's philosphy about self-education and the importance of readi...more
I've always avoided reading any Louis L'Amour and the whole "Western" genre, but I had read a paragraph of this book over someone's shoulder on a whitewater rafting bus, and I was intrigued. He wanders around topics, but rarely in an annoying way. He covers some of his life adventures and how they help shaped him into the man and writer he was to become. But the main focus seems to be his love of all books and how they specifically educated him for his adventures and later writing. ...more
Very fascinating read! I read the first chapter and agreed with much of what was said. L'Amour is spot on in his opionions and remarks about decisionmaking and education.
A few favorite thoughts from the book:
"Decisions had to be made and there was nobody but me to make them. My course altered a number of times but never deviated from the destination I had decided upon. Whether this was altogether a matter of choice I do not know..."
"It is ...more
A few favorite thoughts from the book:
"Decisions had to be made and there was nobody but me to make them. My course altered a number of times but never deviated from the destination I had decided upon. Whether this was altogether a matter of choice I do not know..."
"It is ...more
Shortly before his death in June 1988, Louis L’Amour completed writing his most unique adventure story: a personal reflection on his lifelong love affair with learning.
Louis L'Amour left school at 14 or 15 (I can't remember exactly what age:) because public education just wasn't cutting it for him. Everything they had to teach him was just to generally done. He wanted to know in depth historical facts and causes of all things that the public system would just skim over. So he left an...more
Louis L'Amour left school at 14 or 15 (I can't remember exactly what age:) because public education just wasn't cutting it for him. Everything they had to teach him was just to generally done. He wanted to know in depth historical facts and causes of all things that the public system would just skim over. So he left an...more
One of my favorite books, L'amour writes about his love of books and how important they were to him. This was the book that got me really into reading. It was a book I had to read for a class through BYU. It opened my eyes to how much aa effect a collection of words could have on people. After this book I couldn't stop reading more. L'amour is a great story teller also, it was a definite page turner.
Warning:
These reviews are to help me process my reading and improve my writing. They may be useful to other readers, too; just don't be turned off by their personal nature.
Who is Louis L'Amour?
He read over 100 books a year. He worked hard labor and starved throughout 1930's America. He was a boxer. He wrote novels about the American West. And I learned all this from Louis L'Amour's memoir, The Education of a Wandering Man.
I did not intend to re...more
These reviews are to help me process my reading and improve my writing. They may be useful to other readers, too; just don't be turned off by their personal nature.
Who is Louis L'Amour?
He read over 100 books a year. He worked hard labor and starved throughout 1930's America. He was a boxer. He wrote novels about the American West. And I learned all this from Louis L'Amour's memoir, The Education of a Wandering Man.
I did not intend to re...more
I never thought I would ever read a book by Louis L'Amour, but read I have. I then happened upon "Education of a Wandering Man" and was thoroughly impressed by this gentleman's experiences and how he has translated them into such great works of literature. There are many tidbits of wisdom found in this book, it is definitely worth the read.
I have just re-read this wonderful autobiography of Louis L'Amour's early adult life as he wandered around America reading whatever books and periodical she came across. During the depression, he like so many young men, traveled from job to job all over the western states doing everything from teaching to ditch-digging. Unlike most, he was a rabid reader with a broad range of interests.
He left formal education early because he wanted to know more in both quantity and depth about so m...more
He left formal education early because he wanted to know more in both quantity and depth about so m...more
A good read with a lot of insight nto not just L'Amour, but I think many young men finding their way in pre-depression, pre- WWII America. Self agrandizing at times, but if you are writing about yourself I suppose you must go for it.
I don't like Louis L'Amour, his writing, or really any of his books. I'm only reading this for my book club. It seems like he's just bragging about how many books he read in his life... sure, I'm only into it about 25 pages, but I don't like it.
For years, I enjoyed reading the stories of Louis L’Amour, and sometimes I still dip back into them. Part of why I enjoyed them so much was that they generally accorded with my own (admittedly limited) knowledge of the history, anthropology, sociology, and geography of the times and areas about which he wrote. He once said that if he wrote about a spring, it was there and the water was good to drink. On at least one occasion, I tested that general assertion, and found it to be true. I believe th...more
I read this book every couple of years.
L'Amour was one of the great writers.
Having said that, I purchase copies of this book to give to struggling high school students so they can see that others before them struggled and became successful. They can see the work it takes to become successful without a formal education.
One quote from one of those high school students: "I never knew you could learn something from books."
I recommend this...more
L'Amour was one of the great writers.
Having said that, I purchase copies of this book to give to struggling high school students so they can see that others before them struggled and became successful. They can see the work it takes to become successful without a formal education.
One quote from one of those high school students: "I never knew you could learn something from books."
I recommend this...more
I liked reading about "his reading" and his adventures were an insight into his later writing style. It shows how he became both a storyteller and a teacher. Harold Bloom's "How to Read and Why" and Carolyn See's book "Making a Literary Life", were also books about reading but L'Amour's autobiography brings a new dimension to this approach. I suspect that many will have come to this book as solid Louis L'Amour fans but for me the desire to read about books brought ...more
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Nickie
rated it
Recommends it for:
all parents whishing to inspire their children and selves toward greatness.
This is not a book about bragging.
For anyone who understands what it means to work hard for a scholarly education, you will find this book amazing. Far to many people do not understand that true learning is rarely found in the public/private educational system.
Breadth and Depth knowledge and wisdom comes when you have read for 3,000+ hours in the very books that Louis and other great statesman read in their times.
Louis L'Amour came to realize this concept a...more
For anyone who understands what it means to work hard for a scholarly education, you will find this book amazing. Far to many people do not understand that true learning is rarely found in the public/private educational system.
Breadth and Depth knowledge and wisdom comes when you have read for 3,000+ hours in the very books that Louis and other great statesman read in their times.
Louis L'Amour came to realize this concept a...more
I'm a big fan of Louis L'Amour and this book only cemented it. A very nice autobiography describing a time in our country when a man could make his way in the world with hard work and intelligence, without having to check the block of a paper degree. I was especially interested in his time as a merchant mariner, and his travels in the Orient. The world has definitely changed and become smaller.
I had to read this book for a college English class. I read if for the first time years ago and every once in a while I pull it out to read again and again. I love this book. It's an all time classic that reminds me of the importance of reading and the opportunities that are available with books. I have recommended it to friends and family who have also loved it.
Louis L'Amour was a famous writer. He is most famous for his westerns several of which were adapted to film. This is a memoir of his life and how he became a writer. It is a must read for any aspiring fiction author but is also entertaining as well. He shares many stories of his life after he left home at the age of 15 and began traveling west.
Although I'm not a huge fan of L'amour's writing, I did really enjoy this account of how he obtained his education. I loved his insights into life and education. He was truly an amazing man, proving that much of anyone's education does and should go beyond the classroom. His experiences remind me that education should be a constant endeavor to continue for my entire life.
Very interesting account of L'Amour's eclectic education. As much as I enjoyed his thoughts on books and writing, I was more interested in what he had to say about the process of learning itself. He makes some fair criticisms of the American educational system which are even more true now then there were when he wrote them.
I have been meaning to read this book for years. Whilst back in the states, I was able to find it an was elated as the book had been recommended by many.
It's rare to come across an author who thinks about the journey in the same fashion as the reader and when it does happen, the book is a gem.
For me reading this book, inspires me further in my writing, even just for the sake of writing. Heavily recommended.
It's rare to come across an author who thinks about the journey in the same fashion as the reader and when it does happen, the book is a gem.
For me reading this book, inspires me further in my writing, even just for the sake of writing. Heavily recommended.
I loved this book. L'Amour was an amazing person who was inspired by learning and continued learning his whole life. Even at the end of his life he regretted all that he had not had time to learn. Yet, it seemed to me that he didn't waste any time. My kids liked it that he simply didn't have time to go out with other young men and drink. He was too busy reading.
I wrote about this book in my reader's journal and the bulk of it is just a list of quotes. Louis L'Amour said a lot o...more
I wrote about this book in my reader's journal and the bulk of it is just a list of quotes. Louis L'Amour said a lot o...more
I just read this for a second time. I think I could read it again and still get more out of it. It is filled with wisdom that is beneficial for all. Two of my favorite quotations from the book:
I think the greatest gift anyone can give to another is the desire to know, to understand. Life is not for simply watching spectator sports, or for taking part in them; it is no for simply living from one working day to the next. Life is for delving, discovering, learning.
Oft...more
I think the greatest gift anyone can give to another is the desire to know, to understand. Life is not for simply watching spectator sports, or for taking part in them; it is no for simply living from one working day to the next. Life is for delving, discovering, learning.
Oft...more
Louis L'amour is a remarkably well-educated man who followed none of the accepted educational dogma of our day. He read to learn, and learned what he needed to know and what he wanted to know. And the result was a man who has thought and read far more deeply than most.
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Louis L'Amour was an American author. L'Amour's books, primarily Western fiction, remain enormously popular, and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death all 101 of his works were in print (86 novels, 14 short-story collections and one full-length work of nonfiction) and he was considered "one of the world's most popular writers".
-Wikipedia
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-Wikipedia
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“I have read my books by many lights, hoarding their beauty, their wit or wisdom against the dark days when I would have no book, nor a place to read. I have known hunger of the belly kind many times over, but I have known a worse hunger: the need to know and to learn.”
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“A book is less important for what it says than for what it makes you think.”
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