The World of Damon Runyon

by Tom Clark

The World of Damon Runyon is not a conventional biography. It is an evocation of an American scene. Tom Clark has written not only a life of Runyon, but also a story of the man's times and the world he inhabited. Clark follows Rounyon from his lonely youth in the old West to success and notoriety in a world of Broadway haunts, fight rings, Press boxes, etc.

303 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Clark was an American poet, editor and biographer. Clark was educated at the University of Michigan and served as poetry editor of "The Paris Review" from 1963 to 1973 and published numerous volumes of poetry with Black Sparrow Press. His literary essays and reviews have appeared in "The New York Times," "Times Literary Supplement," and many other journals.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Biography by association" that provides lots of information about the times and people (characters) around Damon Runyon. Very, very interesting! Will read again.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not what might be called a conventional biography of Damon Runyon, and Clark has sought to ensure that the reader gets a fair picture of the times in which Runyon lived as well as learning his story. Runyon was a complicated man (but, then, who isn't?), but he was, too, an intriguing and gifted guy, and it is fascinating to follow the highs and lows of his life --and it is intersting to read this alongside the Jimmy Breslin biography.