Will Rogers His Life and Times Author:Richard M. Ketchum For much of the first third of this century, Will Rogers was not only America's pre-eminent humorist; he was the down-to-earth, horse-sense conscience of the nation. — Will Rogers, His Life and Times is a fine evocation of a turbulent age as well as the moving story of an American who richly earned the honor and affection that ... more »he still receives from his fellow citizens. Roger's live (1979-1935) personified a great range of the American experience. Part Cherokee, he spent his boyhood in what was still Indian Territory, and his earliest ambition was to become the world's best trick roper. Yet here you see how he also became the most popular and best0loved columnist, speaker, broadcaster, and movie actor in the history of the U.S.--a friend of Presidents, statesmen, politicians, and prominent figures. his biography has been prepared with the full cooperation of the Rogers family and the Will Rogers Memorial Commission in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Will Rogers, Jr., and Paula M. Love, curator of the Memorial, have given American Heritage complete access to all the family's and the Memorial's records. COLLECTIONS OF WILL ROGERS' SAYINGS To capture the unique flavor of Roger' wry and inimitable style, the narrative is supplemented with anthologies of his comments. These range from an acerb opinion of European art galleries ("They call it Art to get to take off the clothes") to the Scopes "monkey" trial (I don't know why some of these states want to have their ancestry established by law. There must be a suspicion of doubt somewhere").
The illustrations More than 300 illustrations show Rogers on stage and off, in public and at home. There are sequences of his astounding artistry with a lariat, family snapshots, movie stills--a rich portrayal of a wonderfully picturesque man.
THE AUTHOR Richard M. Ketchum, a Senior Editor of American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., is the author of a number of books, including The Winter Soldiers; The Secret Life of the Forest; and Faces From the Past, a collection of profiles of unusually interesting American men and women. His series of articles, "Men of the Revolution," appears in American Heritage magazine.« less