Synopses & Reviews
In 1927, a teenager challenged himself and two friends to an unusual test: he dared each of them to start keeping a diary, and theyd see who could keep his the longest. In 1995long after hed won the contest (68 years and more than 22 million words later, to be exactEdward Robb Ellis published this richly entertaining book, drawn from his Guinness World Record-recognized diary.
Press credentials granted the eagle-eyed Ellis a front-row seat to many major events of the 20th century, and he captures them here in a vivid, pictorial stylewhether covering politicians like Huey Long, movie stars and performers such as Grace Kelly and Paul Robeson, or history-making news events, including the creation of the United Nations. He recounts his encounter with the legendarily witty Mae Westwhose press agent turns out to be feeding lines to her. He chronicles a New Orleans jazz joint in the 30s where he interviews a talented, young trumpeter: Louie Armstrong. He writes of taking long strolls with Harry Truman, and of observing Senator Joseph McCarthy for the first time.
The sparkle in Elliss writing comes not solely from his encounters with the rich and famous, but from his attentiveness to, and enjoyment of, everyday life. In Elliss own words, this is not a record of world deeds, mighty achievements, conquests” but the drama of the unfolding life of one individual, day after day after day.”
In addition to two 16-page photographic inserts, the book contains original caricatures drawn by the author.
Synopsis
In 1927, three Illinois teenagers dared one another to see who could keep a diary the longest. In 1995, 68 years and more than 22 million words after he’d won, Ellis published this rich book, drawn from his Guinness World Record-recognized diary.
Decades as a reporter granted Ellis a front-row seat to major 20th century events, which he captured with candor, whether covering politicians like Harry Truman, movie stars such as Grace Kelly, or historic news events, like the creation of the United Nations. Yet Ellis’s enjoyment of everyday life is as riveting as any headline-grabbing event. As he wrote himself, his diary captures “the drama of the unfolding life of one individual.”