tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post6423415820491483530..comments2024-03-28T05:15:00.483-07:00Comments on Buddies in the Saddle: Samuel Merwin, The Road-Builders (1905)Ron Scheerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-2219741027373619232012-12-04T04:59:51.454-08:002012-12-04T04:59:51.454-08:00There have always been those whose American Dream ...There have always been those whose American Dream is to grab as much as they can get by fair means or foul.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-88027476329582569572012-12-01T10:52:26.768-08:002012-12-01T10:52:26.768-08:00The greed for land as a means to assert power appe...The greed for land as a means to assert power appears to be a recurring theme in western novels including those revolving around mining and railroad stories. Westerns like these depict the triumph of the human spirit in the face of extreme hardships. Thanks for the review, Ron.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-16271052742899434532012-12-01T06:47:40.159-08:002012-12-01T06:47:40.159-08:00Thanks, Walker. Father and son must have had some ...Thanks, Walker. Father and son must have had some interesting talks about fiction writing, as Merwin Sr. had very "literary" standards, which wouldn't have squared with what Merwin Jr. was writing and publishing.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-29626919484691129952012-11-30T16:51:47.379-08:002012-11-30T16:51:47.379-08:00Another interesting fact about Samuel Merwin, he w...Another interesting fact about Samuel Merwin, he was the father of Samuel Merwin, Jr(1910-1996), who also wrote several mystery and SF novels. He also edited STARTLING AND THRILLING WONDER during the last years of the pulps and then went on to be associate editor of GALAXY for a couple years. He also edited MIKE SHAYNE MYSTERY MAGAZINE for awhile. Quite a famous father and son team for those in the know.Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-71233303660409726552012-11-30T13:41:04.222-08:002012-11-30T13:41:04.222-08:00If I remember the context correctly, he was using ...If I remember the context correctly, he was using "romance" to mean any kind of adventure story. But you can think of adventures that also have strong characters. He might counter by saying that strong characters are not necessarily realistic. They can be just as contrived as the plot. True, but like you, I wouldn't be satisfied with that answer.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-39521120241181686022012-11-30T10:19:24.407-08:002012-11-30T10:19:24.407-08:00Interesting statement, that "romance puts plo...Interesting statement, that "romance puts plot before character." I'm gonna have to give that some thought. I'm not sure I agree.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-89940415483516016832012-11-30T10:12:43.111-08:002012-11-30T10:12:43.111-08:00Not so much, Oscar. It's more about people, so...Not so much, Oscar. It's more about people, sort of the way you find the story told in "Hell on Wheels."Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-59836944827799668132012-11-30T10:03:16.716-08:002012-11-30T10:03:16.716-08:00Sounds like a more technically oriented story than...Sounds like a more technically oriented story than some of the other railroad novels. Thanks for the review.Oscar Casehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10328166606910469945noreply@blogger.com