Has worked as a bartender, carpenter, coalminer, factory worker, logger, farmer, high school teacher of Spanish, college instructor in writing, clerk-typist, and truck driver.
Two for Survival was selected as one of the children's books of the year, 1976, by the Children's Book Committee of the Child Study Association.
Under pseudonym Pete Pomeroy: Wipeout! (1968) The Mallory Burn (1971) Crash at Salty Bay (1972)
Under pseudonym Barney Mara: Forest Fire
Under pseudonym Nina Hoy: The Runaway (1979)
Under pseudonym Slater McGurk: The Grand Central Murders (1964) The Denmark Bus (1966) The Big Dig (1968)
This book was good but at times it was hard keeping track of the different characters. The twist at the end was predictable from very early. Of all the Arthur J. Roth's books, this one may be my least favorite. But it's still not bad.
I loved all survival stories as a kid, but this one was one of my most re-read. I think the 'unlikely friendship' angle was what made it one of the better ones for me.
A solidly-written story about survival and friendship, Two for Survival may not be great, but it is quick and easy to enjoy. I saw the twist coming a mile away, since the clues were a bit heavy-handed, but there is good tension in the suspenseful scenes. I liked that Mark and John, though there was some tension between them at first, didn't just start out as enemies. They weren't quite comfortable together at the start, but they came to trust and like each other in an organic, believable way. Mark and John's relationship was the best aspect of the book, which can be repetitive in places. But it's a good story in general, and certainly doesn't deserve to be out of print.
This was the first novel I really got into as a kid. Bought it again for my 12 year old and I to read together. Excellent survival story with a few twists. Recommend to any parents trying to get their kids to put down the video game controller and pick up a book.