Drinker With a Writing Problem

by Kinky Friedman

Drinker With A Writing Problem is the long-awaited compilation of Kinky Friedman's Texas Monthly "back page" columns. This commentary on life, love, patriotism, politics, haunted hotels, country music and country music stars, pets, second mothers, the Internet, life on the road and true friendship "…locks in Kinky Friedman as this generation's Mark Twain…". "It's remarkable that the same author is responsible for the columns 'My E-piphany', 'Room With A Boo', 'Case Open' and 'The Navigator'. Will Rogers could not have done better." "Even if you have never read Kinky Friedman, as long as you enjoy brilliant satire and an irreverent way of looking at life, this is the book for you."Vandam Press is proud to be able to make this compilation, soon to be a classic, available to Kinky’s old friends and to those readers worldwide who are discovering Kinky Friedman for the first time.The reviewers rave about Kinky "The world's funniest, bawdiest and most politically incorrect music singer turned mystery writer." (New York Times Book Review) "Friedman cinches his credentials as a great Southern storyteller. He combines the deductive moxie of a Chandler or a Hammett with the boisterous irreverence of a stream-of-consciousness raconteur, and the blend is a pungent delight." (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) "Author Richard Friedman was given the nickname Kinky for his curly 'Jewish natural' hairdo, not for his sexual proclivities. But it might just as well been for his writing style, which is full of twists and turns and Friedman's particular brand of skewed humor." (USA Today)] "Brash, crass and colorful." (Houston Chronicle) "Smart, funny and tough." (Robert B. Parker, author) "The Sam Spade of South Texas. Only soft boiled. And hipper. And funnier." (Sunday Mail) "Kinky is a hip hybrid of Groucho Marx and Sam Spade." (Chicago Tribune) "Kinky's the best writer to come along since Dashiell What's-His-Name." (Willie Nelson) "A true Texas legend." (former President George W. Bush) "Dear Kinky, I have now read all of your books. More, please. I really need the laughs." (former President Bill Clinton) "Uproariously irreverent." (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the six-person race.

Friedman was born in Chicago to Jewish parents, Dr. S. Thomas Friedman and his wife Minnie (Samet) Friedman. The family moved to a ranch in central Texas a few years later. Friedman had an early interest in both music and chess, and was chosen at age 7 as one of 50 local players to challenge U.S. grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky to simultaneous matches in Houston. Reshevsky won all 50 matches, but Friedman was by far the youngest competitor.

Friedman graduated from Austin High School in Austin, Texas in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966, majoring in Psychology. He took part in the Plan II Honors program and was a member of the Tau Delta Phi fraternity. During his freshman year, Chinga Chavin gave Friedman the nickname "Kinky" because of his curly hair.

Friedman served two years in the United States Peace Corps, teaching on Borneo in Malaysia with John Gross. During his service in the Peace Corps, he met future Texas Jewboy road manager Dylan Ferrero, with whom he still works today. Friedman lives at Echo Hill Ranch, his family's summer camp near Kerrville, Texas. He founded Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, also located near Kerrville, whose mission is to care for stray, abused and aging animals; more than 1,000 dogs have been saved from animal euthanasia.

Series:
* Kinky Friedman Mystery

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty much just a yawn. I'm not sure how this guy managed to maintain a monthly column (of which this is a collection) without boring his readers to tears. I gave up after about 20-25% of the book.