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The Left-Handed Monkey Wrench: Stories and Essays
Selections from the author's uncompleted second novel and stories about a lonely warrant officer, a crafty sailor, and a proud engineer are accompanied by essays about historical research and naval life and reform.
- GenresNonfiction
335 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1986
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About the author
Richard McKenna
68 books22 followersRICHARD MCKENNA was born and raised in the small desert town of Mountain Home, Idaho. In 1931, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for ten years in Asia. Two of those years were on a Yangtze River gunboat. During this time he heard many firsthand accounts of the 1925-1927 Chinese Revolution which he put to use in The Sand Pebbles.
Mr. McKenna, a machinist's mate, served in World War II on a large troop transport operating on all oceans, and stayed on through the Korean War on a destroyer. In 1953 he retired from the Navy after twenty-two years of service and entered the University of North Carolina. He received his degree in English in 1956, married one of the university librarians, and settled down in Chapel Hill to become a writer. He wrote short stories for the Saturday Evening Post, Argosy and other magazines. The Sand Pebbles was his first novel.
Mr. McKenna died unexpectedly from a coronary in 1964.
Mr. McKenna, a machinist's mate, served in World War II on a large troop transport operating on all oceans, and stayed on through the Korean War on a destroyer. In 1953 he retired from the Navy after twenty-two years of service and entered the University of North Carolina. He received his degree in English in 1956, married one of the university librarians, and settled down in Chapel Hill to become a writer. He wrote short stories for the Saturday Evening Post, Argosy and other magazines. The Sand Pebbles was his first novel.
Mr. McKenna died unexpectedly from a coronary in 1964.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 16, 2016
One of my favorite books (and movies) is Richard McKenna’s ‘The Sand Pebbles.’ Unfortunately, McKenna died before he could complete any more novels. This book ‘The Left-Handed Monkey Wrench’ is a collection of McKenna’s short stories, essays, and chapters from his uncompleted second novel, ‘The Sons of Martha.’
The book consists of three parts. The first third consists of three short stories, each about life in the engine room of Navy ships stationed in or around China in the 1930s, and they each deal with the tension that comes when knowledge comes in conflict with rank and experience.
The second third consists of three essays. The third one is especially noteworthy. It is titled ‘The Wreck of Uncle Josephus’ and is a short biography of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels during the Woodrow Wilson administration. McKenna’s main interest in all his works is the triumph of the common man. In this article, he outlines the change in status that occurred with the common sailor during the tenure of Josephus Daniels, and he credits the change to Daniels.
The final third of the book consists of four chapters from ‘The Sons of Martha,’ his unfinished second novel. Similar to ‘The Sand Pebbles,’ this story concerns a young sailor working in the engineering department of a Navy ship. While the four chapters are not enough to figure out the overarching view of the story, each chapter stands alone in detailing the life of the young protagonist as he learns his trade and adjusts to Navy life.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has read and liked ‘The Sand Pebbles.’
The book consists of three parts. The first third consists of three short stories, each about life in the engine room of Navy ships stationed in or around China in the 1930s, and they each deal with the tension that comes when knowledge comes in conflict with rank and experience.
The second third consists of three essays. The third one is especially noteworthy. It is titled ‘The Wreck of Uncle Josephus’ and is a short biography of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels during the Woodrow Wilson administration. McKenna’s main interest in all his works is the triumph of the common man. In this article, he outlines the change in status that occurred with the common sailor during the tenure of Josephus Daniels, and he credits the change to Daniels.
The final third of the book consists of four chapters from ‘The Sons of Martha,’ his unfinished second novel. Similar to ‘The Sand Pebbles,’ this story concerns a young sailor working in the engineering department of a Navy ship. While the four chapters are not enough to figure out the overarching view of the story, each chapter stands alone in detailing the life of the young protagonist as he learns his trade and adjusts to Navy life.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has read and liked ‘The Sand Pebbles.’
August 21, 2021
Meticulously researched fiction and nonfiction from a master who left us far to soon. Predominantly focused on a far to often overlooked area of US history - Far East Naval service just before WWII - McKenna brings to life a time and it's people that is vanishingly close to being forgotten. Read it and remember.
March 19, 2007
a must read to any who served in the engine rooms of ships
( Naval or merchant)
( Naval or merchant)
March 18, 2024
I loved the history behind red light districts, cup of Joe, and how the sailors were treated as prisoners and second class citizens. Unfortunately this history is not well known, yet the stereotypes of sailors persist.
July 25, 2012
An all time favorite
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews