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Paper Hero
Paper Hero is a history of Leon Hale's youth, from birth in the small town of Stephenville through a series of homes in various partS of west Texas, and, finally, his college days at Texas Tech and combat duty in World War II.
From his earliest days, Leon Hale was a daydreamer who invented wonderful drama out of mundane events. And of course he cast himself in the leading roles of these Walter Mitty-like dreams. He became aware early in life, he writes, "that it was my purpose to be heroic now and then." Such as the time - he was only six - that he rescued his family from a burning house (no matter that his sisters remember it differently). And the time he played the trumpet with his pal Harry James at the Aragon Ballroom on the West Coast. And the day he bought his mother the house she had always wanted. Wishes all.
From his earliest days, Leon Hale was a daydreamer who invented wonderful drama out of mundane events. And of course he cast himself in the leading roles of these Walter Mitty-like dreams. He became aware early in life, he writes, "that it was my purpose to be heroic now and then." Such as the time - he was only six - that he rescued his family from a burning house (no matter that his sisters remember it differently). And the time he played the trumpet with his pal Harry James at the Aragon Ballroom on the West Coast. And the day he bought his mother the house she had always wanted. Wishes all.
236 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1999
15 people want to read
About the author
Leon Hale
32 books10 followersLeon Hale was an American journalist and author. He worked as a columnist for the Houston Chronicle from 1984 until his retirement in 2014. Before that, he had a column in the Houston Post for 32 years. He was the author of twelve books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 28, 2018
I just finished “Paper Hero” and like all of your books that I’ve read so far (working my way through) I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I loved your Mother’s “grow to you” saying, your Dad’s “need any help?” sales opener and being transported to your early life. I loved how often you were in love!! I admit I did have to look up bilious! If only we all worked as hard and were as kind and helpful to each other as the people were back then. And when you realized your accent was deemed different, well that was hilarious and something many of us can relate to. Thank you for sharing your fabulous story telling skills with us
February 5, 2022
A warm, humorous, often poignant memoir about growing up in small town West Texas during the Depression, by one of my favorite columnists. Reading his columns in the early 70's while living in Houston, I thought of Hale as a city dweller who had never abandoned his rural and small town roots, but reading about his coming of age in such humble circumstances was a revelation.
By all means, revisit his columns in any or all of his collections, but don't pass this one by.
By all means, revisit his columns in any or all of his collections, but don't pass this one by.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews