Larry: Thoughts of Youth

by Larry Foster

Presents a collection of letters and journal entries by a gifted young college student who died in an accident while vacationing in Arizona.

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1931

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this a few years ago in Ridgewood's (NJ) library book sale area. I picked it up because it was old (1923)and when I noticed it was about a Ridgewood person I bought it, that was all. Ridgewood used to be one of my favorite towns. Finally decided to read it. Read a few passages and flipped back to read the forward. It made me stop and sit back, for whatever reason I was shocked or amazed. I had no idea what the book was about when I bought it. I had wrongly guessed it was about a town father. Instead, it was about an incredibly thoughtful and eloquent young man. It's a short book, letters and pages of his diaries from his first 2 years of college.

His thoughts, dreams and experiences are so well written for one so young (18 -19). According to the forward, there were no changes made to any of his writing. I think the reason this story made such an impact on me is how it came to be.

At the close of his sophomore year he went to Arizona for his summer vacation. A few days before his return, he went horseback riding to watch the sunset. He even posed for a picture which is in the book. He didn't return, a search was made. It was figured he was sitting on the ground holding the lariat, his horse spooked, the lariat caught on Larry's wrist, he had gained his feet for a bit, but tripped and hit his head on a stump and died. There was a demand for his papers and eventually this book was published.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This young man, Larry, is a miracle. Such class. What an example. It changed the way I think, the way I write in my journal.

Here is an interesting story about this book: My mother gave me this book when I was about 16 years old. She told me that she named me after this young man, Larry. She was so excited about it. But not me. I did not read it. I lost it after many years. I recently was telling a friend how I got my name, and mentioned this book. A man overheard me and told me that his family was the owner of that ranch where Larry had visited and died. He later sent me some pictures of Larry.

So I decided to finally read the book (bought it on-line). I am 70 years old. Sorry it took so long, Mom. Sorry it took so long to have it change my life.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diary of a guy who went to NMT and ultimately died (1931).