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Will Rogers: Ambassador of Good Will, Prince of Wit and Wisdom
Excerpt from Will Rogers
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books.
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. This text has been digitally restored from a historical edition. Some errors may persist, however we consider it worth publishing due to the work's historical value.
The digital edition of all books may be viewed on our website before purchase.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books.
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. This text has been digitally restored from a historical edition. Some errors may persist, however we consider it worth publishing due to the work's historical value.
The digital edition of all books may be viewed on our website before purchase.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1935
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 4, 2012
Cowboy, columnist, actor, humorist, ambassador-at-large, philanthropist, optimist, sage -- not an unfunny, unkind, or unfriendly molecule in his being. Although this particular book is not outstanding, the man it portrays certainly was one of a rare breed. Shakespeare could have been lauding Will Rogers when he wrote:
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'"
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'"
February 20, 2018
A lovely compilation of Will Rogers anecdotes and insights into his life and times. Wiley Post was also included and it was fascinating to learn about his friendship with Rogers.
February 21, 2022
I can't remember the word for a book of biographical puffery that's rushed into print immediately after a celebrity dies. Whatever the word, it's not a new phenomenon; that's what this book was -- Will Rogers: Ambassador of Good Will; Prince of Wit and Wisdom by P J O'Brien. Rogers died in August of 1935, this book came out within the same year.
I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not going to give it a general recommendation, either. It's really just a curiosity. It's full of interesting insights into the people and events of Rogers' lifetime. I learned a lot of good things about him, and only by reading between the lines did I learn one less-than-saintly thing about him: for all his considerable good will, Will Rogers never rose above the casual racism of his day.
Seek it out if you're really curious; otherwise just look up some of his sharp and humorous quotes and think of him fondly for that.
I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not going to give it a general recommendation, either. It's really just a curiosity. It's full of interesting insights into the people and events of Rogers' lifetime. I learned a lot of good things about him, and only by reading between the lines did I learn one less-than-saintly thing about him: for all his considerable good will, Will Rogers never rose above the casual racism of his day.
Seek it out if you're really curious; otherwise just look up some of his sharp and humorous quotes and think of him fondly for that.
February 8, 2020
This biography is of interest mainly because it was the first Biography of Will Rogers. Will Rogers died in the airplane crash with Wiley Post near Point Barrow, Alaska on August 15, 1935 and this book was published before the end of that year! The author must have already been collecting information to publish the biography before Rogers died in order to rush it into print in only a few months.
It is fairly well done, although the style is a little dated, and includes his life story, accomplishments on stage and radio, in print and films, many of his jokes and speeches, and tributes from all over the world. However, I would recommend a more recent biography of Will Rogers, of which I'm sure there are many.
It is fairly well done, although the style is a little dated, and includes his life story, accomplishments on stage and radio, in print and films, many of his jokes and speeches, and tributes from all over the world. However, I would recommend a more recent biography of Will Rogers, of which I'm sure there are many.
December 19, 2017
Will Rogers was someone I always heard about but didn't really know too much about. This book was published in 1935, just months after Rogers' death in a plane crash, so it does read somewhat like a eulogy, though Rogers legitimately seemed like a man most people would have spoken well of. The book is less chronological, rather each chapter deals with a different aspect of Rogers life, from vaudeville to motion pictures to radio to political commentary to family life. It was an easy read, done in two days. It would be interesting to read a biography with more chronological distance from the subject. I also found this an interesting look into the world of celebrity in the 1920s and 30s.
May 7, 2020
How do I put this? I mostly enjoyed this book as a glimpse into the life of Will Rogers. The book is badly written, scatter-shot, repetitive and some of the examples included to show how smart and clever Rogers was are just lame or make no sense. Or "maybe you had to be there." Humor in 1905, and 1928, and 1939, etc. may not translate to today. My grandmother adored Will Rogers and I could see why and on that level reading this book was gratifying. I did chuckle/laugh softly several times and appreciated several stories or quips as "Yeah, I would have enjoyed living when Will was running commentary on the country."
December 25, 2021
A little on the hum-drum side. Informative though. I never knew much about Will Rogers except quotes that pop up every so often.
April 21, 2013
This is a very enjoyable biography of one of America's best-loved entertainers and "home-grown philosphers." It was written in 1935, shortly after Rogers' death, and it's very obvious that the author is a huge fan. This is a loving tribute to Rogers in all his capacities, as a family man, cowboy, newspaper writer, actor, stage performer, comedian, air travel enthusiast and political commentator.
He really was a versatile, intelligent, generous man. I want to look up some of his movies (they are not on Netflix, but maybe on Youtube?).
Reading a biography written so soon after he died was fascinating because the author himself so clearly feels the loss. Someone writing a biography about Rogers today wouldn't have the same personal perspective and I think that gave this book a definite advantage.
Rogers lived during an eventful and interesting time, as well, although the author doesn't go deeply into World War I or even the Great Depression. There are mentions of many cultural events of the time period, such as Lindbergh's flights (and the terrible fate of the Lindberghs' baby) and even the birth of the Dionne quintuplets, which my grandmother used to tell me about.
It really struck me how things were not really any different than today. The arguments between politicians; plenty of feelings on how America was going down the tubes; it's slightly comforting to know that it's really always been this way.
This book also reprints many quotes and passages written by Rogers so you get a good feel for his sense of humor and the "common-man" quality of his character. I think Larry the Cable Guy is running with much the same idea, although his humor is much more crass. I'll take Will Rogers any day, thank you.
He really was a versatile, intelligent, generous man. I want to look up some of his movies (they are not on Netflix, but maybe on Youtube?).
Reading a biography written so soon after he died was fascinating because the author himself so clearly feels the loss. Someone writing a biography about Rogers today wouldn't have the same personal perspective and I think that gave this book a definite advantage.
Rogers lived during an eventful and interesting time, as well, although the author doesn't go deeply into World War I or even the Great Depression. There are mentions of many cultural events of the time period, such as Lindbergh's flights (and the terrible fate of the Lindberghs' baby) and even the birth of the Dionne quintuplets, which my grandmother used to tell me about.
It really struck me how things were not really any different than today. The arguments between politicians; plenty of feelings on how America was going down the tubes; it's slightly comforting to know that it's really always been this way.
This book also reprints many quotes and passages written by Rogers so you get a good feel for his sense of humor and the "common-man" quality of his character. I think Larry the Cable Guy is running with much the same idea, although his humor is much more crass. I'll take Will Rogers any day, thank you.
March 12, 2015
This was one of my mom's books when she was a teenager. I found it in some of her boxes she had put away when she married my dad. I'm glad to have found it. This book is what I needed at a time I needed it when I was a teenager. It's got a great collection of samples of his writings, but is also somewhat of a biography of Mr. Rogers. Plus, there are some black and white photos including Shirley Temple. I just found the book very interesting.
November 29, 2012
Will Rogers died in an airplane accident in 1935. Somehow this book was published in the same year, with a full account of the circumstances of his death. Of course, that's why it could use some editing/reorganizing. Nevertheless, a very interesting account of an icon.
December 28, 2012
Fascinating biography of one America's greatest humorist and generous philanthropist. A quick read with many if his famous quotes poking fun at government, politics, and the world in general.
September 5, 2018
Old book written right after Will's death in 1935 in AK. Well written and shows much of what he said/wrote is real. Awesome man.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews