Kick the Can

One-Eyed Mack #1

by Jim Lehrer

Now available in paperback for the first time is Jim Lehrer's beloved coming-of-age novel, eagerly praised by reviewers from coast to coast. After introducing The One-Eyed Mack in Kick the Can, Lehrer follows his hero's later career as Oklahoma's lieutenant governor through a series of comic novels -- Crown Oklahoma and Sooner Spy, both available in paperback from Council Oak Books -- that have him solving mysteries in his spare time.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Humor

420 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 1988

About the author

James Charles Lehrer was an American journalist and the news anchor for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS, known for his role as a frequent debate moderator during elections. Lehrer was an author of non-fiction and fiction, drawing from his experiences and interests in history and politics.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Lehrer writes like Mark Twain and tells jokes like Will Rogers. He is flat-out funny and captures the whole heart of the American midwest in this coming of age story about religion, larceny, faith, and friendship. "One-Eyed Mack" will go down in literary history with Tom Sawyer.

[Noah P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 181-page edition of this book. Around page 116, it went from an so-so Huckleberry Finn-like book to being really something special. Then I finished the book in one sitting on a day of particularly bad COVID blues.

This is not the first Lehrer book I've read. It's not even the first in this series. (I read Crown Okhlahoma first.) There is something ineffable about Lehrer's writing. Maybe I would feel differently if I had discovered his writing in a different year, not 2020, during COVID-19, when our country is a shambles, and you see our leaders doing things we were taught not to do in Sunday school. Lehrer's characters are honest and fallible and funny. There was something deeply comforting in this simple story, like going to your grandma's house for Sunday dinner. (Like a tuna fish sandwich with a grape pop. Or even meatloaf on a Saturday night!) And I am glad there are another five books left for me in the series.

Rest in power, Jim Lehrer.

Some passages that stuck to my bones:

Page 137:
"None of us knew there was a Korean War going on. Why people on buses like the Map Man, Lillian the Come Lady and others like Governor Allen Shivers and Mr. Starch didn't mention it, I'll never know. America being in a war and all us Americans not knowing about it was really not too terrific. But it wasnt all our fault. Shouldn't the President of the United States send people around to bus stations or do whatever it takes to make sure good Amerocans like Pepper, Jackie and me knew there was a war going on in a place called Korea? What was the hurry to have another war so soon after World War Two anyhow? They were going to have to make a whole new bunch of war movies, for one thing."

Page 157:
"I talked to Junior Dillard at the Thunderbird the other day. He said he's got an opening for a ticket agent and thinks you'd be fine for it. You remember him?"
"Did you have to hold a pistol to his head to get him to say that?"
"No, son. He brought it up naturally on his own."
I stood up. "Tell him it's too late now. I needed that job way back in my other life. Not this new one."

Page 178:
"Politics sometimes makes people smarter than they are."

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. It’s one I would love to share!

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely my least favorite Jim Lehrer book. I found it mostly a chore to read and there was only one scene which I thought was amusing— his “saving “ at the Christian revival/ Holy Roads Church. The only other interesting aspect of the book was when his friend, Pepper, is “drafted “ into the Marines near the end of the book. Other than those two parts, the story teller rambles on and on in long-winded way that I really failed to appreciate. My husband, who had read the book before I had, said he enjoyed the book, he enjoyed the story and the writing style. My husband and I often enjoy the same books. Not so this time.

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it about 60 pages in. The story was borderline ridiculous and/or stupid. I could not imagine wasting one more minute on it.

I've read other books by Jim Lehrer and loved one but the other 2 were also borderline. I just may be through with this author.

[Citykin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure Americana road-trip fun. Light and enjoyable.

[Linda Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful novel for relaxing reading. The characters are unforgettable. Jim Lehrer is great at spinning a yarn as well as reporting the news. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at points throughout the book.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing, touching, and slyly insightful.

[Dalene McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of an odd little book with odd characters, but I enjoyed it.

There are lots of Kansas and Oklahoma connections in it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this heartwarming story of the midwest/west! Looking forward to reading more by Lehrer.

[Kenneth Knezick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, insightful read. Simple but satisfying story.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book as a joke. Despite the fact that the middle dragged a bit and not much really happens the ending was oddly uplifting and enjoyable.

[Kimb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Forrest Gump sort of story.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably only a four star for me because I just ❤

[Penney Kolb · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit weak. I'm glad I didn't read this one first or the One-Eyed Mack wouldn't have made it.