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Memories of Another Day
Daniel Boone Huggins--"Big Dan"--rises, through violence, ambition, lust, and a drive for justice, from the poverty of West Virginia's hills to the leadership of America's largest union
536 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
187 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Harold Robbins
317 books437 followersBorn as Harold Rubin in New York City, he later claimed to be a Jewish orphan who had been raised in a Catholic boys home. In reality he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants. He was reared by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 9, 2022
Ok... Here's smoother author who has to depict the lowly rankings of black people in the 20th century. Smh I know it was an obvious fact, especially how we're still being murdered by police without justice, but I just think they can leave out 'niggers' from Each of their books.
But ok, they're the professionals (whether racist or not)
That aside, this story was fire. About a whole man who came up on his own with righteous intents. A true King. It doesn't get better than that. Daniel Higgins saw it all & adapted after taking many losses which got him the name Big Dan. & he earned his respect, living and fighting on for his family's legacy. Not perfect like all of us, but he moved forward & made righteous change in an evil world.
Inspiring story, ironically I mirror the main character a lot!
But ok, they're the professionals (whether racist or not)
That aside, this story was fire. About a whole man who came up on his own with righteous intents. A true King. It doesn't get better than that. Daniel Higgins saw it all & adapted after taking many losses which got him the name Big Dan. & he earned his respect, living and fighting on for his family's legacy. Not perfect like all of us, but he moved forward & made righteous change in an evil world.
Inspiring story, ironically I mirror the main character a lot!
May 24, 2020
There are two kinds of Harold Robbins books,those worth throwing away and those very much worth reading for the sheer intensity of the storytelling.
Memories of Another Day,however,falls into neither of these categories.It is not a disgusting one,and it is not a particularly memorable one.
But it is readable and it has a rather serious tone.It is the story of Daniel Boone Huggins,a powerful and cruel labour organizer from the mountains of West Virginia.Along the way,there is also the nasty business of murder to contend with.
Not bad,but at over 500 pages in my edition,a bit too long.Not enough in the story for this much length.
Memories of Another Day,however,falls into neither of these categories.It is not a disgusting one,and it is not a particularly memorable one.
But it is readable and it has a rather serious tone.It is the story of Daniel Boone Huggins,a powerful and cruel labour organizer from the mountains of West Virginia.Along the way,there is also the nasty business of murder to contend with.
Not bad,but at over 500 pages in my edition,a bit too long.Not enough in the story for this much length.
November 30, 2015
GREAT WRITING
I read Mr. Robbins' books years ago and this one was one of my favorites because I lived in a town with three factories and worked for a family that was management. ( it was a small business they ran that I worked for, nothing to do with the factory). Ninety percent of their business was catering to the union guys as it was a bar and bars in a factory town opened up at 8 am and closed at 2 am. We catered to all three shifts.
Mr. Robbins got right into the meat of the problems between labor and management in this story. It was all true from first to last page with some "dressing" around the edges to make the story more interesting to all readers.
Today's union's are under much better regulations than they were during the time this book took place. Thankfully.
If you want an Excellent read, I heard they recommend this or any other books he wrote.
He was a writer of high caliber in the 60's thru the 80's. His books are classics from that time in literary history.
I read Mr. Robbins' books years ago and this one was one of my favorites because I lived in a town with three factories and worked for a family that was management. ( it was a small business they ran that I worked for, nothing to do with the factory). Ninety percent of their business was catering to the union guys as it was a bar and bars in a factory town opened up at 8 am and closed at 2 am. We catered to all three shifts.
Mr. Robbins got right into the meat of the problems between labor and management in this story. It was all true from first to last page with some "dressing" around the edges to make the story more interesting to all readers.
Today's union's are under much better regulations than they were during the time this book took place. Thankfully.
If you want an Excellent read, I heard they recommend this or any other books he wrote.
He was a writer of high caliber in the 60's thru the 80's. His books are classics from that time in literary history.
August 17, 2015
I forgot Harold Robbins !
My Mom was a Constant Reader, as are all her children and grandchildren. Her Mother worked at a Drug Store, and always kept us stocked with every kind of reading material, from the latest Comics to the Best-selling Novels of the moment. I must have been 9 or 10 when I had read all of Mark Twain and John Steinbeck, and began reading Harold Robbins. I continued reading him during my time in the Navy, and all through the 70's. I thoroughly enjoyed " Memories of Another Day, and will now catch up on all I've missed since the Eighties.
My Mom was a Constant Reader, as are all her children and grandchildren. Her Mother worked at a Drug Store, and always kept us stocked with every kind of reading material, from the latest Comics to the Best-selling Novels of the moment. I must have been 9 or 10 when I had read all of Mark Twain and John Steinbeck, and began reading Harold Robbins. I continued reading him during my time in the Navy, and all through the 70's. I thoroughly enjoyed " Memories of Another Day, and will now catch up on all I've missed since the Eighties.
November 25, 2007
Now this book was a surprise. I'm not a Robbins fan, however this story focuses around the life of one man and the rise of the labor unions and all the violence and intrigue that came with it. I think few people remember just why organizations like the ACLU exist today. This particular story steps you back in time and helps you remember.
November 24, 2015
Intense story line. Powerfully designed characters. AWFULLY SUPER READS folks!
A father relating his life's story 2 his son after his death? ????? Returning 2 his fathers' birthplace, and encountering d past/early histories, . ....... and only then d son understood why his late father struggled/existed/lived d way he was.
A father relating his life's story 2 his son after his death? ????? Returning 2 his fathers' birthplace, and encountering d past/early histories, . ....... and only then d son understood why his late father struggled/existed/lived d way he was.
March 31, 2013
Too 'device reliant'. Doesn't develp characters or tell much of a story. Father talks after death of 'near death' to youngest son. Lots of name dropping (Bobbie Kennedy, Jimmie Hoffa) instead of substance
May 19, 2019
¿El líder? ¿Líder de qué, pajas mentales? Venga ya.
July 16, 2011
We all know about latter-day Harold Robbins - in truth, it's really not necessary to read anything he wrote after WHERE LOVE HAS GONE (1962) [or would it be more appropriate to say "anything he typed..."?] - gone was any pretense of storytelling, of concern for plot or character. All he cared about was bringing in the bucks to support his jet-set lifestyle.
As I recall, he almost redeemed himself with MEMORIES OF ANOTHER DAY - it had a stronger story and better characterization than the two that preceded it (THE LONELY LADY and DREAMS DIE FIRST) or anything that followed it, for his 'redemption' didn't last long (in fact, he followed this one with the appalling GOODBYE, JANETTE).
Anyway, being in sort of a reading slump where I want undemanding entertainment, it looks like I'm up for a re-read of this one. We shall see what we shall see.
7/14: Some books stay with you, but the vast majority don’t, other than that we remember that we enjoyed it, or that we didn't, whichever the case was. MEMORIES OF ANOTHER DAY definitely falls into this category – although I definitely read it in 1979, re-reading it almost 32 years later is more like reading it for the first time: The only thing I’ve remembered from the book during all these years is a rather tasteless (even for Harold Robbins) sex scene early in the book, and I remembered that only because at the time it nearly put me off reading the book. But although I did read it, as I say, it’s really all new to me.
7/15: Despite having more plot and characterization than other Robbins novels of this period, and covering a longer period of time, the novel sometimes has a somewhat padded feel to it: “Big Dan” Huggins opens a great many bottles of whiskey, fills (and refills) his glass many, many times, as though Robbins couldn’t think of any other action for him to perform in some scenes (aside from sexual ones, of course). For all that, it's readable and engrossing.
As I recall, he almost redeemed himself with MEMORIES OF ANOTHER DAY - it had a stronger story and better characterization than the two that preceded it (THE LONELY LADY and DREAMS DIE FIRST) or anything that followed it, for his 'redemption' didn't last long (in fact, he followed this one with the appalling GOODBYE, JANETTE).
Anyway, being in sort of a reading slump where I want undemanding entertainment, it looks like I'm up for a re-read of this one. We shall see what we shall see.
7/14: Some books stay with you, but the vast majority don’t, other than that we remember that we enjoyed it, or that we didn't, whichever the case was. MEMORIES OF ANOTHER DAY definitely falls into this category – although I definitely read it in 1979, re-reading it almost 32 years later is more like reading it for the first time: The only thing I’ve remembered from the book during all these years is a rather tasteless (even for Harold Robbins) sex scene early in the book, and I remembered that only because at the time it nearly put me off reading the book. But although I did read it, as I say, it’s really all new to me.
7/15: Despite having more plot and characterization than other Robbins novels of this period, and covering a longer period of time, the novel sometimes has a somewhat padded feel to it: “Big Dan” Huggins opens a great many bottles of whiskey, fills (and refills) his glass many, many times, as though Robbins couldn’t think of any other action for him to perform in some scenes (aside from sexual ones, of course). For all that, it's readable and engrossing.
March 17, 2018
A beautiful portrait
Another well-written story from the great Harold Robbins. Reading this book has only cemented my view that he was one author who applied realism to his stories quite unlike anyone else. It's quite extraordinary. He can write fiction drawn from practically any subject, while still keeping intact the drama he wants his readers to see in his characters. In this story, he brilliantly connects the two principal characters: Daniel "Big Dan" and his son, Jonathan. This is a connection both in words and indeed, and that is a testament to Robbins' excellent writing. Set against the backdrop of the American labor movement, Robbins brings all his characters to life in a way that truly reflects the people and the era in which they lived. It was clearly well-researched, contained excellent dialogues, even the accents were spot on on. In typical Robbins fashion, it contained all the ingredients that exemplify his works: compelling characters, historical fact, violence, action, intrigue, morality, politics, sex and intrigue. Reading the book almost felt like watching a movie based on it (I wonder if this was also adapted on his screen like some of his other works?)
Anyway, fabulous story from one of the great American writers. Easily in my top five favourite books from this author, right up there with The Adventurers, The Betsy, Tycoon and The Pirate.
Another well-written story from the great Harold Robbins. Reading this book has only cemented my view that he was one author who applied realism to his stories quite unlike anyone else. It's quite extraordinary. He can write fiction drawn from practically any subject, while still keeping intact the drama he wants his readers to see in his characters. In this story, he brilliantly connects the two principal characters: Daniel "Big Dan" and his son, Jonathan. This is a connection both in words and indeed, and that is a testament to Robbins' excellent writing. Set against the backdrop of the American labor movement, Robbins brings all his characters to life in a way that truly reflects the people and the era in which they lived. It was clearly well-researched, contained excellent dialogues, even the accents were spot on on. In typical Robbins fashion, it contained all the ingredients that exemplify his works: compelling characters, historical fact, violence, action, intrigue, morality, politics, sex and intrigue. Reading the book almost felt like watching a movie based on it (I wonder if this was also adapted on his screen like some of his other works?)
Anyway, fabulous story from one of the great American writers. Easily in my top five favourite books from this author, right up there with The Adventurers, The Betsy, Tycoon and The Pirate.
March 6, 2013
Great story, but I got a little worn out trying to keep up with all of the characters, especially the wives and girlfriends. I guess it was all necessary, but when you overlay that many characters on top of multiple time periods, it gets hard to follow. There are also a good deal of explicit sex passages, so this one is not for younger readers.
All in all though, M.O.A.D. is great historical fiction. It brought to life many of the things I learned in school about the labor movement of the early 20th century.
All in all though, M.O.A.D. is great historical fiction. It brought to life many of the things I learned in school about the labor movement of the early 20th century.
Read
January 2, 2015Aunque hace nada menos que 32 años que lo leí, de ayer es la fecha, ayudado un poco por la contraportada me acuerdo perfectamente de este libro.
Me pareció una autentica pasada, aunque no puedo lógicamente entrar en detalles después del tiempo transcurrido. Recuerdo que era la vida de un sindicalista que evoluciona de una situación muy baja y escala a todos los niveles sociales.
Puedo recordar que me encantó y ponía encima de la mesa las intrigas y los líos que se cuecen en la sociedad americana y en la sindicalista en particular.
Me pareció una autentica pasada, aunque no puedo lógicamente entrar en detalles después del tiempo transcurrido. Recuerdo que era la vida de un sindicalista que evoluciona de una situación muy baja y escala a todos los niveles sociales.
Puedo recordar que me encantó y ponía encima de la mesa las intrigas y los líos que se cuecen en la sociedad americana y en la sindicalista en particular.
October 30, 2012
I have a love hate relationship with this book. One moment I can't seem to put it down and I turn to another chapter and I just want to get it over with. It was a good book. I like the main protagonist, Daniel, and his passion, attitude and dedication. Plus, I love his way with the women. What I don't like about this book is how slow paced it is at times. Nonetheless, I think I would give Harold Robbins another shot if I came across one of his books in the future.
September 2, 2012
One of the best books ever written by Harold Robbins.
The book is about a son who hates his father. After the fathers death, the son takes on a road journey where he knows his fathers back ground. The story is a classical mix of love, hate, humanity and as usual Harold kind of sex scenes.
The book is about a son who hates his father. After the fathers death, the son takes on a road journey where he knows his fathers back ground. The story is a classical mix of love, hate, humanity and as usual Harold kind of sex scenes.
Read
September 20, 2007Patience
December 28, 2007
libro para quien le guste el humor negro, no se si lo sigan editando pues este es del año del caldo pero vale la pena leerlo.
November 29, 2008
pretty sure i read this way back in the early 80s. most memorable for some of the rather explicit sexual descriptions.
Read
June 8, 2009You just can't go wrong with a Harold Robbinds book!
Even if it was written in 1979 it is still a great book, so far!!!
Even if it was written in 1979 it is still a great book, so far!!!
May 7, 2011
Surprisingly good.
October 29, 2011
A family saga.
February 12, 2014
Black humor and a very serious but wonderful story is what you are going to find out in this book. Loved it. :)
May 4, 2018
one of the better ones from Harold Robbins. gives superficial idea on the US's Trade Unions and the crack down on it in the later half of 20th century
January 10, 2015
loved book one. two and three had me a little bored. wonderful narration on the audiobook version
December 22, 2014
Not really what i expected from Harold Robbins. I love his books: the adventurers, the pirate and where love has gone. This is somewhere below those mentioned books.
April 24, 2015
Masterpiece
A wonderful story telling. Keeps you engaged all through. Apt descriptions, vivid imaginations. Could hardly put down the book. Awesome.
A wonderful story telling. Keeps you engaged all through. Apt descriptions, vivid imaginations. Could hardly put down the book. Awesome.
Want to read
May 31, 2012$2.51
June 19, 2019
If you've been following my reviews for the last few months you'll recall my husband and I have been on a bit of a Harold Robbins kick. We listened to A Stone for Danny Fisher (which we loved) as well as Never Love a Stranger (pretty good) and now Memories of Another Day (least favorite of the 3).
This story features Daniel Boone Huggins who was raised in a poor, sometimes violent, West Virginia household and then rose to become a feared head of a Labor union. As Big Dan fights for justice and power, as well as his own fame and fortune, he sacrifices family and personal relationships for what he sees as the greater good.
The story begins after Big Dan has died and goes back to tell his story of his life and the story of the Labor movement over a period of some 50 years. The story outlines the struggles of low paid workers in the coal mines of WVA, working in unsafe environments prior to the union stepping in and looking out for these workers. This really gives readers a good overview of organized labor, and the violence and corruption which often gave unions a bad name.
I chose this one for a long road trip as I thought my husband might really enjoy it since he spent the majority of his career working for and with labor organizations. While slow in parts and unnecessarily wordy as well, this story had some exciting moments as well as plenty of sexually explicit parts.
Anyone interested in the history of the Labor Movement in the US will probably enjoy this book a bit more than me. My husband liked it more than I did but, neither of us felt it was worth 15 hours of our time.
3.5/5 stars
This story features Daniel Boone Huggins who was raised in a poor, sometimes violent, West Virginia household and then rose to become a feared head of a Labor union. As Big Dan fights for justice and power, as well as his own fame and fortune, he sacrifices family and personal relationships for what he sees as the greater good.
The story begins after Big Dan has died and goes back to tell his story of his life and the story of the Labor movement over a period of some 50 years. The story outlines the struggles of low paid workers in the coal mines of WVA, working in unsafe environments prior to the union stepping in and looking out for these workers. This really gives readers a good overview of organized labor, and the violence and corruption which often gave unions a bad name.
I chose this one for a long road trip as I thought my husband might really enjoy it since he spent the majority of his career working for and with labor organizations. While slow in parts and unnecessarily wordy as well, this story had some exciting moments as well as plenty of sexually explicit parts.
Anyone interested in the history of the Labor Movement in the US will probably enjoy this book a bit more than me. My husband liked it more than I did but, neither of us felt it was worth 15 hours of our time.
3.5/5 stars
January 20, 2021
Inspired by the HBO executives who decided what America needs right now is a reboot of 'Sex and the City', I decided to revisit another cultural fossil from my late 70s schooldays, the Harold Robbins oeuvre.
The story itself (dirt poor boy from West Virginia becomes big union executive) is fine and now I remember why his books were in the school library ie lots and lots of sex. With women of every age and colour. Often in hilariously inappropriate context - "Big Dan" flies into a mountain because he's otherwise occupied with a blowjob. And his characters are constantly 'fixing drinks' - often several times in the same page.
What I hadn't remembered is how weirdly boring sections of his plots could be; much of this book is a detailed description of investment funds and their returns, voting procedures etc. This is repeated in other novels, which contain pages on Nielsen ratings and sales figures.
Fine as a trip down memory lane but it didn't make me want to re-read any of his other works.
The story itself (dirt poor boy from West Virginia becomes big union executive) is fine and now I remember why his books were in the school library ie lots and lots of sex. With women of every age and colour. Often in hilariously inappropriate context - "Big Dan" flies into a mountain because he's otherwise occupied with a blowjob. And his characters are constantly 'fixing drinks' - often several times in the same page.
What I hadn't remembered is how weirdly boring sections of his plots could be; much of this book is a detailed description of investment funds and their returns, voting procedures etc. This is repeated in other novels, which contain pages on Nielsen ratings and sales figures.
Fine as a trip down memory lane but it didn't make me want to re-read any of his other works.
December 30, 2019
Ko nghĩ là có thể kết thúc quyển này trước khi qua năm mới. Tháng 12 đọc sách năng suất quá.
Mình thích câu chuyện trong quá khứ hơn. Cái không khí đó thực sự rất quen thuộc mà mình ko nhớ đã gặp ở đâu. Ở Dan lớn, phảng phất chút khí phách và tính cách của Bố Già. Mình chỉ ko thích cách tác giả nhắc hơi nhiều đến sex. Chắc là phản ánh con người của ổng luôn - vô cùng phóng túng và đầy chất nghệ sĩ.
Quyển này biên tập cực kì tệ, lỗi nhiều vô số kể và mất hẳn 8 trang đầy chữ. Chán hẳn!
Mình thích câu chuyện trong quá khứ hơn. Cái không khí đó thực sự rất quen thuộc mà mình ko nhớ đã gặp ở đâu. Ở Dan lớn, phảng phất chút khí phách và tính cách của Bố Già. Mình chỉ ko thích cách tác giả nhắc hơi nhiều đến sex. Chắc là phản ánh con người của ổng luôn - vô cùng phóng túng và đầy chất nghệ sĩ.
Quyển này biên tập cực kì tệ, lỗi nhiều vô số kể và mất hẳn 8 trang đầy chữ. Chán hẳn!
April 28, 2022
Excellently written
Brutally written novel of hillbillis
moonshiners, coal miners, poverty among salt of the earth, uneducated Americans in the early years of 1900s that morphed into the world of unions, power, crime, and politics. The graphic sex added little to a masterpiece.
Brutally written novel of hillbillis
moonshiners, coal miners, poverty among salt of the earth, uneducated Americans in the early years of 1900s that morphed into the world of unions, power, crime, and politics. The graphic sex added little to a masterpiece.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews