or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
•
"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
March 28, 2011
Joe Bageant
This was posted yesterday, so he died on Saturday:
After a vibrant life, Joe Bageant died yesterday following a four-month struggle with cancer. He was 64. Joe is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children, Timothy, Patrick and Elizabeth, and thousands of friends and admirers. He is also survived by his work and ideas.According to Joe's wishes, he will be cremated. His family will hold a private memorial service.
Some of my favorite writing by Joe Bageant:
"What the 'Left Behind' Series Really Means"
His photoalbum of his hometown of Winchester, Virginia
Now that it's too late for the money to do him any good, I just bought Rainbow Pie: A Redneck Memoir and Deer Hunting with Jesus.
And here's that great interview with him from last year (thanks, Nell). He says this at the end:
The struggle is for the consciousness of the planet, the consciousness of that smear of biology on a speck of cosmic dust. There's a spiritual side of man, there's a moral side. I'm not a Christian, but it's there, and it's there for us to share as a people, together.
—Jonathan Schwarz
Posted at March 28, 2011 12:50 AMA great loss for us all, and not just because of the writing, which was spectacular.
Posted by: N E at March 28, 2011 06:03 AMMy favorite piece of his is Three Nights in Philly. RIP Joe Bageant.
Posted by: Aaron Datesman at March 28, 2011 06:05 AMJoe had heart.
Posted by: mistah charley, ph.d. at March 28, 2011 07:22 AMWhat a soul. I corresponded with Joe a few times and he replied in the same poetic style as his essays.
Posted by: NCorey at March 28, 2011 08:30 AMFor those who haven't read him, I recommend starting with his essays. Deer Hunting for Jesus came across (to me) as watered down by the publisher.
Posted by: ncorey at March 28, 2011 08:36 AMAh, crap.
Joe Bageant lived only just up the valley from here, but it took Chris Floyd to introduce me to his work.
The photo album tears me to pieces, laughing and crying.
Posted by: Nell at March 28, 2011 04:14 PMWe don't need heroes to follow, or to hear, but his words struck.
Posted by: Rwood at March 28, 2011 10:27 PM
