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The History of Rome Hanks by Joseph Stanely Pennell ➤ Chas Scribner's Sons 1944 Book Club Edition
The History of Rome Hanks and Kindred Matters by Joseph Stanely Pennell Charles Scribner's Sons 1944 Book Club Edition
Title: The History of Rome Hanks and Kindred Matters
Author: Joseph Stanely Pennell
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons 1944
Size: 5.75 X 8.25 * 363 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: This big strange book is the record of young Lee Harrington's ancestors-chief among them his heroic great-grandfather Rome Hanks-as recreated by Lee from what he saw and was told. The characters are men and women of both North and South who lived and fought through the Civil War and then struggled for a livelihood in the impoverished South or the little towns of the West. Lee began to brood about the lives of these people when nettled by the beautiful Christa Schell's bored response to his reminiscences-"I am sure your grandfather must have been a fine old Southern gentleman!" All the memories of the Civil War and of the years afterward up to Lee's birth, gathered largely from a loyal friend and admirer of Rome Hanks, Thomas Wagnal, formerly surgeon in the 117th Iowa, and from others who fought, are sifted through Lee's mind and given a new quality by it, and are set down as they come, without chronology. They are chiefly about the heroic Romulus Hanks, Captain in the 117th, cheated of advancement by the politician, Clint Belton, who, though he grovelled under the bluff at Pittsburg Landing while the Battle of Shiloh raged became Colonel and ended a Brigadier.
Another main source of Lee's information was the old North Carolinian, his greatuncle Pinckney Harrington, "Uncle Pink," who began his account of that blazing walk across the field of Gettysburg with the words, "We ate roast pig the morning before Pickett's Charge." And another was his grandfather, Tom Beckham, of the Zouaves, who fought in the Seven Days and was photographed by Brady as he lay among the wounded outside a field hospital. But no less impressive than the Civil War years are the pictures and episodes of midwestern America, especially Kansas, up to 1900 or so.
In thinking upon the past, and of those from whom he is descended, Lee Harrington realizes how strange is the individual, the result of such a concatenation of antecedent traits. The whole story is bound together as if with a golden thread, by recollection of the lovely, goddess-like Christa who has become for Lee a kind of Beatrice Portinari. The many episodes the book contains blend to make up the background of Lee Harrington's life, and the character of his mind is revealed in his narration of them. As the layers of time are stripped off in his brooding, the reader sees that this is one of the curious books that appear perhaps once in twenty years-a true work of genius. All the episodes recounted- such as the charge at Gettysburg-are suffused with that indefinable sadness-because they happened long ago and are forever gone -that pervades the Iliad.
About the Author: Lt. Joseph Stanley Pennell, peacetime newspaperman and wartime anti-aircraftman, has a fair share of the pioneer background which might be expected of the author of "The History of Rome Hanks." He was born and brought up in Junction City, Kansas, a town which in earlier days played host to "Wild Bill" Hickok, General Armistead, Jeb Stuart, General Custer, and other military figures who were stationed from time to time at near-by Fort Riley. His mother "might be said to be the daughter of pioneers, as she did a lot of traveling in covered wagons and saw a lot of Indians"; his father came across the plains from North Carolina at the age of sixteen. Further investigation of his antecedents reveals an array of grandfathers, greatrandfathers, and greatuncles who fought-some for the Union and some for the Confederacy-in the Civil War. After attending the University of Kansas, Lt. Pennell studied for three years at Pembroke College, Oxford. Returning to this country, he worked for a succession of newspapers, taught school, and spent some time in radio jobs. Upon completion of this his first novel, written appropriately enough in Junction City, he enlisted in the U. S. Army.
Overall Condition: Good: The book has been read but is in good condition. It has no issues to the cover, including scuff marks, holes or tears. The dust jacket is in two pieces and has some wear and is included. The binding has minimal wear. The pages are undamaged but for one crease and single dog ear with no tearing, no pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. There are no missing pages; see images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Two Pounds Media Mail) is $5.22 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
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Title: The History of Rome Hanks and Kindred Matters
Author: Joseph Stanely Pennell
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons 1944
Size: 5.75 X 8.25 * 363 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: This big strange book is the record of young Lee Harrington's ancestors-chief among them his heroic great-grandfather Rome Hanks-as recreated by Lee from what he saw and was told. The characters are men and women of both North and South who lived and fought through the Civil War and then struggled for a livelihood in the impoverished South or the little towns of the West. Lee began to brood about the lives of these people when nettled by the beautiful Christa Schell's bored response to his reminiscences-"I am sure your grandfather must have been a fine old Southern gentleman!" All the memories of the Civil War and of the years afterward up to Lee's birth, gathered largely from a loyal friend and admirer of Rome Hanks, Thomas Wagnal, formerly surgeon in the 117th Iowa, and from others who fought, are sifted through Lee's mind and given a new quality by it, and are set down as they come, without chronology. They are chiefly about the heroic Romulus Hanks, Captain in the 117th, cheated of advancement by the politician, Clint Belton, who, though he grovelled under the bluff at Pittsburg Landing while the Battle of Shiloh raged became Colonel and ended a Brigadier.
Another main source of Lee's information was the old North Carolinian, his greatuncle Pinckney Harrington, "Uncle Pink," who began his account of that blazing walk across the field of Gettysburg with the words, "We ate roast pig the morning before Pickett's Charge." And another was his grandfather, Tom Beckham, of the Zouaves, who fought in the Seven Days and was photographed by Brady as he lay among the wounded outside a field hospital. But no less impressive than the Civil War years are the pictures and episodes of midwestern America, especially Kansas, up to 1900 or so.
In thinking upon the past, and of those from whom he is descended, Lee Harrington realizes how strange is the individual, the result of such a concatenation of antecedent traits. The whole story is bound together as if with a golden thread, by recollection of the lovely, goddess-like Christa who has become for Lee a kind of Beatrice Portinari. The many episodes the book contains blend to make up the background of Lee Harrington's life, and the character of his mind is revealed in his narration of them. As the layers of time are stripped off in his brooding, the reader sees that this is one of the curious books that appear perhaps once in twenty years-a true work of genius. All the episodes recounted- such as the charge at Gettysburg-are suffused with that indefinable sadness-because they happened long ago and are forever gone -that pervades the Iliad.
About the Author: Lt. Joseph Stanley Pennell, peacetime newspaperman and wartime anti-aircraftman, has a fair share of the pioneer background which might be expected of the author of "The History of Rome Hanks." He was born and brought up in Junction City, Kansas, a town which in earlier days played host to "Wild Bill" Hickok, General Armistead, Jeb Stuart, General Custer, and other military figures who were stationed from time to time at near-by Fort Riley. His mother "might be said to be the daughter of pioneers, as she did a lot of traveling in covered wagons and saw a lot of Indians"; his father came across the plains from North Carolina at the age of sixteen. Further investigation of his antecedents reveals an array of grandfathers, greatrandfathers, and greatuncles who fought-some for the Union and some for the Confederacy-in the Civil War. After attending the University of Kansas, Lt. Pennell studied for three years at Pembroke College, Oxford. Returning to this country, he worked for a succession of newspapers, taught school, and spent some time in radio jobs. Upon completion of this his first novel, written appropriately enough in Junction City, he enlisted in the U. S. Army.
Overall Condition: Good: The book has been read but is in good condition. It has no issues to the cover, including scuff marks, holes or tears. The dust jacket is in two pieces and has some wear and is included. The binding has minimal wear. The pages are undamaged but for one crease and single dog ear with no tearing, no pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. There are no missing pages; see images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Two Pounds Media Mail) is $5.22 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
=========================================================================================
