End of the Line: Railroad Tramps of the Los Angeles Freight Yards


Book Description

One day in 1974 John Free took his white dog Casper and his black Nikon camera to the Los Angeles Freight yards on an invite from a stranger to meet under a bridge to see "how a real tramp lives."Under that bridge he found the "Home Guard of the Taylor Yard", at the End Of The Line, as far west as one could travel on trains and the best place for an old railroad tramp like Shorty, old man Peewee or Bobbi K, to live out their days. It's a part of Los Angeles that is now gone."They thought I was interested in the trains but it was their stories, their smiles and my respect for them that kept me coming back."End of the Line: Railroad Tramps of the Los Angeles Freight Yards is a collection of John's black and white, candid, full frame, available light photographs. These rare historical photographs document a place and culture that no longer exists. The book also includes the unique and moving stories told to John by the tramps as well as John's approach to getting to know these unique people and his photographic techniques.The Foreword by his son describes what it was like growing up as a street photographer's son.Also included are an historical perspective by Kevin Keefe, former editor of Trains magazine, a glossary of tramp terminology and technical details on the photography.The book is printed in duotone, using high resolution scans from John's negatives. Printed on heavy 100 lb. coated stock the photographs faithfully capture all the beauty found in John's original silver gelatin prints.




A Tramp Abroad


Book Description




The Man behind the Legend: Memoirs, Autobiographical Novels & Essays of Jack London


Book Description

This collection is trying to uncover who was this incredible charismatic author, what hides behind the adventurous life anecdotes he wrote about, what were his convictions, dreams and what were his darkest hours. Content: "The Road" is London's account of London's experiences as a hobo in the 1890s, during the worst economic depression the United States had experienced up to that time. "The Cruise of the Snark" chronicles London's sailing adventure in 1907 across the south Pacific in his ketch the Snark. Accompanying London on this voyage was his wife Charmian London and a small crew. "John Barleycorn" is an autobiographical account of Jack London dealing with his enjoyment of drinking and struggles with alcoholism. "The People of the Abyss" describes London's experiences about life in the East End of London in 1902. He wrote this first-hand account after living in the East End for several months, sometimes staying in workhouses or sleeping on the streets. "Martin Eden" is a novel about a young proletarian autodidact, former sailor, struggling to become a writer. Eden is a semi-autobiographical character, based on London himself. "The Mutiny of the Elsinore" - After death of the captain, the crew of a ship split between the two senior surviving mates. The novel is based on London's voyage around Cape Horn on the Dirigo. Short Stories: Tales of the Fish Patrol - As a 16 year old man, Jack London became a member of the California Fish Patrol. These are the stories drawn from his experiences in catching fish poachers. The Human Drift is a collection of short sketches, stories and essays, mostly concerning sailing and London's love for sea. Essays: Through The Rapids on the Way to the Klondike From Dawson to the Sea Our Adventures in Tampico… Jack London was an American novelist, journalist, railroad hobo, gold prospector, sailor, poet, socialist, an oyster pirate, war correspondent and a rancher.




Good Company


Book Description

Good Company: A Tramp Life, is a vivid portrait of a lifestyle long part of America's history, yet rapidly disappearing. The author traveled extensively by freight train to gain rich insights into the elusive world of the tramp. Richly illustrated with 85 photographs by the author, the book presents the homeless man as an individual who "drank, migrated, and worked at day labor" rather than the stereotype of a victim of alcoholism. The tramps with whom Harper shared boxcars and hobo jungles were the labor force that harvested the crops in most of the apple orchards in the Pacific Northwest. They were drawn to the harvest from across the United States and migrated primarily on freight trains, as had hobos in the 1930s. Although not without its problems, the tramp way of life is a fierce and independent culture that has been an integral part of our American identity and an important part of our agricultural economy. Since the first edition of this classic book was published by the University of Chicago Press, the tramp has virtually disappeared from the American social landscape. The agricultural labor force is now made up of Hispanic migrants. This significantly revised and updated edition contrasts this disappearing lifestyle with the homelessness of the modern era, which has been produced by different economic and sociological forces, all of which have worked against the continuation of the tramp as a social species. The new edition richly documents the transition in our society from "tramps" to urban homelessness and the many social, political, and policy changes attendant to this transformation. It also includes an additional thirty-five previously unpublished photographs from the original research.




Ford Tramps


Book Description




Tramps


Book Description

Searching for a Thief accused of stealing something precious, Chal acknowledges it's the Thief that he wants and is unwilling to give him up. Being a Tramp on Beasor means Chal spends most of his time transporting items from other universes for his clients. Since Tramps are unaffected by the draining symptoms of flashing, they are perfect for retrieval missions as well. He's watched two of his friends fall in love, and longs to find his own lover. When he accepts a mission to flash to Earth, and retrieve a Thief who has stolen something important, Chal had no way of knowing his target might steal his heart as well. Palmer wants to be left alone. He's been used by the man who was supposed to be his friend, and forced to do things he didn't want to do. When he flashes to Earth, Palmer hopes he can remain hidden and safe. Yet the moment a Tramp walks into the diner Palmer works at, he knows his life has taken a radical turn. For better or worse, the Tramp and the Thief have to find out where the truth lies in the tangle of lies they've been given.







Col. William N. Selig, the Man Who Invented Hollywood


Book Description

All histories of Hollywood are wrong. Why? Two words: Colonel Selig. This early pioneer laid the foundation for the movie industry that we know today. Active from 1896 to 1938, William N. Selig was responsible for an amazing series of firsts, including the first two-reel narrative film and the first two-hour narrative feature made in America; the first American movie serial with cliffhanger endings; the first westerns filmed in the West with real cowboys and Indians; the creation of the jungle-adventure genre; the first horror film in America; the first successful American newsreel (made in partnership with William Randolph Hearst); and the first permanent film studio in Los Angeles. Selig was also among the first to cultivate extensive international exhibition of American films, which created a worldwide audience and contributed to American domination of the medium. In this book, Andrew Erish delves into the virtually untouched Selig archive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library to tell the fascinating story of this unjustly forgotten film pioneer. He traces Selig’s career from his early work as a traveling magician in the Midwest, to his founding of the first movie studio in Los Angeles in 1909, to his landmark series of innovations that still influence the film industry. As Erish recounts the many accomplishments of the man who first recognized that Southern California is the perfect place for moviemaking, he convincingly demonstrates that while others have been credited with inventing Hollywood, Colonel Selig is actually the one who most deserves that honor.




A Desperate Chance Or The Wizard Tramp'S Revelation, A Thrilling Narrative


Book Description

"A Desperate Chance" through Old Sleuth is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that captivates readers with its elaborate plot and mysterious ecosystem. Old Sleuth, a pseudonymous author, became a prominent parent in early American detective fiction throughout the past due nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In "A Desperate Chance," the narrative unfolds with an air of mystery because the protagonist, detective Old Sleuth, reveals himself entangled in a complicated case. The tale is marked by way of surprising twists and turns, retaining readers on the threshold in their seats as they follow the detective's pursuit of justice. The novel delves into the crook underworld, exploring issues of deceit, desperation, and the relentless pursuit of reality. Old Sleuth's storytelling is characterised by using an eager knowledge of human nature and a capability to create suspenseful narratives that stand the test of time. As a classic paintings of early detective fiction, "A Desperate Chance" via Old Sleuth remains an attractive read for folks who admire the roots of the thriller style and the pioneering contributions of authors from that technology.




Amazing Adventures of The Tramp Prince


Book Description

A young man's journey to find a new home for his family after they lose their farm. Set in the eary 1900's, this book contains very controversial opinions about health, animal rights, human rights, government and injustice. Many of these discussions are with a toad. While eloquent and cute, this book is a serious picaresque novel filled with Socratic dialogue. Get a better quality eBook version with flowing text at HoboJack.com