Evan Barker’s detailed description of ‘progressive’ political animals reminded me that I had seen the same critters when campaigning for Gene McCarthy in 1968. And they were already familiar in ’68 after reading a 1943 book by Max Shulman.
I remembered the political types pretty well but forgot the rest, including the title. It was Barefoot Boy with Cheek, not his later Rally Round the Flag, Boys.
Ordered Barefoot Boy, started reading it again. Since ’68 I’ve been in and around colleges from several different angles. The book covers all angles, totally and perfectly constant from 1500 to today. Modern partisans who blame Woke or Trump are missing the WHOLE PICTURE.
Shulman also enjoys parodying his fellow writers including Dickens and Steinbeck. The first chapter is sour Grapes. I’m pretty sure his writing style shaped mine. When I’m trying to have fun I sound suspiciously like Shulman.
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Memes: Every chapter starts with a deep and meaningful quote from a famous writer.
Le livre est brun. — RABELAIS
La crayon est sur la table. — VOLTAIRE
Pommes de terre sont bon. — MOLIERE
Ou est mon chapeau? — ANATOLE FRANCE
Shulman was ahead of the curve here, perhaps because Lewis, Chesterton, Tolkien and Einstein weren’t household words yet.
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Curriculum:
Our hero is listening to an admissions official about the necessity of a well-rounded “liberal education”. Wellrounders** use the same approach now, and it’s still just as pointless.
Sociology of every ethnicity, psychology of every ethnicity, literature of every ethnicity. Sounds mighty familiar; only the specific ethnicities have changed.
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Professors and textbooks:
Extremely constant. I’m in the biz so I know! Transcribing the last paragraph: Don’t try to sell them, either. I’m writing a new set right now. You don’t think I live on my salary, do you? Why, the third-string fullback made more than I did last year.
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Speaking of football:
1943: Our hero joins a frat. As part of recruiting they show him their most illustrious member, a musclebound football player. While on display the gorilla reminds the keeper that his monthly paycheck was late.
1968: I took a debate class. The assigned topic was whether college football should be professionalized to clean up under-the-table payments.
2026: Our “senator” Cantwell has proposed a “law” to professionalize college football to clean up under-the-table payments.
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** I note Shulman says well-rounded-OUT here. He was a precise craftsman. When a wrench or bolt is rounded OUT, it has lost its straight surfaces and thus its purpose in life. The wrench won’t turn bolts, and the bolt can’t be turned.
