Comments on: More than words: why a writer’s own back-story matters

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:25:22 +0000

I may ask you for that one when I’m ready to read it – thanks

By: David Whitley

David Whitley — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:21:47 +0000

Sometimes it matters and sometimes it doesn’t. When it’s a personal piece/ book and the writer is part of the story, then it certainly matters – it’s all part of the recipe. Other times, the ability to be a dispassionate observer matters for more than background.

By: rafkoo

rafkoo — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:26:25 +0000

I have the audiobook.
Shall U be interested…

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:46:31 +0000

Hi Rafkoo, apologies for the confusion. I was thanking everyone who has added their comments on this thread – but it looks like I only wrote this to you…
Thanks for the book recommendation – I’ll look into this when I finish the current book. My Polish is ok although I don’t use it very much now so it is rusty, especially for reading and writing. But with a little practice…

By: rafkoo

rafkoo — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:28:14 +0000

Thank you for the many excellent comments on the topic.

Well. to be honest I’ve placed one comment only

If U r able to read in polish (surname sound polish enough) there is an excellent book dealing with Kapuściński’s biography:

“Kapuściński non-fiction” by Artur Domosławski
Warszawa: Świat Książki, 2010. ISBN 978-83-247-1906-8.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:22:31 +0000

Thank you for the many excellent comments on the topic.
Rafkoo, I can’t claim any authority on the truth behind Kapuscinski’s life and his party involvement and was merely quoting the accounts and accusations that I had read. That said, I prefer to think that you are correct.
As a side note I have just started his earlier book, Travels with Herodotus, which is already compelling reading.

By: rafkoo

rafkoo — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:02:05 +0000

Wow.. I can not agree with your words:
“He was an ardent Stalinist and eager communist party member”

He considered himself a socialist (nothing wrong in it) but he was definitely not a stalinist.

At those times almost everyone had to be a communist party member.
My parents were mambers, too.
it meant nothing.

They kept spreadedng underground leaflets in the afternoons.

The notes Kapuscinski used to sent to secret police were of no any significance & not harmful to anyone.

By: Nicholas Roe

Nicholas Roe — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:47:07 +0000

The work is not the man

By: nanelle

nanelle — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:41:21 +0000

nice one Andy!

By: Traveling Ted

Traveling Ted — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:14:11 +0000

Thank you Andy for bringing this work to my attention. I have never heard of this, but I can’t wait to read it after reading this post. I just have to find it. Unbelievably it appears the enormous Chicago library system does not have it. Will have to order it then.