Robert Ruark Books

After Robert Chester Ruark Jr (1915 - 1965) began to gain success as a writer, he decided that it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream to go on safari to Africa. Ker and Downey Safaris booked him with Harry Selby and Ruark began his love affair with Africa. He also hunted at times with another professional hunter, Frank Bowman.

Grenadine Etching: Her Life And Loves by Robert Ruark (1947) was his first novel which is a satirical spoof on the popular historical fiction genre of the 1940s. "Grenadine Etching, the lustiest, bustiest wench ever to come out of the Deep South".

I Didn't Know It was Loaded by Robert Ruark (1948) is a fascinating collection of articles, stories, thoughts and diatribes about many facets of American life at the time.

One For The Road by Robert Ruark (1949) recounts trends in American society during the 40s, from the decline of the burlesque show to the rise of commercialisation in sport. At the same time he gives fascinating details of his own uproarious life.

Grenadine's Spawn: A Novel Of Our Times by Robert Ruark (1952) is the sequel novel to 'Grenadine Etching: Her Life And Loves'. It is the author's gripes about the then American social scene as seen through Grenadine's four sons and other vaguely remembered offspring who take over her empire. There are widespread hits on US newspapers, advertising, publishing, economics and other areas, and ends with one of the sons blowing up the world.

Horn Of The Hunter: The Story Of An African Safari by Robert Ruark (1953). In this book Ruark shares with you the ferocity of the wounded buffalo - no book will give you the "feel" of Africa like this one.

Something Of Value by Robert Ruark (1955). It was Ruark's personal knowledge and experiences on safari in Africa led to this novel. It is the story of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, as seen through the eyes of a handful of protagonists. Virtually alone in a sea of racist British colonialism, gentleman farmer Peter McKenzie strives to understand the demands of freedom and equality made by Kenya's black population in particular and his childhood friend Kimani in particular. Ultimately, however, McKenzie and Kimani find themselves on opposite sides of the fence when the latter aligns himself with the Mau Mau.

The Old Man And The Boy by Robert Ruark (1957) is a tale of that special relationship between a grandfather and grandson as they fish and hunt the lakes and woods of North Carolina. All the while the Old Man acts as teacher and guide, passing on his wisdom and life experiences to the boy, who listens in rapt fascination.

The Old Man's Boy Grows Older by Robert Ruark (1961). More boyhood lessons learned including an abiding love for the outdoors. The Boy (Ruark) has grown up, has new adventures - as a seaman on a North Atlantic freighter, African safaris and treks to the world's far corners. Free eBook

Poor No More by Robert Ruark (1959) is a rags-to-riches saga about a poor Carolina boy who makes good through will power and ruthlessness.

Uhuru: A Novel Of Africa Today by Robert Ruark (1962) is known as the sequel to 'Something Of Value', but the blurb states..."This book is in no way a sequel to 'Something of Value'. It is an entirely separate but equally unforgettable picture of Kenya at the crossroads. It opens with the execution of Peter Poole, the first white man ever hanged in Kenya for killing a black. It ends as white political rule comes to an end in Kenya".

Honey Badger by Robert Ruark (1965) was his last book, published posthumously. It is the story of an author from when he's in college until he dies.

Use Enough Gun: On Big Game Hunting by Robert Ruark (1966) was published posthumously and is a collection of segments from his earlier works.

Women by Robert Ruark (1967) is his irreverent, enlightening and outrageous view of women in general and women in particular in his life.

Books About Robert Ruark:

Michael McIntosh

Robert Ruark's Africa edited by Michael McIntosh (1991) is a collection of previously unpublished works by Ruark, spanning the years from Ruark's first safari to a story published just two months before he died. Illustrated with original etchings of Bruce Langton.

Jim Casada

Robert Ruark: Lost Classics edited by Jim Casada (1996) is a collection of magazine stories that Ruark wrote in the 1950s and 1960s but were never published in book form.

Terry Wieland

A View From A Tall Hill: Robert Ruark In Africa by Terry Wieland (2000) is not a biography of Ruark but a book about Ruark. This book has been re-published in 2020 - the only difference being the addition of a foreword by Thomas McIntyre.

Hugh Foster

Someone Of Value: A Biography Of Robert Ruark by Hugh Foster (1992) features Ruark's flamboyant lifestyle, passion for Africa and tragic death at the young age of 49.

Alan Ritchie

Ruark Remembered: By The Man Who Knew Him Best by Alan Ritchie (2006). The author was Ruark's friend and personal secretary for the last 14 years of his life and understood the troubled, talented writer.

Ruark's Safari DVD

Robert C Ruark's Africa Adventure was filmed as a documentary in 1954 narrated by Robert Ruark. It contains footage of Harry Selby and Andrew Holmberg guiding Ruark to a 110 pound elephant. Black rhino, leopard and a 49" buffalo were taken as well as other species. This film was shot in black and white and the quality is not up to modern day standard. Still, it is a rare chance to see what a safari in British East Africa was like during this era.

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Page Updated: April 2021