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Richard McKenna

10quotes

Richard McKenna: A Life of Passion and Purpose


Full Name and Common Aliases


Richard McKenna was a renowned American writer, best known by his pen name, Richard McKenna.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on June 25, 1913, in San Francisco, California, McKenna passed away on November 14, 1968, at the age of 55.

Nationality and Profession(s)


McKenna was an American writer, novelist, and essayist. His work primarily focused on naval fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction.

Early Life and Background


Richard McKenna grew up in a working-class family in San Francisco's Barbary Coast district. His early life was marked by poverty, and he dropped out of high school to support his family during the Great Depression. However, his love for reading and writing led him to continue learning through self-education.

Major Accomplishments


McKenna's writing career spanned over two decades, with notable works including:

The Steel Kelly: A science fiction novel published in 1958.
 Tobias and the Angel: A collection of short stories released in 1964.
The Yogi Yarns: A series of humorous essays about baseball.

His writing often explored themes of social justice, human relationships, and the importance of individual freedom. McKenna's unique blend of humor, insight, and storytelling made his works stand out in the literary world.

Notable Works or Actions


McKenna's writing career was marked by several notable events:

The Steel Kelly: This science fiction novel is considered one of McKenna's most significant works, exploring themes of social justice and individual freedom.
* Tobias and the Angel: This collection of short stories showcases McKenna's ability to craft compelling narratives that explore complex human relationships.

Impact and Legacy


Richard McKenna's writing had a lasting impact on the literary world. His exploration of social justice, human relationships, and individual freedom resonated with readers worldwide. McKenna's unique voice and perspective continue to inspire new generations of writers and thinkers.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


McKenna is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful and thought-provoking writing. His ability to craft compelling narratives that explore complex human relationships and social issues has left a lasting impact on the literary world.

Quotes by Richard McKenna

A sailor without his own ship was like a hermit crab without a shell.
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A sailor without his own ship was like a hermit crab without a shell.
RM
You can’t just plain die. You got to do it by the book.
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You can’t just plain die. You got to do it by the book.
RM
Being dead is being weak and walled off.
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Being dead is being weak and walled off.
RM
#weak
My early book learning came to me as naturally as the seasons in … the little town in which I grew up. … Quite early I began to find a special charm in an unpeopled world … of lava rock and sagebrush desert. … I was often more purely happy at such times than I think I have ever been since.
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My early book learning came to me as naturally as the seasons in … the little town in which I grew up. … Quite early I began to find a special charm in an unpeopled world … of lava rock and sagebrush desert. … I was often more purely happy at such times than I think I have ever been since.
RM
#thinking
You can't just plain die. You got to do it by the book.
"
You can't just plain die. You got to do it by the book.
RM
#dies
The way to get killed around machinery was to take things for granted.
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The way to get killed around machinery was to take things for granted.
RM
#machines
Each man of us is living his own personal work of art, and cannot evade artistic responsibility for his product.
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Each man of us is living his own personal work of art, and cannot evade artistic responsibility for his product.
RM
#men
That's how it struck me, first day or two in isolation. I'd looked around for old shipmates, like a guy does, but didn't see any.
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That's how it struck me, first day or two in isolation. I'd looked around for old shipmates, like a guy does, but didn't see any.
RM
#guy
I am afraid that the ordinary citizen will not like to be told that the banks can and do create and destroy money. And they who control the credit of a nation direct the policy of governments, and hold in the hollow of their hands the destiny of the people.
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I am afraid that the ordinary citizen will not like to be told that the banks can and do create and destroy money. And they who control the credit of a nation direct the policy of governments, and hold in the hollow of their hands the destiny of the people.
RM
#afraid
He was thinking it must be tough to be a woman. They were all needs and wants and wishes and the only real trade they had was going to bed.
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He was thinking it must be tough to be a woman. They were all needs and wants and wishes and the only real trade they had was going to bed.
RM
#women