Böcker av John Metcalf

John Metcalf was a remarkable man whose achievements defied his physical disability. Born blind, he went on to become one of the most celebrated road builders of his time. This book, written by Metcalf himself, offers a fascinating glimpse into his life and adventures. From gambling and hunting to fighting in the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, Metcalf's exploits are as remarkable as they are entertaining.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

[Metcalfs] talent is generous, hectoring, huge, and remarkable.Washington PostIn Temerity & Gall, Metcalf looks back on a lifetime spent in letters; surveys, with no punches pulled, the current state of CanLit; and offers a passionate defense of the promise and potential of Canadian writing.In a 1983 editorial letter to the Globe and Mail, celebrated Canadian novelist W.P. Kinsella railed that Mr. Metcalfan immigrantcontinually and in the most galling manner has the temerity to preach to Canadians about their own literature. Forty years later, in spite of Kinsellas effort to discredit him in the name of a misguided nationalism both embarrassing and familiar, John Metcalf still has the temerity and gall to preach, to teach, and to write passionately (and uproariously) about literature in Canada. Part memoir, meditation, and apologia, part criticism and pure Metcalf, the present volume distills a lifetime of reading and writing, thinking and collecting, and continues his necessary work kicking against the ever-present pricks. As is the case with all of his critical work, Temerity & Gall will challenge, delight, anger, and inspire in equal measure, and is essential reading for anyone interested in literature in Canada and its place within the wider tradition of writing in English.Temerity & Gall is printed in a limited paperback edition of 750 copies signed and numbered by the author.

'John Metcalf has written some of the very best stories ever published in Canada. He comes as close to the baffling, painful comedy of human experience as a writer can get.' Alice Munro

Blinded by smallpox at the age of six, John Metcalf (1717-1810), popularly known as 'Blind Jack of Knaresborough', nevertheless became one of the eighteenth century's great road builders. Published in 1795, his engaging memoirs recount an eventful life, including his part in the suppression of the Jacobite rebellion.