Robert Ruark Revisited
North Carolina novelist Robert Ruark, who died in 1965, continues to have a small but devoted following. The Wilmington native and UNC alumnus is perhaps best known for his novel The Old Man and the Boy (1957). He was an active sportsman and traveller, and his devotion to these themes in his work meant that he was often eclipsed by the figure of Ernest Hemingway. Nonetheless there appears to be something of a Ruark renaissance these days. There is an active Robert Ruark Society, a Robert Ruark Foundation in Southport, an exhibit on Ruark is being planned for the Chapel Hill Museum, and yesterday’s Wilmington Star-News ran a nice profile of the author.
The image shown here is of a bookplate from Robert Ruark’s personal library, some volumes of which are now housed at UNC-Chapel Hill.
July 18th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
i am looking for the location of the grave of robert ruark grandfather “Captain Edward “Ned” Hall Adkins” can you be of any help. thank you, rick smith ricscsm1@verizon.net
October 28th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
I am trying to find a copy of the DVD “Africa Adventure” made to support the Robert Ruark Foundation. Any ideas you may have will be greatly appreciated. Grey McGown Fort Worth
January 25th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I am also trying to find a copy of the DVD “Africa Adventure.” Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
February 12th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Is there a source for a book on tape of The Old Man and the Boy?
v vernon
March 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Is there a web site or book that would reveal more about his life? Why did The Old Man hunt with him and not his Dad? when/how did the Old Man die and where is he buried? Did he have kids? etc.
Thanks
April 24th, 2008 at 12:05 am
WHQR a Southeastern Public Radio Station in Wilmington,N.C.produced several programs several years ago and Carolina Bookshelf #7 “The Old Man and the Boy” was one of them. I personally have a copy. At the time you could purchase one. Now, I don’t know. …………………
also there was a folklore publication of the Cape Fear Area Sponsored by Wilmington Parks and Recreation and a presentation of
“The Old Man and the BOY” a dramatic adaptation of the memoir by Robert Ruark.
Marjorie Megivern(Mrs. James McGivern) may have additionmal copies and lives in Wilmington, N.C.
My son was the artist for the publication and one of the staff writers for “Wind ‘n Tide”~~
My Best to YOU.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I’m still looking for a copy of “African Adventure” - can anyone tell me where to find one? Thanks!
May 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Grey, Julie, and David-
I have also been unable to locate a copy of Africa Adventure for purchase online. In fact, according to WorldCat, the only library copy of the film is held at the UCLA Film and Television Archive. You can view their record for this item here.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
Just finished my new copy of Ruark Remembered by his long time secretary/confidant Alan Ritchie. It contains a wealth of biographical info and insights into the writing methods, etc., of this remarkable author. A must read for Ruark aficionados. I, too, would love to find a copy (DVD, if one exists, or VHS) of Africa Adventure. Anyone have any luck with that?
July 7th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
is there a Robert Ruark museum?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:53 am
A few years ago Africa Adventure was sold through a major outdoor store. Unfortunately the maker did not obtain the correct permissions and hence it was essentially bootleg. I happened to be in the right place at the right time and got a copy. Yes, they are hard to get.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:02 am
About the Ritchie book, I felt it was poorly written, repetitive, and duplicated information that Hugh Foster published under “Someone of Value” even though Fosters book was published first, the Ritchie manuscript existed long before. Even many of the chapter titles were the same, and more so the contents, especially the early chapters. It is hard for me to believe that Foster did not have access to this Ritchie manuscript when he wrote his book, although he would have certainly credited it.
August 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Does any one know how I can contact the Robert Ruark Society/Foundation in NC? I can find nothing about them on the web.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
According to a pamphlet in the North Carolina Collection, there is a Robert Ruark Society of Chapel Hill. The contact information given in the pamphlet is:
Robert Ruark Society of Chapel Hill
510 Meadowmont Village Circle
Box 115
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Email: jtcheatham@prodigy.net
August 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Please sign me up for a DVD of Robet Ruark’s Africa Adventure
September 10th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I am contacting the proper people for permission to make copies of African Adventure. The only copy available is b+w. but better than nothing. I understand it is grainy, but veiwable. It was taken from a VHS and put on DVD. I should be receiving it in 2 weeks. After I have the proper permission, or find out how to get a legal copy, I will let you guys and gals know.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Please sign me up for a copy of Africa Adventure as well !!!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Please sign me up for a copy of African Adventure as well! Thanks!
November 30th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Are any of Robert Ruark’s books available on DVD
December 7th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Can you tell me what year Ned Adkins was born? Thanks.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Here is a bit more information on African Adventure. Jessica Sedwick’s post (May 7, 2008) is correct. The UCLA Film & Television Archive does have a copy for on-site use. In some cases, with permission of the copyright holder, UCLA will make a copy. Physical feasibility of duplication is another matter, as is cost. For anyone who wants a copy of this item, the first step is to contact the folks listed below.
UCLA Film and Television Archive
Commercial Services
1015 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038
phone: (323) 466-8559
fax (323) 461-6317
email: footage@ucla.edu