Customer Reviews (1)

The Continuing Saga of Biltmore Oswald
"Out O' Luck" is the second book culled from Thorne Smith's naval days as editor of "The Broadside."This novel as well as its predecessor, "Biltmore Oswald" proved very popular in the late teens and early twenties.While "Out O' Luck" didn't fare as well in sales as "Biltmore," it still carried on the adventures of inept sailor, Biltmore Oswald.

Smith wrote these stories to fill the empty space in "The Broadside," the official journal of the Navy, yet the officers loved them, much to Smith's suprise, increasing the circulation of the journal.After Smith left the Navy, Frederick Stokes & Co. took the material and split it into two books detailing Biltmore's adventures.

While the story is quite antiquated, it still provides some humorous writing from a master wordsmith just beginning to flex his creative muscles.The story also provides some very good descriptions of the day-to-day duties of early 20th century sailors.

If you collect Thorne Smith's books but don't have this one yet, make it a point to add it to your collection.There's no telling when it'll go out of print again! ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Biography ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thorne Smith's First Book
Before there was Popeye, Sad Sack, Beetle Bailey and Crock, there was Biltmore Oswald. Biltmore Oswald is the compilation of a weekly series that Thorne Smith wrote for the Naval Journal Broadside. It's the diary of Biltmore Oswald, a hapless naval recuit, and his day to day adventures during World War I.
Oswald, a naive innocent, finds himself in many a compromising situation: Showering in the hotel room of the wife of a murderous, jealous man; observing French men greeting each other with kisses, and being pursued by beautiful women, much to the displeasure of his sweetie, Polly.

This, as Thorne Smith's first attempt at writing, proved to be quite successful for its time, yielding a sequel, "Out 'o' Luck."
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Product Description
Rex Pebble's swimming pool had become a fountain of youth. Any one who went in came out looking 25 years younger. Mad, naked and nonstop humor. ... Read more

Product Description
Popular Topper character's first encounter with ghostly spirits in this "ribald adventure". Complete and unabridged Pocket Book Edition from the World War II era, with frontpiece statement that this book complied with War effort paper conservation efforts. From the back cover: "For sheer mad hilarity, daring and frankness, America has produced no more amazing writer than Thorne Smith. His books are a constant riot of adventure, with drinks, spooks and sexes misxed generously ... Of all the incredible characters created by Thorne Smith, Topper is perhaps the most meorable and appealing ..." ... Read more