That Printer of Udell's [Paperback]

Harold Bell Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1996

"That book, That Printer of Udell's, had an impact I shall always remember . . . [it] set me on a course I've tried to follow even unto this day. I shall always be grateful."-Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan identified with the central character, Dick Falkner, who grew up in poverty with an alcoholic father. After Falkner ran away, he was hired by George Udell, a kindly printer. Combining practical Christianity with hard work, he succeeded.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"(A) thoroughly good novel" -- --The Boston Globe

"Decidedly interesting" -- --The New York Times

"This is a book that will appeal to both men and women. It should have a place in church libraries." -- --Church and Synagogue Library Association

About the Author

Harold Bell Wright religious practices led him to write the first of many books, all of which address particular problems. His main goal for writing lay within his desire to write about the goodness of mankind.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (June 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565541219
• ISBN-13: 978-1565541214
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > 20th Century

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to understanding Ronald Reagan, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: That Printer of Udell's (Paperback)

Any political junkie or political scientist who wants to understand Ronald Reagan the man and the politician must start with this book. Young Reagan read it when he was 11 years old and promptly decided that he wanted to become an evangelical Christian, informing his Mother that he wanted to be baptized. Reagan obviously identified with the protagonist of this story who like Reagan was the son of an alcoholic father who through the power of faith became a better man and works to change his community through his church. The book concludes with his marching off to Washington to assume a political career. Sound familiar?

Don't miss this book!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Standard HBW Quality, October 31, 2000

By 

Steven Fantina (Phillipsburg, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That Printer of Udell's (Paperback)

Another salutary story showing how Harold Bell Wright earned the sobriquet of "Storyteller to America." I did not know but am not surprised by the previous reviewer's observation that Ronald Reagan read this work as a boy and was profoundly touched by it. There is something so American about Mr. Wright's works and this upright, exciting tale is no exception. Fleshed out characters populate a fast-paced allegory where true Christianity is venerated while those who are Christian in name only are seen to be lacking.

This release was one of Mr. Wright's first -if not his actual debut novel, and it made a promise that his prolific career kept.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Human nature hasn't changed much since 1902, August 15, 2005

By 

Marvin D. Pipher (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: That Printer of Udell's (Paperback)

In reading a biography of Ronald Reagan, I learned that when eleven year old Reagan finished reading this book he went to his mother and said, "I want to be like that man." Intrigued, I wanted to find out what "that man" was like. So, when I read this story I did so with an eye toward understanding Reagan and the development of his character. I was immediately struck by the similarities between Reagan and the book's hero, Dick Falkner. Both were raised in poverty, both had alcoholic fathers, both were straight shooters, and both seem to have had an abiding faith in their fellow man. I found the book's colorful language quite charming, its character development excellent, and the problems and concerns presented very true to life. As I read along I could almost sense young Reagan's character taking form. I was particularly struck by the fact that the problems of 1902 in Boyd City are in large measure today's problems---human nature seems to have changed very little over the years. My only complaint about the book is that the broad sweep evident in the early part of the story seemed to narrow in the latter pages, resulting in a somewhat quick and surprising ending based on several poorly explained coincidences. All in all, I greatly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone with a love for our 40th President or a desire to better understand him, as well as those who simply like a good story.