Customer Reviews

Zone Policeman 88

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This book was enjoyable reading...but it does not hold a candle to his other works. For his best work read: Vagabonding Down the Andes (Garden City Publishing 1917) and A Vagabond Journey Around the World (The Century Co. 1910) You will probably have to look around for copies of both books...but they're out there.

It was one of his earliest books, the first being "A Vagabond Journey Around the World" (1910?). He wrote a total of almost 30 travel books, the final one in 1940. In WWII he managed to lie about his age and get a commission in the Army Air Corps (true age 61), serving as a historical officer at Amarillo A. F. Base, Lowry A. F. Base, and finally in the Battle of the Bulge with the 9th Air Force. He died in 1962, suffering from Parkinsonism.

Book list on request. psheffld@warwick.com

Harry Franck presents a delightful and highly entertaining look into the past and culture of the Panama Canal Zone. I thoroughly enjoyed this first hand account of the early days of Canal construction. A must read for all present and past Zonians.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO HARRY FRANCK BY MY BROTHER WHO GAVE ME A COPY OF 'A VAGABOND JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD'. 'ZONE POLICEMAN 88' IS ONE OF HIS BEST, BUT I ENJOY ALL OF HIS WORK. IN HIS EARLY BOOKS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM, HE MORE OR LESS WALKS INTO SITUATIONS, THEN WRITES ABOUT THEM. HERE HE DESCRIBES THE BUILDING OF THE PANAMA CANAL. HE WORKS AS A CANAL ZONE POLICEMAN; THEN BECOMES A CENSUS TAKER WANDERING THE STREETS & JUNGLES OF PRE-ZONE PANAMA. HIS COMMENTS & MUSINGS AREN'T ALWAYS POLITICALLY CORRECT, BUT YOU GET THE SENSE AS YOU READ HIM THAT HE TOOK EVERY MAN AS HE CAME; AND HE MET MANY MEN, HAD MANY ADVENTURES.