“They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” remains a common refrain from seasoned adults. It’s often far from the truth, but when it comes to Ernest Hemingway, they really don’t make ‘em like they used to.
As he said, "The first draft of anything is shit." (National Archives and Records Administration)
The legendary writer born just before the turn of the 20th century lived a life that’s almost difficult to comprehend. Whether his deeds in war, his endless list of ailments and accidents, or wild lived experiences, it all beggars belief. Perhaps that’s why “Papa’s” writing stands the test of time many decades after his death.
“Never Think That War, No Matter How Necessary, Nor How Justified, Is Not A Crime”
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.â€
Hemingway signed up for World War I as an ambulance driver and saw a great many harrowing deaths and injuries. Working the Italian front lines, Hemingway’s main job was to collect human remains, which probably informed his feelings on the necessity of war.
During his tour of duty, he took heavy mortar fire that sent shrapnel ripping through both of his legs. Despite his grievous injuries he managed to cart another injured soldier to safety. That act of bravery earned him the Italian Silver Medal of Valor. 30 years later, the U.S awarded him a Bronze Star for lobbing three grenades into an enemy bunker and killing multiple SS officers while acting as a war correspondent during World War II.
“Never Confuse Movement With Action”
The great author took mortar fire, which resulted in shrapnel in both legs. (neatorama)
Rarely mentioned in Hemingway’s war record was how the Inspector General of the Third Army charged the inimitable author with several war crimes related to his service in WWII. According to the charges, he stockpiled weapons and led a group of Resistance fighters on an intelligence-gathering mission following the events of D-Day.
By the charter, journalists are forbidden from leading troops. Ultimately, he was cleared of all charges. As he put it, “(I) “had a certain amount of knowledge about guerilla warfare and irregular tactics as well as a grounding in more formal war, and I was willing and happy to work for or be of use to anybody who would give me anything to do within my capabilities.”
“As A Writer, You Should Not Judge, You Should Understand”
“Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.â€
Part of Hemingway’s genius as an author came from his openness to life. In his determination, nothing was off-limits, taboo, or contrary to social convention. That head-on approach to life also saw him rubbing elbows and other things with some of the greats in the strangest situations. For instance, when consorting with none other than F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of “The Great Gatsby,” Fitzgerald confided in Hemingway that his wife mocked the size of his manhood. Apparently, Zelda Fitzgerald teased her husband that it couldn’t satisfy a lover. Hemingway responded by offering his own opinion on Fitzgerald’s endowment…
“In Order To Write About Life First You Must Live It”
Hemingway actually set a record in 1938 for catching marlins in a single day. (neatorama)
So Hemingway and Fitzgerald went into the bathroom of a popular Parisian restaurant and Fitzgerald showed his writer-at-arms what he was working with. Hemingway promptly told him it was of standard proportions and encouraged his fellow author to check out exhibits at the Louvre for confirmation!
In another story, Hemingway got into a full-on fistfight with Orson Welles over the manner in which Welles was narrating a film for him. Supposedly, Hemingway found Welles to be sarcastic and snide, which led to a haymaker swinging kerfuffle. Luckily neither really landed any blows and shortly began laughing at their childish behavior. They remained close friends after that.
“I Love Sleep. My Life Has The Tendency To Fall Apart When I'm Awake”
“I drink to make other people more interesting.â€
Despite his incredible success as an author, Hemingway was gravely depressed. He named his worst moments "black dog days." Assuredly, some of his angst came from his failing health. Besides legs full of shrapnel, he suffered from skin cancer, anthrax, malaria, dysentery, hepatitis, anemia, high blood pressure, a ruptured kidney, a ruptured spleen, a ruptured liver, pneumonia, a crushed vertebra, and a fractured skull. He also went through three separate car accidents and two airplane crashes on back-to-back flights! He even got to read his own obituary when the newspapers assumed his death after the second plane went down.
“The World Breaks Everyone, And Afterward, Many Are Strong At The Broken Places”
The Oak Park Hemingways- husband Clarence, Carol (below), wife Grace, Ernest, Leicester, Ursula, Sunny and Marcelline. Ernest’s home from the war, hence the honored position. (i1wp)
Hemingway was married four times and dedicated a book to each of them. While he refused to write specifically for movies, he did allow them to turn his works into motion pictures. He intensely disliked the film version of “The Old Man and the Sea,” headlined by Spencer Tracy. In his mind, Tracy looked more like a wealthy old actor than a Cuban fisherman. Ironically enough, Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his work.
He also famously enjoyed imbibing, even purchasing a urinal from his favorite Florida bar. As he said, "I pissed away so much of my money in that urinal that I own it." Sadly, Hemingway could never escape his demons even though he went great lengths to alleviate them. He went through electroshock therapy, a remedy for depression at the time, a staggering 15 times. Tragically, all it did was greatly affect his memory. He confided in a friend that was why he ended up committing suicide. His last words after his favorite meal of a New York strip steak, a baked potato, Caesar salad, and a glass of Bordeaux were “Goodnight my kitten" to his wife.
