Carolina QuotesRichard McKenna
North Carolina · resident1913–1964
American writer (1913-1964)
- Died in Chapel Hill
- Studied at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
novelist, science fiction writer, screenwriter, sailor, writer
Quotations with a citation
My early book learning came to me as naturally as the seasons in … the little town in which I grew up. … Quite early I began to find a special charm in an unpeopled world … of lava rock and sagebrush desert. … I was often more purely happy at such times than I think I have ever been since.
"Hello, ship," Jake Holman said under his breath. The ship was asleep and did not hear him.
Jake Holman knew he was a strange bird and he was used to going aboard new ships. By the time they realized they were in a struggle Jake Holman would already have made for himself the place he wanted on their ship and they could never dislodge him. Or wish to.
Civilians are only morally bound to salute our flag. We are legally bound. All Americans are morally bound to die for our flag, if called upon. Only we are legally bound. Only we live our lives in a day to day readiness for that sacrifice. We have sworn our oaths and cut our ties. We have given up wealth and home life, except as San Pablo is our home. It marks us. It sets us apart. We are uncomfortable reminders, in time of peace. Those of you who served in the last war know what I mean.
It is said there will be no more war. We must pretend to believe that. But when war comes, it is we who will take the first shock and buy time with our lives. It is we who keep the faith. We are not honored for it. We are called mercenaries on the outposts of empire. … We serve the flag. The trade we follow is the give and take of death. It is for that purpose the American people maintain us. Any one of us who believes he has a job like any other, for which he draws a money wage, is a thief of the food he eats and a trespasser in the bunk in which he lies down to sleep!
He had a light in his gaunt face and his voice and manner were strangely solemn. The were all a bit afraid of him. … "We're mixing our lives together, Maily, and we'll never be able to unmix them again, and we'll never want to." His voice was strong but tender, and he was smiling down at here. "I take you for what you are, and all that you are, and mix you with all of me, and I don't hold back nothing. Nothing! When you're cold, and hungry, and afraid, so am I. When you're happy, so am I. I'm going to stay with you all that I can, take the very best care of you that I can, and love you every minute until I die." He took a deep, slow breath. "Now you say it" "I will always love you and honor you and serve you, Frenchy, and stay as near to you as I can, and do everything for you, and live for you, and I won't have any life except our life together…" Tears welled out of her eyes but she smiled steadily up without blinking. "I will just love you, Frenchy, all of me there is just loving you forever."
In the libraries
Open Library
Casey Agonistes, and other science fiction and fantasy stories
· 1973
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Open Library
Creations
· 1983
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Open Library
Medici ~ Legacy
· 2021
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Open Library
Medici ~ Supremacy
· 2020
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Open Library
The Sand Pebbles
· 1962
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Open Library
The left-handed monkey wrench
· 1984
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Read Richard McKenna
Recorded without a firm citation
Kept here, labelled, rather than mixed in above.
Croskley:Jake For Gods' sake...
Holman:" Get her out of Here...if they catch her you know what they are going to do her.." [To:Sherley Eckart] Dont Worry I'll be along...Holman shoots about 8 soldiers trying to invade the mission. He is only a few feet from catching up with the others when he is struck by a bullet.
Holman: "I was home. What happened. What the hell happened?" {Second bullet kills him.