Sorry for your loss of your brilliant long time friend. But what a lovely memory of your times together and the jump start she gave to your avocation/career. A loving personal Eulogy to a very deserved friend.
It's a glorious piece, sadly born from Betty Pashker's death. There are two sentences which are especially smile-worthy: "Just sign the contract. I’ll get you the first part of the advance right now, and you can walk out of here with a check." For a freelance writer, then, to get a check put in your hands on the spot? We're talking serious heaven.
Seriously doubt? These days you'd have a better chance at the roulette wheel at Rick's Cafe Americain than finding an editor at a trade book publisher who could have you sign a contract, then walk it over to someone who could okay it on the spot, and then take it to an actual human at the house who processes payments and who would cut a check right then. Okay, okay, if you do go to Rick's, try number 22.
Ms Prashker was what the founder and dean of my professional school, the late Dr Alden Haffner would call a "change agent". Somebody who often meets people and changes their lives in the process. They walk among us and you don't know who they are. They are often not well known, but they've touched the lives of many people in ways that they can never repay. Dr Haffner had always urged us to become change agents to better the world we live in.
I love this Lucian. What a great tribute to an amazing woman. She definitely had an eye for talent, and the world is a better place thanks to her dedication.
That, Lucian was absolutely beautiful, what a pleasure it was to find that in my inbox. When luck comes by our way we have to seize it, you are a lucky guy. Betty must have been wonderful to spend time with, what a class act. We don’t get many like that in our lifetimes. I’m trying to think if any one person had an influence on me like that, I’ll have to get back to you with the answer. When I think about how many people that good woman was able to help, after someone else helped her get into the position she was in, and how that happened because someone else decided to be of help, it makes for some really nice musings before sleep. I never knew the lady but I’m thankful for her because I’m a recipient of her generosity, I get to read what you write. RIP Betty 🙏
I've only heard of Bebe Rebozo through reading Hunter Thompson stories about Nixon. The one thing that impressed me was first, that a guy like Nixon actually had what HST described as a real friendship, and second that they were so different. Rebozo really humanized Nixon, which not many accounts about him could do.
I loved this. Really loved it. I wished I’d lived it. But I’m glad you did. I adore Dunne, and Vidal, and New York in the 70s, and all of your columns that reminisce therein. Betty Pashker. I’ll remember her. I’m going to pick up a copy of “Dress Gray” tonight. Thanks for sharing. But also, fix “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles.”
Beautiful eulogy. So many brilliant women in publishing then, recognized powers that I remember from when I worked at Dell. Your own story remarkable, I thought the novel brilliant. I imagine she would have been very pleased with this.
Sorry for your loss of your brilliant long time friend. But what a lovely memory of your times together and the jump start she gave to your avocation/career. A loving personal Eulogy to a very deserved friend.
It's a glorious piece, sadly born from Betty Pashker's death. There are two sentences which are especially smile-worthy: "Just sign the contract. I’ll get you the first part of the advance right now, and you can walk out of here with a check." For a freelance writer, then, to get a check put in your hands on the spot? We're talking serious heaven.
I seriously doubt that scene could happen today.
Wonderful eulogy, Mr. Truscott.
Seriously doubt? These days you'd have a better chance at the roulette wheel at Rick's Cafe Americain than finding an editor at a trade book publisher who could have you sign a contract, then walk it over to someone who could okay it on the spot, and then take it to an actual human at the house who processes payments and who would cut a check right then. Okay, okay, if you do go to Rick's, try number 22.
Ms Prashker was what the founder and dean of my professional school, the late Dr Alden Haffner would call a "change agent". Somebody who often meets people and changes their lives in the process. They walk among us and you don't know who they are. They are often not well known, but they've touched the lives of many people in ways that they can never repay. Dr Haffner had always urged us to become change agents to better the world we live in.
I love this Lucian. What a great tribute to an amazing woman. She definitely had an eye for talent, and the world is a better place thanks to her dedication.
That, Lucian was absolutely beautiful, what a pleasure it was to find that in my inbox. When luck comes by our way we have to seize it, you are a lucky guy. Betty must have been wonderful to spend time with, what a class act. We don’t get many like that in our lifetimes. I’m trying to think if any one person had an influence on me like that, I’ll have to get back to you with the answer. When I think about how many people that good woman was able to help, after someone else helped her get into the position she was in, and how that happened because someone else decided to be of help, it makes for some really nice musings before sleep. I never knew the lady but I’m thankful for her because I’m a recipient of her generosity, I get to read what you write. RIP Betty 🙏
If we're lucky, or blessed, we all have someone in our life like that to point to and remember. I know I do. I feel lucky AND blessed.
Dress Gray was the first novel of yours that I read. I thought it was fantastic when I read it at age 19. 43 years later it is still a favorite.
Bebe Rebozo, that was a name for the ages. Been years since I heard or read it until now!
I've only heard of Bebe Rebozo through reading Hunter Thompson stories about Nixon. The one thing that impressed me was first, that a guy like Nixon actually had what HST described as a real friendship, and second that they were so different. Rebozo really humanized Nixon, which not many accounts about him could do.
He also pimped for him in the 50s.
But it's a name that's hard to forget. I read it here and immediately my mind's eye called up a photo of the guy probably from LIFE magazine.
This is such a wonderful story. She was a treasure.
A meeting that was meant to be. Glad it happened for you.
I loved this. Really loved it. I wished I’d lived it. But I’m glad you did. I adore Dunne, and Vidal, and New York in the 70s, and all of your columns that reminisce therein. Betty Pashker. I’ll remember her. I’m going to pick up a copy of “Dress Gray” tonight. Thanks for sharing. But also, fix “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles.”
"Dress Gray" is a fabulous read. After that. read "Full Dress Gray"
Great story.
About four years ago, going through my fiancée's bookshelves, I found "Dress Gray."
I thought, "I wonder if this about West Point?" It was and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (And, yes, it read just as if it were real.)
Jump forward to about three weeks ago, and Lucian K. Truscott IV popped up in my Notes list.
And here we are.
Just a wonderful story. What a life you have led, Lucian!
Beautiful eulogy. So many brilliant women in publishing then, recognized powers that I remember from when I worked at Dell. Your own story remarkable, I thought the novel brilliant. I imagine she would have been very pleased with this.
A terrific novel. I have enjoyed the others as well. Waiting for a life-changing moment of my own.