Stayton Bonner

  Bud Shrake died last month at age 77.  To me, he was a consummate literary journeyman.  During the 1950s, Shrake covered the police beat and then sports page for the Fort Worth Press.  By 1961, he had a daily sports beat for the Dallas Morning News and began writing novels.  He went on to write new journalism pieces for Sports Illustrated and Harper's, screenplays for Steve McQueen and Dennis Hopper, (pictured here,) and the bestselling sports book of all time with Harvey Penick.  

  I had the opportunity to review his 2008 anthology, Land of the Permanent Wave, for the Texas Observer.  If interested, you may read the review here.  My wife and I attended the book reception with a friend.  Shrake was warm and hospitable.  If you pick up the anthology, I recommend the essays.