Norman Maclean

Norman Maclean
Norman Maclean was an American author and professor, best known for his novella "A River Runs Through It." Born in 1902, Maclean spent much of his career as an English professor at the University of Chicago before turning to writing later in life. His works often draw on his personal experiences, especially his love of fly-fishing and the Montana wilderness. His other notable work, "Young Men and Fire," explores the tragic 1949 Mann Gulch wildfire and reflects his deep engagement with nature and human endurance.

Author's Books:


PREFACE Two years ago the writer published a book called The Great Discovery. It seemed to him in those days, when the nation chose the ordeal of battle rather than dishonour, that the people, as if waking from sleep, discovered God once more. But, now, after an agony unparalleled in the history of the world, the vision of God has faded, and men are left groping in the darkness of a great bewilderment.... more...

CHAPTER I THE ONLY HOPE 'To a large extent the working people of this country do not care any more for the doctrines of Christianity than the upper classes care for the practice of that religion.'—JOHN BRIGHT in the year 1880. It is wonderful how quickly, when a peril is past, men forget about it and straightway compose themselves to slumbrous dreams again. It was so after the Great War; it... more...

While the thing is still fresh in my mind I will try to put it down on paper—the incredible thing that has happened in our parish. When we had least thought about life's great things, we have come face to face with the greatest. We had been for long years living on the surface of things. The sun basked on the slopes of the hills, purple at eve; we came back from the offices in town, plunged... more...