Jack Black (author)

Jack Black was a late 19th century/early 20th century hobo, living out the dying age of the Wild West. He wrote You Can't Win, a memoir or sketched autobiography describing his days on the road and life as an honorable outlaw. Black's book was written as an anti-crime book urging criminals to go straight but is also his statement of belief in the futility of prisons and the criminal justice system, hence the title of the book. Jack Black was writing from experience, having had plenty of experience in petty crime himself for which he did time in jail.

Related Topics:
19th century - 20th century - Hobo - Wild West - You Can't Win - Autobiography - Outlaw - Prisons - Criminal justice - Crime

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack Black is an essentially anonymous figure (even his actual name is uncertain) who is recognised through association with William S. Burroughs. His philosophy on life was influential to Burroughs, who associated with similar characters in his early adulthood and mirrored the style of "You Can't Win" with his first published book, "Junkie".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jack Black died during the Great Depression due to a drowning, widely believed to be a suicide.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Drowning - Suicide

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~