George Plimpton's Final Book

The New York Times > Books > Sunday Book Review > 'The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair': The Raconteur:

The NY Times review of George Plimpton's last book has some wonderfully evocative phrases ("his willingness to play second fiddle in even the most atrocious of orchestras") describing a playful writer I wish I'd appreciated more during his lifetime.

"Plimpton never seems to have been especially interested in rank. He was more interested in the capacity of individuals -- cranks and legends alike -- to dream and enact their visions, no matter how preposterous or whimsical. That makes him a democrat of the first order."

There were a few instances for me in 2004 where reading someone's obituary made me realise what a treasure and opportunity I'd missed. Plimpton was definitely one.