Harry Middleton
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Harry Middleton
I purchased my first Harry Middleton book for my father. A Fathers day gift, the year was 1989. The book stores were smaller then and their suggestions seemed to be sincere.Displayed a short distance from the cash register were several nicely arranged copies of “The Earth is Enough”. The covers were colorful, a bit primitive but inviting. I approached the table. A small card in the center of the table pointed out the fact that this book was the first offering by author Harry Middleton, a writer residing in Birmingham, Alabama. The words on the cover satisfied my intentions, “Growing Up in a World of Trout and Old Men.” My dad liked to fish, lived in Birmingham and seemed old. I was young.
Selfishly I snagged two copies, one for dad one for myself, humming Harry Chapins “Cat's in the Cradle” all of the way through the check-out line.
That evening wrapping the book I would present to my father, curiosity and the word trout got the better of me. Who is this writer Harry Middleton? I finished the book late that night. An avid collector of fishing literature, I returned to the bookstore and purchased five additional copies the following morning. The hook was set.
Five books written by Harry Middleton were published between 1989 and 1993. The original five books “first editions by the correct publishers” written by Harry Middleton are scarce. On top of that a lot of the dates and publishers you will find hunting for one of these early editions on the internet are incorrect. I will list the correct dates of publication and publishers below. The covers shown in the photograph on this page are the original covers and not the subsequent printings.
The Earth is Enough: 1989 , Simon and Schuster
One the Spine of Time: 1991, Simon and Schuster
The Starlight Creek Angling Society: 1992, Meadow Run Press
Rivers of Memory: 1993, Pruett Publishing Company
The Bright Country: 1993, Simon and Schuster
One friday night in 1992 I telephoned Harry at home in Birmingham. We chatted for a while, small talk mostly, you know. He was just finishing some of the family chores but took the time to tell me about his upcoming book “The Starlight Creek angling Society” being published by Meadow Run Press.
Every collector of fine angling literature knows Meadow Run Press. I ordered two copies the next day, one would be added to my library and one would be a wedding present... for a friend!
“The Starlight Creek Angling Society” is arguably the holy grail of contemporary angling literature. Limited to 500 signed copies this piece of angling literature is very special and rare.
Harry Middleton passed away in the summer of 1993 an unexpected and tragic loss to the literary world. In 1995 Pruett Publishing began to reprint three of these previously published works in paperback. A percentage of the proceeds relegated to benefit the Middleton family. These reprints are being published today and I urge you to obtain copies of them. Enjoy the paperbacks while you search for the authentic treasures.
My father has passed now, but his copy of Harry’s book “The Earth is Enough” remains in Birmingham under my mothers watchful eye.
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