Oregon Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 8 (1994) Special Award
Ralph Friedman
ラルフ・フリードマン
Rarufu Furīdoman
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1916-06-03 （Chicago, Illinois, United States）
- Died
- 1995-06-03 （Portland, Oregon, United States） age 79
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Judaism (family background)
- Residence History
- Chicago, Illinois (birth and childhood) → Various locations in Oregon (travel and research) → Portland, Oregon (permanent residence from 1950)
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Travel writer, Non-fiction writer, Instructor
- Active Years
- 1950-1995
- Affiliations
- Portland Community College, Portland State University
- Influenced
- Tom McCall (Governor of Oregon)
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Oregon for the Curious
1965 Travel guide / Local historyA guide to Oregon that mixes well-known sites with obscure places and historical anecdotes; published in multiple editions and became a regional staple.
Local historyTravelEnvironmentalism
A Touch of Oregon – Love Song to a State
1976 Essays / Regional literatureA collection of essays expressing affection for Oregon, centered on observations of landscapes, history, and people.
Regional affectionMemoirLandscape depiction
Tales Out of Oregon
1976 Short stories / Regional folkloreA collection of anecdotes and regional histories from Oregon, containing folkloric elements.
FolkloreLegendLocal history
Tracking Down Oregon
1978 Travel / ExplorationA travelogue tracing histories and personalities around Oregon, notable for uncovering obscure stories.
Historical explorationBiographical sketchesRegional culture
This Side of Oregon
1982 Travel guide / EssaysPresents another side of Oregon, focusing on small local stories and landscapes.
Local storiesLandscape depiction
In Search of Western Oregon
1991 Local history / TravelA research-oriented travel book exploring the history and landscapes of western Oregon, delving into local events and figures.
Local historyInvestigative travel
The Other Side of Oregon
1992 Travel guide / EssaysA book presenting alternative perspectives on Oregon, reflecting interest in local character and history.
Alternative perspectiveLocal history
Northwest Passages: A Book of Travel
1968 TravelA travel book about the Pacific Northwest, composed of essays touching on regional history and people.
TravelCommunity
Bibliography
- Oregon for the Curious (First ed. 1965; multiple editions)
- Northwest Passages: A Book of Travel (1968)
- A Touch of Oregon – Love Song to a State (1976)
- Tales Out of Oregon (1976)
- Tracking Down Oregon (1978)
- This Side of Oregon (1982)
- In Search of Western Oregon (1991)
- The Other Side of Oregon (1992)
- Various magazine articles (1960s–)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Regionally rooted travelogue styleMixes historical anecdotes with lyrical/purple proseCritical stance toward commercial development and environmental degradation
- Recurring Motifs
- Oregon landscapes and small townsRediscovery of forgotten histories and figuresConcern for environmental preservation
Legacy
Ralph Friedman influenced regional culture by widely presenting Oregon's geography and history. His travel guides and essays remained popular in the state and are credited with contributing to awareness of environmental protection and regional tourism.
Trivia
- Born June 3, 1916, and died June 3, 1995 — he died on his 79th birthday.
- Traveled as a hobo in youth and first visited Oregon as a hitchhiker in 1933.
- Met his wife Phoebe (broadcaster and political activist) on a picket line in front of the White House in 1948.
- Taught travel classes and courses on writing and folklore at Portland Community College and Portland State University.
- 'Oregon for the Curious' and other highway guides were bestsellers and remain popular in used bookstores in Oregon.