Things I know about kings, celebrities, and crooks

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79085

Title

Things I know about kings, celebrities, and crooks

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

William Le Queux recounts his daring adventures as a journalist and novelist, including a perilous journey into the 'Accursed Mountains' to meet the legendary Albanian brigand chief Vatt Marashi. Blending travelogue with memoir, the text offers candid insights into kings, celebrities, and crooks, capturing the thrill of early 20th-century exploration and the gritty realities of journalism.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Things I Know About Kings, Celebrities, and Crooks*, William Le Queux offers a vivid memoir of his life as a writer and special correspondent during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. The collection opens with a harrowing yet triumphant expedition into Northern Albania. Defying stern warnings from King Nicholas of Montenegro, who feared for his life, Le Queux ventured into the 'Accursed Mountains' to meet the dreaded Skreli brigands. Accompanied by local guides, he trekked treacherous paths to the fortress of Vatt Marashi. Contrary to the blood-curdling tales of Turkish ransoms and executions, Le Queux was welcomed as a guest. He describes the bandits' fierce loyalty, their unique code of honor where a stranger's word is sacred, and their hospitality, noting that their raids on Turkish caravans were viewed as patriotic acts against a hated enemy. The narrative then shifts to the gritty realities of journalism itself. Le Queux recounts a humorous yet revealing incident in Barmouth, Wales, where he and fellow journalist George Augustus Sala faced a dilemma: the local town council had lavishly entertained them to promote the resort, but a sudden snowstorm threatened to ruin their claims of a warm winter climate. In a candid admission, Le Queux reveals that the press collectively chose to falsify weather reports, claiming sunshine to protect the town's reputation and the money spent on their visit. He reflects critically on the lengths journalists will go to for a story, contrasting this with the modern 'press-agent' who exaggerates mediocrity for advertising purposes. Le Queux also provides a sobering look at the publishing industry. He details a bitter disappointment when his royalties from two successful novels vanished due to the bankruptcy of the Tower Publishing Company, a stark reminder of the financial risks authors faced in those days. Furthermore, he shares a mysterious tale involving a Swedish engineer who claimed to have deciphered a hidden cipher in the Book of Ezekiel pointing to King Solomon's treasures. Le Queux, along with the Chief Rabbi Dr. Adler, investigated the claim with genuine excitement, even securing funding for an expedition to Jerusalem, only for the Swedish contact to abruptly withdraw the proposal. Throughout the book, Le Queux maintains a voice that is both adventurous and self-reflective. He navigates the worlds of royalty, from audiences with kings to encounters with crooks, offering substantial insights into the behind-the-scenes mechanics of newspaper editing and the complex social landscape of his time.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History