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March 28, 2011

Joe Bageant

This was posted yesterday, so he died on Saturday:

After a vibrant life, Joe Bageant died yesterday following a four-month struggle with cancer. He was 64. Joe is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children, Timothy, Patrick and Elizabeth, and thousands of friends and admirers. He is also survived by his work and ideas.

According to Joe's wishes, he will be cremated. His family will hold a private memorial service.

Some of my favorite writing by Joe Bageant:

"The Simulacran Republic"

"What the 'Left Behind' Series Really Means"

"Revenge of the Mutt People"

His photoalbum of his hometown of Winchester, Virginia

Now that it's too late for the money to do him any good, I just bought Rainbow Pie: A Redneck Memoir and Deer Hunting with Jesus.

And here's that great interview with him from last year (thanks, Nell). He says this at the end:

The struggle is for the consciousness of the planet, the consciousness of that smear of biology on a speck of cosmic dust. There's a spiritual side of man, there's a moral side. I'm not a Christian, but it's there, and it's there for us to share as a people, together.

—Jonathan Schwarz

Posted at March 28, 2011 12:50 AM
Comments

A great loss for us all, and not just because of the writing, which was spectacular.

Posted by: N E at March 28, 2011 06:03 AM

My favorite piece of his is Three Nights in Philly. RIP Joe Bageant.

Posted by: Aaron Datesman at March 28, 2011 06:05 AM

Joe had heart.

Posted by: mistah charley, ph.d. at March 28, 2011 07:22 AM

What a soul. I corresponded with Joe a few times and he replied in the same poetic style as his essays.

Posted by: NCorey at March 28, 2011 08:30 AM

For those who haven't read him, I recommend starting with his essays. Deer Hunting for Jesus came across (to me) as watered down by the publisher.

Posted by: ncorey at March 28, 2011 08:36 AM

Ah, crap.

Posted by: John Caruso at March 28, 2011 12:27 PM

Joe Bageant lived only just up the valley from here, but it took Chris Floyd to introduce me to his work.

The photo album tears me to pieces, laughing and crying.

Posted by: Nell at March 28, 2011 04:14 PM

We don't need heroes to follow, or to hear, but his words struck.

Posted by: Rwood at March 28, 2011 10:27 PM