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Noah John Rondeau's name is often followed by the evocative description, "Adirondack Hermit." While it's true that he lived a mostly self-sustaining life as the "Mayor of Cold River City, Population One" for decades, the "hermit" descriptor belies the fact that he was actually quite sociable and loved to have visitors in his deep-forest enclave. His gregariousness was evident during Noah's second act-his own gilded age of fame and fortune, when he became a hit at sportsmen's shows throughout New York in 1947. He was able to mesmerize crowds by simply describing his amazing off-the-grid lifestyle while he showcased his sense of humor and his knack for telling tall tales. He even appeared on radio and television and was paid to have his portrait painted. His former subsistence lifestyle was replaced by, if not riches, more money than he had ever had in his life. How Noah came to be a backwoods celebrity is vividly described in Fame and Shekels: Noah John Rondeau at the Sportsmen's Shows, with friends' and fans' memories gleaned from the meticulous research we've come to expect from author O'Hern.
What most people don't ask is what happened to Noah after his stardom faded and he was unable to return to his beloved homestead at Cold River. The years he spent looking for a place where he could live in comfort and yet still retain some of his old lifestyle are covered in detail, again with valuable contributions from Noah's friends and relatives.
Fame and Shekels: Noah John Rondeau at the Sportsmen's Shows is a fascinating read for those who are already admirers of the legendary hermit, and readers for whom Noah is a new subject are in for a treat. Learning about the backwoods philosophy of Noah John Rondeau is a lesson not to be missed.
