Originally Posted by RHWright
Harlan has a reputation, to be sure. My experience with him stems from my bookstore days. This was back in '96. We had a signing scheduled with him to coincide with Edgeworks Vol 1, when he had to go in for bypass surgery. All other tour dates got cancelled, but, luckily, he was recovered enough that our date was not.
Big turn out and he was genial and friendly to all comers.
Even ended up going out to dinner with him and his friends afterward, where he regaled us with various tales.
Fast forward a few days. A mail ordered copy had been personalized incorrectly. Our store's PR person didn't want to deal with it. (She didn't get along with him, but then she was a bit of a rhymes with witch.) So I call and, if I recall correctly, talk to Susan (Harlan's wife) who checks with him and says, basically, come on up to the house and Harlan will sign a new book for this customer.
So I, with wife and <1 year-old daughter in tow (as I'm doing this on my day off), wind my way up the hills of Sherman Oaks/Tarzana to Harlan's house. Which, I have to say from what I saw, is pretty cool.
Even cooler is that he let himself be imposed on like this to make a fan happy. When he didn't have to. When he was still recovering from heart bypass surgery.
So, while there is no denying the reality that he's had some dust ups in his time, all I can say is that I experienced his graciousness and generosity.
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