In The Enemy Camp. Selected Poems 1964-74
2015
First Published
4.42
Average Rating
103
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William Wantling (1933-74) was a veteran of the Korean War and a heroin addict who spent five years in San Quentin Prison, where he first taught himself to write. Despite being a convicted felon, he qualified for the G.I. Bill on his release in 1963 and went on to obtain a BA and MA in English from Illinois State University. He was a contemporary of Charles Bukowski with whom he had an unusual and ultimately destructive friendship. This selection brings together the best of Wantling's prolific output, including many poems dealing with Korea, heroin addiction and prison.
Avg Rating
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Author
William Wantling
Author · 2 books
William Wantling (November 23, 1933 – May 2, 1974) was an American poet, novelist, ex-Marine, ex-convict, and college professor born in East Peoria, Illinois. After graduating high school he joined the Marine Corps until 1955. He served in Korea during 1953. After leaving the Marines he moved to California and eventually had a son with his then-wife Luana. Wantling went to San Quentin State Prison in 1958 convicted of forgery and possession of narcotics. During his imprisonment Luana divorced him and took custody of the child. He was released in 1963, and returned to Peoria. There he married Ruth Ann Bunton, a fellow divorcee, in 1964. In 1966 he enrolled at Illinois State University, where he received both a BA and MA. He taught at the university up until his death on May 2, 1974. Wantling died of heart failure, possibly brought about by his extensive drug use.
