The real-life adventures of Ernest Hemingway

Many adventure writers have to rely on their imaginations to come up with their stories. Some, however, are lucky enough to be able to draw on real-life experiences. Few have lived the kind of action-packed life of celebrated American writer Ernest Hemingway. Here are a few of the real-life adventures which have influenced his work

World War I

When he was just 18, Hemingway wanted to be a part of the World War I effort in Europe. He was rejected from the US Army due to poor eyesight. However, he was so determined to see some action at the front that he became a volunteer for the Red Cross ambulance division in 1918.

This brought him to the battlefield in Italy and while there, he managed to get as close as he could to the frontline. This resulted in him being hit by shrapnel, however that did not stop him from carrying wounded soldiers from the front line. Hemmingway earned a medal for Military Valor from the Italian military for his efforts.

Spanish Civil War

Initially dispatched as a reporter for the cover of the Spanish, Hemingway ended up fighting in the conflict for the republican side. He used his experiences in the war to write his novel For Whom The Bell Tolls and also wrote propaganda films for the republicans. Hemmingway also held a fundraiser for ambulances used to treat wounded republican soldiers during the war.

Fisherman and smuggler

Hemingway built his boat called Pilar and used it to fish for big catches off the coast of Florida and Cub. He also helped rum smugglers in the area when Prohibition was introduced in the US in the 1920s.

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