Festivals and Culture
CultureWatch Reviews: Founding Gardeners, The Map of True Places and the Doc Martin DVD Collection
Don’t let the noted extra pages of notes and bibliography put you off Founding Gardeners, a remarkable book. Neither dull nor pedantic, nor beyond the grasp of anyone who likes history or loves growing things. The Map of True Places is a real psychological novel, dealing with layers of each personality and enough mystery to keep it moving with plenty of impetus. DVD Set: The reviewer admits they're watching the Doc Martin complete series for the third time, something the title character (an esteemed but rude doctor) would not admire, no doubt. more »
Television, Music and Playwrighting: "Women Today Don't Go Away"
Maureen Dowd's NY Times column said it all about the upcoming television season quoting a TV producer. "All the big, corporate men saw Christina Hendricks play the bombshell secretary on Mad Men and fell in love. It’s a hot fudge sundae for men: a time when women were not allowed to get uppity or make demands" more »
What's On the Menu?; Help The New York Public Library Transcribe Historic Collection of Restaurant Menus
With 40,000 menus dating from the 1840s to today, The NYPL's restaurant menu collection is one of the largest in the world, used by historians, chefs, novelists and everyday food enthusiasts. All it takes is an Internet connection to take part! more »
Upstairs Downstairs Revisited: Dame Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh Comment on the New Series
A new set of occupants will reside at the iconic address of 165 Eaton Place, London and viewers will see how external and internal influences of the tumultuous pre-war period shape and mould the lives of this wealthy family and their servants. more »