Literature and Poetry
Review: A Paean to an American Museum
As curator of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History for forty years, Stanley Freed’s insider knowledge, academic integrity, captivating anecdotes and droll asides transform the original documents, letters, and archives on which his history is based, into a fascinating narrative. more »
More Than Just a Pretty Program: Birdsong on Masterpiece Classic
The novel came 13th in a 2003 BBC survey called the Big Read which aimed to find Britain's favourite book. It has also been adapted three times under the same title — for radio (1997), the stage (2010) and television (2012).. Now it's being presented on Masterpiece Classic. more »
The Mystery of Edwin Drood: "The loveliest girl in the world is yours by will and testament"
"An awkward interest (awkward because romantic) attaches to Miss Bud in the minds of the young ladies, on account of its being known to them that a husband has been chosen for her by will and bequest, and that her guardian is bound down to bestow her on that husband when he comes of age." more »
RMS Titanic Book Reviews: "It is impossible to stand. The music’s sounds are lost in an increasingly thunderous roar ... "
And the Band Played On truly takes up where the drama of Titanic’s loss leaves off. The excellent research tells the tale of a young girl’s love that could not wait for marriage; to a dishonest and avaricious father who might have graced the pages of Charles Dickens; of recognition pitifully sought and cruelly denied; of love and life triumphant over adversity more »