Docendo Discimus
I remember the feeling of finishing reading "The Lottery" for the first time in the 7th Grade... There was, of course, the expected shock at the surprise ending, but what was odd was that I disliked Tessie Hutchinson from the beginning, so there was a perverse pleasure in the end of the story. Was that... Continue Reading →
Harriet Beecher Stowe, born on June 14, 1811, in Litchfield, Connecticut, was an American author and abolitionist. She came from a prominent religious family; her father, Lyman Beecher, was a well-known Calvinist preacher, and her siblings were influential in various social reform movements. Stowe's fervent beliefs about slavery were shaped by her religious upbringing and... Continue Reading →
Let's time travel back to February 2, 1709. Picture this: The blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the sails of the Duke, a British privateering ship, billowing in the sea breeze. On board, Captain Woodes Rogers and his crew spot a figure on the Juan Fernández Islands, off the coast of Chile. Can you believe... Continue Reading →
In 1933, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was the stage for a significant legal battle involving the novel "Ulysses" by James Joyce. The case, known as "US v. One Book Called Ulysses," stands as a watershed moment in the history of censorship and freedom of expression in American... Continue Reading →
L. Sprague de Camp, an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction, played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of the 20th century. Born on November 27, 1907, in New York City, he grew up in an era when the genres of science fiction and fantasy were blossoming. De Camp, a graduate... Continue Reading →
DeWitt Wallace, born on November 12, 1889, in St. Paul, Minnesota, was a pioneering figure in the world of publishing and philanthropy. He is best known as the founder of Reader's Digest, a publication that would become a global phenomenon. This biographical article delves into the life and achievements of DeWitt Wallace, tracing his journey... Continue Reading →
Moby Dick is a touchstone of American literature, a tome that has wrestled with the psyche of many readers and scholars for generations. Penned by Herman Melville, it's more than just a story about a man and a whale; it's an intricate tapestry of philosophy, obsession, and the human condition. Let's delve deeper into the... Continue Reading →
James Fenimore Cooper, an American novelist from the 19th century, is best known for his literary contributions that helped shape the American novel and establish a distinct genre known as the "Leatherstocking Tales." His life and works offer a compelling glimpse into the early days of American literature and the exploration of American identity. In... Continue Reading →
When I was asked to do the Afternoons Live Book Guild, Animal Farm was a book that I knew we had to do. I guess I was surprised - but I shouldn't have been - by how much I had missed when I read the book back in high school. It makes me wonder what... Continue Reading →
My introduction to Shakespeare came in 1980 at Ogden High school. Mrs. Darrington, one of the the four best teachers I ever had, opened us up to the playwright, starting with the Scottish Play. For whatever it's worth, I played Banquo, while my best friend got the lead as Macbeth. The story has stayed with... Continue Reading →
Alexis Charles Henri Clérel de Tocqueville, commonly known as Alexis de Tocqueville, was a French political thinker, historian, and sociologist. He was born on July 29, 1805, in Paris, France, into a noble family with a long history of public service. Tocqueville's upbringing and education instilled in him a sense of duty and a deep... Continue Reading →
Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) was an influential American writer best known for his contributions to the detective fiction genre. With his iconic creation, private detective Philip Marlowe, Chandler redefined and revitalized the hardboiled detective genre, leaving an indelible mark on literature and popular culture. This biography explores the life, literary career, and lasting legacy of Raymond... Continue Reading →
Source: Animal Farm | novel by Orwell | Britannica Animal Farm, anti-utopian satire by George Orwell, published in 1945. One of Orwell’s finest works, it is a political fable based on the events of Russia’s Bolshevik revolution and the betrayal of the cause by Joseph Stalin. The book concerns a group of barnyard animals who overthrow and chase off their exploitative... Continue Reading →
Barbara Tuchman, author who was one of the foremost American popular historians in the second half of the 20th century. Barbara Wertheim was born a member of a wealthy banking family and was educated at Walden School in New York City. After four years at Radcliffe College (B.A., 1933), she became a Source: Barbara Tuchman... Continue Reading →
"Tell me a fact, and I'll learn. Tell me a truth, and I'll believe. But tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever." - Steve Sabol, NFL Films It’s hard not to love the traditions of the Christmas season. Getting together with loved ones, good food, the exchange of gifts, and... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 