Honoring Edgar Allen Poe's 200th birthday

Edgar Allen Poe's 200th
birthday is a cause for
remembering the great author of wonderful, eerie tales of woe and suspense. He died at the young age of 40, yet is still remembered today through his literary works.
There are several sites who honor the famed author. There is the the Baltimore Poe House and Museum.
Richmond Virginia has even set up a site commemorating the author's 200th birthday.
Philadelphia has their own claim on the author. Not to be left out, Bronx, New York has preserved Poe's cottage for visitors who wish to see where Poe had written and lived. It was here that Poe's beloved wife, Virginia, died. Poe, himself, died two years later.
In honoring his bicentennial, we shall put an excerpt from one of his works.
"I looked upon the scene before me - upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain - upon the bleak walls - upon the vacant eye-like windows - upon a few rank sedges - and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees - with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation more properly than to the after-dream of the reveller upon opium - the bitter lapse into everyday life - the hideous dropping off of the veil. There was an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart - an unredeemed dreariness of thought which no goading of the imagination could torture into aught of the sublime. What was it - I paused to think - what was it that so unnerved me in the contemplation of the House of Usher?"

-All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.—A Dream within a Dream

The Longest Trip Home

John Grogan, author of the best selling book, Marley and Me, has penned his memoir entitled, The Longest Trip Home. Delving into his Detroit childhood and subsequent metamorphosis into adulthood, Grogan chronicles not only his life but the transformation of middle class suburbia in the 1960s and beyond. He comes to terms with his parent’s conservative Catholic teachings and the pilgrimages to holy sites disguised as family vacations. Grogan vividly draws the reader in to the world as he saw it. I could feel the unrest of the 60s and almost smell the church incense from his Catholic youth. He faced the usual adolescent hurdles as he began to question his own faith within the strict dogmatic teachings of his environment. His anecdotal humor took a light hearted glimpse of Catholic schools, from being an alter boy to his first confession. His narrative approach, like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, gave his youth a witty retrospective from the eyes of the man he had become. Grogan doesn’t blame his parents, which he could have easily done, but rather celebrates their stability and devotion. It’s refreshing to read a memoir from an author who is able to see all sides of his family without unnecessary finger pointing.

Grogan wraps up his book with a heart felt picture of his aging parents and the roles he and his siblings portrayed in their care. I would highly recommend this book for its moving sensitivity, humor and unique insight. It caused me relate to my own childhood amidst the backdrop of the turbulent 60s and 70s. The vibrant imagery and tender story made this book a wonderful, easy read.

There I Grew Up

In 1859 Abraham Lincoln wrote about his youth in Indiana when asked to enlighten the public about his life.
“We reached our new home about the time the State came into the union. It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals in the woods. There I grew up.”
Taking from this autobiographical paragraph, William Bartelt titled his book on Lincoln's time in Indiana. It is a thorough account of Lincoln's "coming of age" years when he and his family cleared the forest in southern Indiana in order to make a life for themselves. Bartelt, in true academic form, delved into the research and writings from Lincoln's contemporaries, including William Herndon, Lincoln's law partner and biographer. Herndon painstakingly interviewed and researched Lincoln's life in order to write a precise biography of his former partner and friend. He wanted, not only to enlighten, but to set the records straight. After Lincoln's death, many tales were being imparted about the former president which weren't always accurate. The public wanted a legend and the writers of the day set about giving them what they wanted. Bordering on legend and fantasy, Lincoln began to become something of a mythical icon.
Herndon interviewed Lincoln's family and friends who knew him best. Bartelt covered Herndon's interviews and his notes concerning these examinations. The book also reveals, through the words of those who knew him, Abraham Lincoln’s humor, empathy, and quest knowledge. It gives a distinct overview of the community where the Lincolns settled in southern Indiana during the years 1816 to 1830.
Bartelt is a retired educator who, for more than fifteen summers, was employed as a ranger and historian at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. He is a member of the Federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's Advisory and Education Committees and serves as vice chair of the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Many books have been written about Abraham Lincoln and many more still to come. With the approaching Lincoln's bicentennial, this book makes a fine addition to any Lincoln library.

Fly -Like The Wind

Fly a work by Bridgette Z. Savage is written with the unique perspective of a horse. Fly. was a mare who served in the civil war with her owner, George M. Barrett. George treasured his beloved, Fly. When George enlisted in the Calvary at the start of the Civil War, he brought Fly with him. The army encouraged soldiers to bring their own horses. Fly, fit in well and was a quick learner. One day when George was sick, Fly broke free and joined the other horses and their riders. Fly followed the maneuvers perfectly. Fly's personality and dedication set her apart from the rest.
The editorial description: Based on the true story of a horse and her rider in the American Civil War, "Fly Like the Wind" recounts the adventures of two life-long friends from Posey County, Indiana. A young man and his treasured mare travel with the Indiana Cavalry into the deep South where their friendship and faithfulness carry them through unimaginable events. Strength of character and sense of purpose are important elements in this historic adventure. Woven around stories that have been told and retold for more than one hundred years, this book brings Fly to life in the hearts and minds of readers of all ages.

What's even more amazing is that you can actually see Fly's skeleton at the Workingman's Institute in New Harmony Indiana. This hidden treasure is a remarkable tribute to the mare who not only served but survived the Civil War. Not only that, Fly lived a long life for a horse. She was an example of what love and dedication can accomplish, even for a horse.

Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book

For those of you who prefer to see the reader, here is a link to do just that. Neil's people have uploaded videos of him reading the chapters. They will, in time, upload videos of him reading each and every chapter. So, in effect, he will have gifted the entire book to his fans. Why, would he do this? First, I'm sure it won't stay up forever. Second, he has realized that it pays off in the long run. After having given out, for a limited time, American Gods and Neverwhere, his publisher has noted an increase in sales across the board for all of his books. It makes sense really. There are so many books available on this planet that it boggles the mind. If you can get someone to actually read your book you have a potential reader for all your books. You can't catch a fish without bait. Its a win win situation for the author and his fans or potential readers. How great is that?

Banned Books Week

This is Banned Books Week, an event founded by the American Library Assn. back in 1982 and observed -- and debated -- ever since. Is there a fine line between protecting impressionable minds vs. the freedom of speech? It seems obvious that young readers shouldn't read adult oriented material. When is it OK to ban a book from the entire reading population? Should all books be available to every grown adult? The debate over "dangerous" books is never ending. The definition of what is considered dangerous or harmful is arguably the most difficult definition to come up with. Maybe a book called "1001 ways to commit suicide" or possibly a book called "how to kill people without getting caught" could be considered dangerous. The problem is, it isn't that clear cut. You won't see books with those titles. You will see such subject matter hidden inside works of fiction and and non fiction. Who's to judge? I can honestly say I couldn't take on such an ominous task. Nonetheless, books Americans have grown to love have, over the course of history, been banned. The freedom of speech must be defended, but to what extent? We would like to think that we enjoy freedom in our American democracy. As such, we expect to be able to exercise the free choice in what we read and write. Do we need censorship? I would like to say emphatically, no! However, I know what danger lurks between the leaves of those pages of many marketed novels. Yet, who am I to say you can't read it?

Back from the Aether

Life has its way of grabbing you by the lapels and shaking you awake. I've been reading, writing and then reading again. That is when I'm not working for a living and maintaining a home. After a hiatus I'm back and loaded with books and things to discuss. Check back soon as I've got some great books to review and enlighten.