Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087997 times)

JoanP · « **Reply #4520 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:20:40 AM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

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JoanP · « **Reply #4521 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:21:11 AM »

This morning the Washington Post and the local news is full of stories of Liz - and especially the time she spent in the Washington/Virginia area as Senator John Warner's wife. Not very happy years for fun-loving Liz.

Steph, Staying On will be open for business this evening. Traude will be happy to see you there.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4522 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:29:29 AM »

I lived in Virginia at the time (am a native Virginian), and, while I never met or even glimpsed Taylor, I had a large number of friends active in politics and the social world, and they told me her politics and Warner's were opposite in every way. As time went by, she grew more and more uncomfortable with those differences. I think they were fond of one another otherwise, but it most certainly was not the soulmanship she craved.

Oh, sidebar here: one reason I never made any effort to be where Elizabeth Taylor was: when my husband asked me to marry him, he promised he would be true to me and to me only forever and ever UNLESS. Unless Elizabeth Taylor should beckon him with so much as her little finger. I decided to take my chances. When we got a dog some half dozen years later, we named her Elizabeth Taylor and called her Lizzie. She was a great doggie.

After David's death, when the Love of My Life asked me to marry him, I made him the same promise, with Paul Newman instead of Taylor. He vocalized the same decision I had made re David!

maryz · « **Reply #4523 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:51:48 AM »

Love your sidebar, MaryPage.

marjifay · « **Reply #4524 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:14:59 PM »

In an interview, Barbara Walters asked Taylor what she wanted written on her tombstone. She replied, "That I hated to be called "Liz" and that I really lived my life!"

It's a wonder she lived as long as she did with all her medical problems.

I recently read and enjoyed the book Eddie Fisher wrote (he died recently): "Eddie: My Life, My Loves." He wrote lovingly about Elizabeth Taylor. Not quite so lovingly about Debbie Reynolds.

Too bad Taylor did not write her own autobiography.

Marj

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4525 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:03:00 PM »

My Siamese cats are called Lizzie and Gracie, after Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly.

My husband has the same conditions about Michele Pfeiffer

Rosemary

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4526 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:51:54 PM »

Your husband is a very discerning man! I think Pfeiffer is exquisite, though not in the same category as Liz or Grace. Grace was so elegant, classy. Liz always seemed smouldering! (not in National Velvet of course, LOL)

maryz · « **Reply #4527 on:** March 24, 2011, 06:25:17 PM »

Older generation here - our temptations would be Sean Connery and Ava Gardner.

PatH · « **Reply #4528 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:07:42 PM »

I like them dark haired and craggy-faced, like Ciaran Hinds at his prime. My husband had this Celtic color scheme, but it turned out he was just as attractive when his hair turned white.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4529 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:42:00 PM »

If they weren't so D--- macho Mexican men age beautifully however, in my early days I swooned with a Randolph Scott and Gary Cooper - these days Maxmillian Schell

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4530 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:52:05 PM »

These days, Barbara? I liked MS too, but has he done anything lately that i missed? I'm 69, so i guess i'm a half generation behind some of you. I'm a Tom Selleck/Burt Reynolds kind of gal, altho i could watch Yul Brynner in anything over and over. He was just so exotic AND aged well. I laughed about 10 years ago when my then 30 yr old dgt drolled over Sean Connery. When he was named sexiest man of the year - i guess that was longer than 10 yrs - she said "oh!yeah!" shocked me. ...... Jean

maryz · « **Reply #4531 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:12:50 PM »

Our youngest daughter feels the same way about Sean Connery. She'll be 50 in August. Also Yul Brynner - she obviously has a thing for bald older guys.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4532 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:29:48 PM »

hehehe This is what he is doing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYdwe3ArFWA&NR=1

roshanarose · « **Reply #4533 on:** March 24, 2011, 10:38:40 PM »

What a dish!!!! I fell in love with him when he was running and carrying the fox.

Steph · « **Reply #4534 on:** March 25, 2011, 05:58:25 AM »

Either she or her family had strong feelings about privacy.. To be buried the next day is quite unusual, but probably was the only way to have a private funeral and not a public spectacle. I admire them for that.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4535 on:** March 25, 2011, 06:14:32 AM »

Actually, it is Jewish tradition to be wrapped in a sheet and buried within 24 hours in a plain box; or so I have read. She had converted decades ago. I believe they do not do embalm or cremate, unless it is the law of the land they are living in.

http://www.uscj.org/guide_to_jewish_fune6211.html

ginny · « **Reply #4536 on:** March 25, 2011, 08:18:14 AM »

Who IS that in that film strip? I don't recognize him?

I came in to say you all were right and the Technophobe discussion is going great guns, I absolutely love it. I've been off with no end of conflicts but I truly enjoy reading our discussions here.

Very helpful it is, too. I've already learned something.

Last night I couldn't find Old Filth (which shows you something of what the state of my organization here is) and instead I grabbed in desperation The House at Riverton. Oh man, just what the doctor ordered so far, I love it, you don't find 98 year old protagonists every day, and didn't she capture it well, and she's apparently Australian. I know we have batted her name about here from time to time but it IS a good read. I've got her others too, but it's nice to sink into something and it's just the time of year to do that too.

Yes Elizabeth Taylor, what an icon, one of the Latin 300 students posted this in class as tribute to her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-dspv6LJHM&feature=player_embedded#at=97

(Unfortunately they are all coming thru the Arch of Constantine here, which of course did not exist in her time to see Rex Harrison who made a fabulous Julius Caesar) but HEY!

I have the remastered anniversary DVD of Cleopatra and it's a jewel. They had originally intended to make two movies of it, Caesar and then Antony and Cleopatra, and it does sort of separate. It's really a good movie for some things and is wonderfully evocative, and does show the prevailing feeling on Antony as a love sick puppy type at the Battle of Actium, which is now being rethought.

I think Angelina Jolie is very brave to walk in Liz's footsteps as Cleopatra. I honestly don't think she is another Liz. She may be another Cleopatra tho. The Tourist was flat.

Babi · « **Reply #4537 on:** March 25, 2011, 09:47:04 AM »

I'd be interested in knowing who is 'rethinking' Antony's actions at the Battle of Actium. Based
on the account of the battle I read of one of the ancient historians, he did behave like a love-sick puppy. Deserted his naval forces most disgracefully and went hareing off after Cleo, who
was already sailing away.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4538 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:01:14 PM »

Ginny, I am glad you like House on Riverton. I liked it sooooo much that I recently bought her book, The Forgotten Garden.

As for Jolie, I didn't know she is doing Cleo. I wonder who else is in the film.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4539 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:14:32 PM »

Barbara, i don't know if you were serious or joshing about " the most interesting man in the wirld" being MS, others have certainly thought so, but he isn't.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/hoffman/6429820.html

ginny · « **Reply #4540 on:** March 25, 2011, 02:21:17 PM »

Babi, you might try Goldsworthy in his Caesar for starters, tho he's a lot more circumspect than Schiff is. Schiff in her new Cleopatra, says "Clearly the flight had been prearranged; there would have been neither valuables nor sails stowed on Cleopatra's ships otherwise....Antony and Cleopatra had no intention of prolonging a battle."

In contrast to the movie, Cleopatra had actually a fleet of 60 ships with her and when she blithely sailed thru the gap in the fighting, she had the Treasury of Egypt on board. Antony did not follow as he did in the movie but with a fleet of 40 ships. However there are lots of other factors which would have made him walk that beach in despair afterwards, Schiff reports many of his soldiers on board the ships could not swim and he knew this and when appealed to before the battle by one of them could give no answer. It's pretty powerful stuff.

Goldsworthy has a new book out called Antony and Cleopatra, and I have it but have not gotten to Actium yet, but in his Caesar he is pretty impressive in advancing the reasons why this was not a love sick swain jumping on to a row boat but a planned maneuver. Schiff moreover says Augustus knew of the plan in advance and that Cleopatra took advantage of the brisk and favorable wind and "for the most part the enemy was powerless to overtake her." Plutarch apparently, according to Schiff, says Augustus's (Octavian's) men were impressed.

Schiff suggests that when Antony and Cleopatra joined up, "Antony neither saw nor spoke to Cleopatra, on account of what sounds more like shame than anger. Something had gone very wrong. Probably Antony's men were not meant to have remained behind. Cleopatra had earlier argued that the bulk of the army return with her to Egypt. The fleet had either been unable to escape or had elected not to do so. They may have preferred to fight a Roman rather than follow a foreigner, certainly there were mutinous murmurs in camp. "...and many other speculations as to what had gone wrong.

One can see why the Schiff remains on the best seller lists. I look forward to reading what Goldsworthy says on this same incident.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4541 on:** March 25, 2011, 03:45:45 PM »

ah ha - he IS the most interesting man in the world if even you had to look him up mabel

- yes, too young for old Max - I swear who ever it is since it is a Mexican beer that used to be produced in Monterrey - I do not know if Monterrey is still the home brewery but anyhow, my take he is a Mexican actor and as I say, most Mexican men age well... but the fun has been among those of us of a certain age that it is the German actor Maximillian Schell who is still a dish in my opinion

here is a link of one of his latest photos...
http://rpmedia.ask.com/ts?u=/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Maximilian_Schell_edit.jpg/160px-Maximilian_Schell_edit.jpg

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4542 on:** March 25, 2011, 06:54:14 PM »

NEWS: News Flash...

- JoanP did it!

What did she do you ask? Well...if you have not heard, she spoke with Helen Simonson, the first time published author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - the book so many of you read and recommended so that it beat out a field of 8 books in the lineup and we are discussing the book in April. Tra La - Helen will join us - the date is still not confirmed but she will join us -

And so if you plan on joining us please let us know
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2142.msg110533#msg110533

A few of you have indicated since you read the book you want to keep track of what we have to say but may not post that often - Please let us know who you are - BECAUSE we do want to give Helen a nice welcome and show her that her participation is a good SeniorLearn exchange and worthy of her time therefore, you may want to help us do that by providing a question for Helen.

All this will be explained further in the Major Pettigrew discussion.

salan · « **Reply #4543 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:14:22 PM »

I've read Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and the Distant Hours. I really enjoyed both of them; esp. The Forgotten Garden. I have requested that our library order The House at Riverton. Hopefully, they will do so. I am currently reading (and almost finished), The Elevator, Summer's Lease, and 3 Men in a Boat. They are all worth finishing, but not really grabbing my attention (which is probably why I am reading 3 at a time). I will finish them, but certainly will not read them again, and don't think that I will recommend them, either. I have Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas, my ftf book for April. I read it 2 years ago, but need to refresh myself. I like Sandra Dallas. She is my comfort book "go to" author and I've read all of hers. The library called and they are holding 2 books by Alice Hoffman for me--The Red Garden, and The Story Sisters. Have any of you read these?
Sally

CallieOK · « **Reply #4544 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:52:13 PM »

I read a friend's copy of "The House At Riverton" and enjoyed it so much that a library copy of "The Forgotten Garden" is in my TBR stack.

Barb, I doubt if I posted this - but I read "...Major Pettigrew" a few weeks ago and want to be one of those who will read but not post much. I'll go right over and sign in on the discussion.
How wonderful that JoanP was able to speak with the author - and that she will be joining us. I love it when that happens!

I'm about to finish "The Romanov Prophecy" by Steve Berry. It's a pretty good Suspense story and I plan to read more of his books.

BTW, what's considered the difference in a "suspense" and a "mystery"?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4545 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:17:14 PM »

Thanks Callie - we just want to send you any update so that if you would like to peek in when Helen is online you will know when that is occurring and if you have any questions for her we want to be sure they are included.

JoanK · « **Reply #4546 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:18:43 PM »

Callie:what's considered the difference in a "suspense" and a "mystery"?

I've wondered that, too. I've assumed that a "mystery" had to have, well, a mystery. there is a murder, and the reader doesn't know who did it, and follows the character trying to find out.

Suspense: there is danger and suspense involving the main character. The emphasis is on keeping them from being harmed. you may know who the bad guy is: even if you don't, the emphasis is on getting away, or preventing evil.

I made that up. Not sure it actually fits what publishers do. it's a good question: come ask it in the "Mystery Corner"

Frybabe · « **Reply #4547 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:42:41 PM »

Callie, The Romanov Prophesy is not one I've read yet. I did read his first, The Amber Room which was good, but I liked The Templar Legacy much better. In fact, I had a lot of fun with it because the site of most of the action and the mystery surrounding Bérerger Saurière exists. In fact, the place is something of a tourist attraction these days. I cruised their website to see exactly what Berry was describing. http://www.renneslechateau.com/default-uk.htm

I also liked The Alexandria Link very much. Of course, it's about the Alexandria Library. I have, but not yet read, The Charlemagne Pursuit. I see he has four more Cotton Malone series books out, so I am going to have to update my ToBuy list. Oops, sorry, three - The Jefferson Key won't be released until the middle of May. I read The Third Secret but I honestly don't remember what it was about.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4548 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:55:01 PM »

Joan, I tend to agree with you about suspense vs. mystery.

Frybabe, The author's notes in The Romanov Prophecy explain which things were true and which were products of his imagination. The ending is, IMO, definite proof of the depth of the latter!

I'm looking forward to reading some of the others.

Next on my list is The Forgotten Garden. Nothing is planned for the weekend and the weather forecast is for chilly and gloomy. I might finish by Monday.

Steph · « **Reply #4549 on:** March 26, 2011, 06:09:46 AM »

Extremely busy day today, but I am up and getting ready to walk the dogs. I must be one of the setup crew at 8:00am for the womens expo.. Looking forward to it.
I had honestly forgotten that Elizabeth had converted for Mike.. but am not sure it lasted..
Sean Connery is for this person of a certain age.. Paul Newman who died a bit ago was another.. Both of them aged well. A lot of the pretty boys did not.

bellemere · « **Reply #4550 on:** March 26, 2011, 09:00:13 AM »

I've started "Cleopatra: a Life" on my Nook and I think I am going to like it. The author seems to strive for historical accuracy, but also has a light touch. She tells us that Cleopatra's family was Macedonian Greek, "which makes her about as Egyptian as Elizabeth Taylor."

Babi · « **Reply #4551 on:** March 26, 2011, 09:39:40 AM »

From your comments, GINNY, it appears that Goldsworthy and Schiff agree. I'd need to read
more to understand why A & C got into a battle, losing so many ships and men, that they
knew they couldn't win and had no intention of pursuing past a certain point. Since I have
a copy of Plutarch, I'll take a look at what he has to say. Plutarch is also included in
Grant's book on the classic historians, but I don't believe the chosen selections address
this particular event. Grant refers to a different historian for the Battle of Actium.
I don't recall which one just now; I'll have to review.

roshanarose · « **Reply #4552 on:** March 26, 2011, 11:31:11 PM »

Hi bellemere - this quote may help to sort out Cleopatra's Greek connection for you.

Cleopatra VII was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Ancient Egypt, and therefore was a descendant of one of Alexander the Great's generals who had seized control over Egypt after Alexander's death. Most Ptolemeis spoke Greek and refused to learn Egyptian, which is the reason that Greek as well as Egyptian languages were used on official court documents like the Rosetta Stone By contrast, Cleopatra learned Egyptian and represented herself as the reincarnation of an Egyptian Goddess.

She was the last pharaoh of Egypt.

source: www.crystalinks.com/cleopatra

Steph · « **Reply #4553 on:** March 27, 2011, 06:07:31 AM »

I did not realize that Cleo was the last Pharoah..But then I am not sure I ever paid much attention.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4554 on:** March 27, 2011, 08:31:18 AM »

Oh, I did! I adored Ancient History from 9th grade on. We were lucky at my prep school in that we had a wonderful teacher who really was herself enthused over her subject. I can still remember, and that was 68 years ago, so very many vivid lectures and discussions from that year. Alexander chopped his empire up as presents to his faithful, and General Ptolemy got Egypt.

My passion for History began in the 5th grade with a year of Florida History, including De Soto and his search for the Fountain of Youth. I was blessed in that year, and in the 8th grade with Miss Lewis in English History ("divorced, killed, died, divorced, killed, lived"), and History has been my love all these many years. The 15th century is my speciality.

My mind can appreciate that we are all different and have different special blisses; and so it is that not all of us devour History as a subject. That being stated, I have always had a problem with the sort of mishy-mushy, lack of attention to details of the public at large to the origins of things. When you discover these things, it is like peeling a lid off a sealed can in the mind. I wonder, for instance, while we speak of things Egyptian, why it is the public does not appreciate our Halloween comes from back there and then. The Night of The Dead. They used to bring the family inside and stay there the night(s) when the spirits of the dead roamed abroad and could do them mischief. They put bowls and trays of food and drink outside their doors to mollify these spirits and have them do no harm to THEIR family. Do you see what we have today from back then?

ginny · « **Reply #4555 on:** March 27, 2011, 09:39:48 AM »

Babi, I really recommend Goldsworthy's Antony and Cleopatra as well. I've just resumed it on kindle this time and I am amazed how much easier it is reading it that way. It seems to break down his prose into manageable chunks. He starts by swiping at people who make assumptions and categorical statements about Cleopatra or Antony, after all, they are all using the same sources. Schiff is quite guilty of this, it's quite entertaining. I like it very much and am going to be interested in the contrasts between them.

I came in with news of special interest to those who attended our Soiree in NYC this past fall.

Bruce Frankel's book “What Should I Do For The Rest Of My Life?” has won the 2011 Silver Medal in the careers category of The Axiom Business Book Awards.

Designed to honor the year’s best business books and their authors and publishers, the fourth annual awards were announced by the Jenkins Group. “The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary business books and their creators, with the understanding that business people are an information-hungry segment of the population, eager to learn about great new books that will inspire them and help them improve their careers and businesses,” according to the organization’s announcement. A ceremony honoring the award recipients is scheduled for May 23 in New York City.

Bruce wrote the last time he won a medal was in the 8th grade, he was, in fact, the Conn. State Jr. Wrestling Champion, in the 95 pound weight class.

The man is a charmer, and he won us all over, one of the more charismatic speakers we've ever had, possibly second to Hoving who of course was the epitome.

I thought you all might enjoy hearing of this, go, Bruce!!

Our own Robby has an entire chapter in this book devoted to him.

pedln · « **Reply #4556 on:** March 27, 2011, 05:40:42 PM »

Thanks, Ginny, for that wonderful news about Bruce Frankel. It's a great book and he's a super person. And to think, if it hadn't been for Robby we all might have missed out on this.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4557 on:** March 27, 2011, 06:19:06 PM »

And on a much lighter note (lol) today they showed the 1963 movie, "Cleopatra". I hadn't seen it in probably 20+ years, and in deference to the passing of Liz Taylor, I watched it in its entirety. It may have been historically incorrect, but what a lovely "mash-up" as they say today. Seems to me even "that" movie would inspire some curiousity for people to do a little research about those times! Of course, there are so many millions of people today for whom history holds no interest, intrigue. I'd rather someone see a mish-mash than know "nothing at all about anything", and that's what a lot of our students today are doing. "History--what has that got to do with me?"
I can just hear them now!

MaryPage · « **Reply #4558 on:** March 27, 2011, 06:52:36 PM »

There are 2 answers to that which quickly come to mind:

(1) It is fascinating to learn the truth about where our habits, traditions, belief systems, taboos and so forth emerged and how they spread and were adapted to climate and topography and, eventually, evolved as time went by, and

(2) Equally amazing to read the thoughts of men from 2,500 years ago and further back which are Just Like The Thoughts of Thinking Men Today and their complaints about others are Just The Same! We can learn just one awful lot that can be helpful to us as we make our decisions throughout our lives if we understand that others have been faced with identical problems and choices and we read what their different lots in life were depending upon what choices they opted for.

Men have not changed much at all in several thousands of years. Technology is a different matter.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4559 on:** March 27, 2011, 07:54:13 PM »

Maybe Technology will change men

and empower women...

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087997 times)