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1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart offers good perspective of public thinking and attitudes during this era. Lacking are the nut and bolt front line battle tactics of the war years but still a good historical refresher. The book has a focus on political and sociological influences during the wars crucial early stages. [...]
Either I wasn’t paying attention or it didn’t seem relevant (to me) at the time but it sure is interesting stuff now. The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975 is a documentary that gives introduction to a cause and a taste for learning history. Having switched off certain current events back in the day; it’s [...]
I wandered into the subway station with only the general notion to travel North from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. To be unsure of this system is to appear vulnerable (prey) and everyone ELSE seemed to know exactly what they were about. A helpful NYPD Officer pointed out the C Train Uptown / Queens and [...]
Responding to well wishes of friends and family I conveyed a feeling of relief that our community had been spared the wrath of local tornado spawns. However, strewn about the neighborhood on lawns and in gutters are deposit fragments – shredded pink or yellow attic fiber insulation carried aloft in fury from homes unlucky. Sobering [...]
An oldtime 78 rpm record was recently uncovered and saved to digital format (Thanks MLS). It is an heirloom preserved. The voice in the recording belongs to Grandmother Strombotne as she sings — Élégie. It was produced in 1948. The vocals are in French so if one wishes to follow along; there is an English [...]
Artists Review Mme. Strombotne, who received her early training in Denmark, has one of those round-toned, bell-like voices that seem to be the prerogative of Scandinavian sopranos. It is the kind of voice Wagner wrote for, and her ‘Elsa’s Dream’ from ‘Lohengrin’ had the right quality. Her low range is unusually strong. No voice can [...]
Irrespective of trade publications or study manuals it’s been years decades since I picked up a book. This is about to change. Current media consumption consists of: video – Netflix, Tivo and SageTV audio – Podcasts (Buzz Out Loud, NPR, Rocketboom) web – syndicated news feeds [RSS] Wishing to add books, specifically eBooks, here is [...]
S’man visiting NYC happened upon the Ellis Island tour which led to an unexpected find. Memorialized there on a panel of the American Immigrant Wall of Honor was the name of his Great Great Grandfather. The discovery led to momentary excitement and debate here at home because previous searches of the Ellis Island/Port of New [...]
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