This nonfiction biographical/popular culture book can be found in the Bettendorf Public Library collection at 813.52 RE. If you loved reading the Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyn Keene, you’d probably enjoy reading about how they came to be and who wrote them. Many readers are still surprised to learn that Carolyn Keene is a pseudonym and not just for one author, but for several. Author Melanie Rehak concentrates on two women ahead of their time: Harriet Stratemeyer Adams who, with her sister, took over the Stratemeyer publishing syndicate after her father died in 1930; and Mildred Wirt Benson who was the ghost writer for the first Nancy Drew book in 1930 and for 22 of the next 30 in the original series. One of the most interesting things to me was that Mildred was raised in Ladora, Iowa, wrote more than 130 books and 100 stories for young people and was a diving champion, a licensed pilot, and a journalist for the Toledo [Ohio] Blade newspaper until the day she died at the age of 96. Her mantra was “I believe in absolute honesty and honesty in journalism.” I am rather proud that I share an Iowa upbringing with her. Nancy Drew, whether you’ve read the books or not, is presently and for the foreseeable future, a American cultural icon. If you’re curious to find out why, read this book.
Posts Tagged ‘Biography’
Hedy reviews GIRL SLEUTH: NANCY DREW AND THE WOMEN WHO CREATED HER
Monday, January 10th, 2011Maria reviews “As Always, Julia” by Julia Child and Avis DeVoto
Saturday, December 11th, 2010
As Always, Julia by Julia Child and Avis DeVoto, 641.5092 AS
I love Julia Child. I’ve only ever seen short clips of her iconic television show, I’ve never read her cookbook, and I don’t anticipate tackling any of the recipes. It’s not her cooking I love – it’s HER. One might think that someone who devotes her life to the fine art of French cooking would be pretentious. That couldn’t be farther from the truth where Julia Child was concerned.
In this book, we’re privy to the beginning of Julia’s lifelong friendship with Avis DeVoto, the woman who was instrumental in getting Julia’s opus, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, published. Avis’ husband, Bernard DeVoto, had written a column in Harper’s on the inadequacy of American stainless steel knives. In response, Julia sent him a quality French knife. (There’s a reason to love Julia right there. She sends gifts to people she doesn’t even know, but who work she appreciates!) Avis acted as secretary for her husband and cooked for their family, so she was the one to write the thank you note. It wasn’t long before the two women proceeded from “Dear Mrs. DeVoto” and “Dear Mrs. Child” to “Dear Avis” and “Dear Julia”.
There’s much to recommend As Always, Julia. It’s a lovely portrait of a beautiful friendship between two women (who, by the way, corresponded for years before they met). Avis and Julia were both very politically aware, and, as this was the era of Joseph McCarthy, there was much to discuss. The glimpses into their personal lives also fascinated me. Avis mentioned she arrived at a three days a week compromise with her housekeeper. At first, I assumed that meant that her housekeeper wanted to work more; but then I really that Avis was the one who wanted a full-time housekeeper. That is so foreign to my life, and the lives of most everyone I know, that it really threw me for a loop.
But through it all, the star attraction is still Julia Child. So larger-than-life, so dedicated to her calling, so giving to others, so supportive of her husband (who I also think I love), and so willing to laugh at herself, I only wish I could have had a chance to meet her. Since that can’t happen, I’ll settle for making her acquaintance through books.
I also recommend My Life in France, her autobiography that was completed posthumously by her grandnephew, Alex Prud’homme.
Maria reviews The Bauhaus Group
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010The Bauhaus Group: Six masters of modernism by Nicholas Fox Weber
Last fall, during Global Gathering Germany, architect Christopher Wegscheid gave a talk on the history of the Bauhaus school of Germany. While it’s not something I would have normally gone to, I arranged for the talk and I personally know Christopher. I knew it would be an entertaining presentation, regardless of whether or not I had an interest in the subject.
Well, I was right. It was fascinating. And so when I saw a review for The Bauhaus Group: Six master of modernism by Nicholas Fox Weber, I had to read it. I have to tell you, it took me weeks to finish it, but I’m glad it did.
The Bauhaus was born, lived and died during such a tumultuous period of Germany history that its mere existence holds interest for me. I think Weber did a great job of conveying the ideals of the Bauhaus. Ornament obscures; the beauty of an object lies in its form. Industry and art are not mutually exclusive. Appreciate anything that is very well-done; a well-played sport is preferable to a poorly-performed play.
The biographies of these six players (Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Josef and Anni Albers, and Mies van der Rohe) are rife with drama, politics, brilliance, pettiness, and, always, a love of art and creativity. They make for riveting reading. What made this such a long haul for me, however, was the extensive discussion of art theory. Of course, that’s to be expected in a book of this type. It’s just not something my brain wraps itself around easily.
What I was less enthusiastic about was how often Weber inserted himself into the biographies. Most especially his coverage of Josef and Anni Albers, whom he knew personally and of whose Foundation he is now the director, was less a recounting of their time at the Bauhaus and more of their time with Weber himself.
Nonetheless, while I still cannot say that I’m a huge fan of modernism, I have a new appreciation for the Bauhaus ideals, and, I hope, will make more of an effort to see the beauty in the natural form of everything around me, as the true Bauhauslers did.