Review of “The School of Essential Ingredients” by Erica Bauermeister

This lovely book spins tales around the centrality of food in our lives, suggesting that heightened awareness about what, how and with whom we eat will translate into a more fulfilling existence, with the recognition of our needs and wants becoming as palpable to us as the aroma, shapes, feel and taste of an artfully [...]

Where to Find Out-of-Print Books on the Web

There are many resources for finding out-of-print books on the web. These are some of the biggest: Alibris (clearinghouse for over 10,000 independent sellers) AbeBooks (includes new and used textbooks and audiobooks and interesting lists – my favorite: “Ten Red-Haired Characters”) AddALL (searches from multiple sites and gives you price comparisons) Amazon’s Bibliofind (who knew [...]

April 29, 1899 – Birthday of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington

The jazz musician and composer known as Duke Ellington was born into Washington, D.C.’s black elite on April 29, 1899. As James Collier observes in the African American National Biography, “Ellington developed a strong sense of his own worth and a belief in his destiny, which at times shaded over into egocentricity. Because of this [...]

April 28, 1788 – Maryland Becomes the Seventh State in the Union

Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution and has two nicknames, the Old Line State and the Free State. It was named in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria (1609-1669), the wife of Britain’s King Charles I. Its history as a border state has led it to exhibit characteristics of both the [...]

Review of “The Man’s Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man” by Thomas Fink

I wish I had this book before our last party, during which a very tense confrontation erupted over a political issue. I could have whipped out the book and asked, “Okay, who knows the mathematical equation that enables you to pick the best urinal to use in the men’s room?” Or, “who can name the [...]

Review of “Decoding the Universe” by Charles Seife

Seife has you from hello: the first line of his book is: “Civilization is doomed.” His witty quotes and epigrams at the start of each chapter such as this limerick from A.H. Reginald Buller help sum up the themes of this book: “There was a young lady named Bright, Whose speed was far faster than [...]

Sunday Salon – Review of “A Lucky Child” by Thomas Buergenthal

Thomas Buergenthal is an amazing example of someone who managed to survive the Holocaust in spite of being above all, a small Jewish child. He passed through a series of nightmarish hurdles that included routine extermination of children, train transports, forced marches, concentration camps, selections for elimination within the camps, and the perils of disease, [...]

April 25, 1861 – The New York Seventh Infantry Regiment Saves the Day!

On April 14, 1861, President Lincoln learned that Ft. Sumter had been evacuated following its bombardment by the newborn Confederacy. The Civil War had begun. On April 15, Lincoln called for the mobilization of 75,000 troops. In the far north there was a tremendous outpouring of support, but the nation’s capital was surrounded by the [...]

April 24, 1800 – Birthday of The Library of Congress

On April 24, 1800, President John Adams approved the appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of “such books as may be necessary for the use of congress.” The books, the first purchased for the Library of Congress, were ordered from London and arrived in 1801. The collection of 740 volumes and three maps was stored [...]

Review of “Whisper of Warning” by Laura Griffin

I rarely read anything in the genre of romance novels, or “romantic suspense” as this book is styled. Rather I generally feel obligated to continue my education with some chunky difficult history book. Nevertheless, I won this book from the blog Booking with Bingo, so I opted to avoid the depressing holocaust book and depressing [...]