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The Who, the What, and the When: 65 Artists Illustrate the Secret Sidekicks of History
In the bestselling tradition of The Where, the Why, and the How, this offbeat illustrated history reveals 65 people you've probably never heard of, but who helped shape the word as we know it. Muses and neighbors, friends and relatives, accomplices and benefactors—such as Michael and Joy Brown, who gifted Harper Lee a year's worth of wages to help her write To Kill a Mockingbird. Or John Ordway, the colleague who walked with Lewis and Clark every step of the way. Each eye-opening story of these unsung heroes is written by a notable historian and illustrated by a top indie artist, making The Who, the What, and the When a treasure trove of word and image for history buffs, art lovers, and anyone who rejoices in unexpected discovery.
167 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 29, 2017
A coffee table style book I picked up at the library. It would be better to own and dip in and out of rather than read straight through (which is what I did since, library.)
As the title says, these are 65 short essays by 65 different writers and illustrated by 65 very different artists on the hidden figures in history that inspired or aided someone famous. There is a lot of variety: John Greenwood (George Washington's dentist-despite the oft-repeated anecdote, his dentures were never made of wood), Emily Dickinson's dog, Carlo, Trudie Ederle's swim coach, Charlotte Epstein, and John Wayne's long-time stuntman, Yakima Canutt.
The essays are good, but the artwork was my favorite part of the book. The story about Alan Turing and a friend who died young is accompanied by a lovely Chagall-esque illustration. The one about Andy Warhol is accompanied by a drawing of his Czech mother buying a cartload of Campbell's soup that he would go on to famously paint. My favorite, however, is the miniatures Thomas Doyle created and photographed to illustrate the charming relationship between Vladimir and Vera Nabokov.
This was cute. It would make a really good gift for the right person.
As the title says, these are 65 short essays by 65 different writers and illustrated by 65 very different artists on the hidden figures in history that inspired or aided someone famous. There is a lot of variety: John Greenwood (George Washington's dentist-despite the oft-repeated anecdote, his dentures were never made of wood), Emily Dickinson's dog, Carlo, Trudie Ederle's swim coach, Charlotte Epstein, and John Wayne's long-time stuntman, Yakima Canutt.
The essays are good, but the artwork was my favorite part of the book. The story about Alan Turing and a friend who died young is accompanied by a lovely Chagall-esque illustration. The one about Andy Warhol is accompanied by a drawing of his Czech mother buying a cartload of Campbell's soup that he would go on to famously paint. My favorite, however, is the miniatures Thomas Doyle created and photographed to illustrate the charming relationship between Vladimir and Vera Nabokov.
This was cute. It would make a really good gift for the right person.
December 15, 2017
Read this book and surveyed all the graphics closely too in an evening. For me the "celebs" they decided to highlight were indicative of the authors as much as it was for the celebs and side kicks. Highly indicative of those "eyes" which format and wrote, as much as for that association of the secret sidekicks that were well detailed in majority. They did a good job on those 65 they picked. And I found some of the sidekicks far more interesting as people themselves than their celeb pal or boss or partner. (I would have liked them better anyway.) These were almost entirely all celebs of elite world origins and work sources or top economic class/ category outputs. (No Walter Payton or Nascar drivers, for instance.) A portion, very small, like Andy Warhol or Elvis? They might have started out in poorer or "other" surroundings but did not live the majority of their years there. Even those in the scientific category of celeb are not primarily names that the "folks" would know.
It's ok as a read. But it's often cold and at times for me, mean. For some of their suppositions, they couldn't possibly know "facts" that they state as facts, IMHO. Take this book with a high dose of upper class Manhattan style sauce. If you consider yourself a "social warrior" you will be more attuned to their "celeb" choices.
It's ok as a read. But it's often cold and at times for me, mean. For some of their suppositions, they couldn't possibly know "facts" that they state as facts, IMHO. Take this book with a high dose of upper class Manhattan style sauce. If you consider yourself a "social warrior" you will be more attuned to their "celeb" choices.
February 7, 2015
Alfred Hitchcock's wife.
Roald Dahl's mom.
Emily Dickinson's dog.
Maurice Sendak's brother Jack.
All supported and championed creative genius and this book tells all. I loved it. The illustrations are enchanting and the text is informative and engaging. This would be such a fun supplemental text for schools!
This book makes me wonder about Almost Famous Women: Stories. I will have to check it out.
May 24, 2017
This was quite interesting, however I found that I enjoyed the illustrations more than some of the biographies. I will definitely be looking back at this book for illustration reference in the future. It has a wonderful selection of illustration styles and media.
November 6, 2024
Turns out so many famous people are arseholes who take other peoples work 😬 nah but most of these were actually kinda sad, because the sidekick was never recognised. Super interesting book, it was mostly interesting to read that Abraham Lincoln slept in his “roommates” bed for 5 years? Gaï
March 21, 2023
This was a good bathroom book, which is not some overt insult: it's a good book to read on your phone while sitting on the toilet. I often did not recognize the names of the supposedly famous historical figures, let alone their sidekicks. Still, that was not a problem because each biography is short (two or three swipes long) and features interpretive portraits whose styles befit the stories. The editors do a good job of compiling different kinds of relationships and endings--some end up happy together, others end up happy albeit separated, and few were not fortunate to have closures. I only came across one piece that I felt shouldn't have been included. That piece is "Christopher Morcom," which is all about Alan Turning except for the first two paragraphs. As the author confesses, there weren't enough primary or secondary sources to write up a 1-2 page piece about Christopher (although I think it could be reworked into a ghost story).
My favorites
- portrait of a marriage: Alma Reville & Alfred Hitchcock, and Marie Anne Lavoisier & Antoine Lavoisier
- indispensable assistants of letter: Joyce McLennan, P. D. James's assistant, and Marcus Tullius Tiro, Cicero's assistant
- a kindred with a tender soul: Jack Sendak, Maurice Sendak's brother
- a cheerleader for a colleague: Max Deutschbein, Martin Heidegger's colleague (really great artwork too)
My favorites
- portrait of a marriage: Alma Reville & Alfred Hitchcock, and Marie Anne Lavoisier & Antoine Lavoisier
- indispensable assistants of letter: Joyce McLennan, P. D. James's assistant, and Marcus Tullius Tiro, Cicero's assistant
- a kindred with a tender soul: Jack Sendak, Maurice Sendak's brother
- a cheerleader for a colleague: Max Deutschbein, Martin Heidegger's colleague (really great artwork too)
January 5, 2015
The Who, The What, and The When: 65 Artists Illustrate The Secret Sidekicks of History by Jenny Volvovski, Julia Rothman, and Matt Lamothe
Once the reader gets past the clunky title and peers at the beautiful illustrations, the book is a great inspiration. Readers walk away truly motivated by stories of the ‘sidekicks’ of our recent past.
This collection is full of short descriptions of the people who helped and influenced major scientific, historical, and cultural leaders. They are paired with illustration that only added to the reading experience. It was great to flip through and see the people who had influenced my heros.
The people chosen for the collection were mostly American, but they were from various fields including writers, artists, and explorers. Even the woman who made Tupperware popular was included. Most of the accounts were well-written and some were even poetic. They varied in length and style and were diverse much like the people they were trying to capture.
The illustrations were created in different styles and most were beautiful. They are works of art in their own right.
While there were many different types of relationship and partnerships highlighted, my favorites entries were based in romantic of familial love.
Maurice Sendak and his brother Jack- Jack became Maurice family and support throughout his early life. He helped inspire him to write children’s books like ‘Where the Wild Things Are’.
Jerry Siegel and his father Michel Siege - The loss of his father moved Jerry to create Superman.
Giuseppe Verdi and his wife Guiseppina Strepponi - A truly poetic entry that explained what Verdi’s wife had to give up to made him a success.
As a reader, you can really see how love can move and motivate us.
While some the entries vary in quality, overall the book is a great inspiration and addition to anyones library.
http://thingsilearnedfromstories.tumb...
Once the reader gets past the clunky title and peers at the beautiful illustrations, the book is a great inspiration. Readers walk away truly motivated by stories of the ‘sidekicks’ of our recent past.
This collection is full of short descriptions of the people who helped and influenced major scientific, historical, and cultural leaders. They are paired with illustration that only added to the reading experience. It was great to flip through and see the people who had influenced my heros.
The people chosen for the collection were mostly American, but they were from various fields including writers, artists, and explorers. Even the woman who made Tupperware popular was included. Most of the accounts were well-written and some were even poetic. They varied in length and style and were diverse much like the people they were trying to capture.
The illustrations were created in different styles and most were beautiful. They are works of art in their own right.
While there were many different types of relationship and partnerships highlighted, my favorites entries were based in romantic of familial love.
Maurice Sendak and his brother Jack- Jack became Maurice family and support throughout his early life. He helped inspire him to write children’s books like ‘Where the Wild Things Are’.
Jerry Siegel and his father Michel Siege - The loss of his father moved Jerry to create Superman.
Giuseppe Verdi and his wife Guiseppina Strepponi - A truly poetic entry that explained what Verdi’s wife had to give up to made him a success.
As a reader, you can really see how love can move and motivate us.
While some the entries vary in quality, overall the book is a great inspiration and addition to anyones library.
http://thingsilearnedfromstories.tumb...
February 26, 2015
Super concept to highlight those who helped make famous folk famous.
Greatness is the intersection of a Solid mentor + Uncompromising colleague + Dumb luck + Generous, whip-smart spouse.
The 18-year-old Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) wore on his Olympic jacket and gold medal on his return flight from; what did he strap to his back on the flight to the Olympics in Rome? a self-purchased parachute strapped to his back (p 12)
Daniel Kugler - Torevealourbackstreets.tumblr.com
Although contrary to popular myth, George Washington’s dentures were never made of wood, what were they made of? lead, gold, hippopotamus tusk, and real teeth (cow, horse and even human) (p 14) John Libre
In their first meeting in 1923, legend has it Véra Nabokov wore this on a bridge in Berlin and recited Vladimir’s own poetry to him: black satin mask (p 16 ) Lauren Acampora
John Ordway, Lewis and Clark’s colleague did this every day on the Corps of Discovery Expedition to the Pacific coast: kept a daily log from start to finish (p 18) Jay Scaher jaysacher.com
Andy Warhol’s mother, Julia, gave Andy a bowl of Campbell’s soup every day for lunch in grammar school (p 20) John Niekras JohnNiekrasz.wordpress.com
Ian Stewart, Rolling Stones’ sixth member was sacked by his friends although he helped shape the group’s lineup and remained a confidant of the group because of his looks - He looks like a coal miner, said Andrew Long Oldham, their manager
The other invention of Thomas A Watson, Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant, was the call bell (p 26) Jessica Lamb-Shapiro jessicalambshapiro.com
Roald Dahl’s mother, Sofie Magdalene (Hesselberg) Dahl, would entertain him and his sibs with stories about Norwegian trolls and mythical creatures in the forests (p 28) Jackie Leavitt jackie-leavitt.com
Coco Chanel’s lover, Captain Arthur Edward “Boy” Capel, was always known as “Boy” (p 30) Lauren Viera laruenviera.com
The black dress popularized by Coco Chanel was prompted by the mourning following her lover’s death
Coco Chanel’s favorite number, for good luck, was #5 :) bottle of Chanel No. 5
The beveled, rectangular shape for Coco Chanel’s No. 5 was based on Capel’s whiskey decanter/toiletry bottles
Alan Turing’s friend, Christopher Morcom, died of bovine TB (p 32) Nas Hedron nassauhedron.com
Alma Reville, Alfred Hitchcock’s wife, noticed Janet Leigh swallowing when she was supposed to be dead in the shower scene of Psycho, leading to an invaluable fix in the editing room. (p 36) JM Tyree nereview.com/j-m-tyree
Brownie Wise, Early Tupper’s partner, built Tupperware and was the face of the company (p 38) Joshua Wolf Shenk shenk.net
Marilyn Monroe’s photographer, Sam Shaw, took the photo on Lexington Ave with her standing over a breeze from the subway grate below. Monroe turned to her friend, whose nickname was based on Humphrey Bogart’s character in The Maltese Falcon: “Hi, Sam Spade” she said, and Shaw captured Monroe’s image. (p 52) Melissa Stevens shawfamilyarchives.com
Woodrow Wilson’s wife, Edith Bolling Wilson, took charge after the President suffered a massive stroke on Oct 2, 1919.
GP Putnam, Amelia Earhart’s husband, was known as Mister Earhart, and the aviator had an open marriage. Earhart requested they “not interfere with the others’ work or play.” (p 58) Daphne Beal daphnebeal.com
Yakima Canutt, John Wayne’s stuntman, was born out West, the son of a rancher. He taught Duke (who grew up in Iowa, the son of a pharmacist’s assistant) how to ride a horse like a cowboy and fall off it like a rodeo star. (p 74) Joseph Ringenberg jringenberg.com
Carlo, Emily Dickinson’s dog, was a Newfoundland (a heavy shedder). (p 76) Sara Levine sara-levine.com
Jack Sendak, Maurice Sendak’s brother. To protect him from bed bugs, Jack used to tell Maurice: Lie on top of me. Clamp your teeth on my nose.” so Maurice wouldn’t fall off. (p 78) Abigail Cohen
After an appalling winter, alternating with blizzards, 90 mph gusts, rogue waves, and surviving on penguin, limpets, seal and seaweed… Famous words of Frank Wild, Ernest Shackleton’s right-hand man, when Shackleton returned to Elephant Island after 4 months away. Shackleton called out to Wild, “Are you all well?” Wild answered coolly, “We are all well, boss.”
Washington Roebling’s spouse, Emily Warren Roebling, supervised one of the greatest achievements in civil engineering of her day: the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. When the bridge opened on May 24, 1883, Emily was given the honor of being the first to cross it, riding in a carriage from Brooklyn to Manhattan, carrying a rooster as a sign of victory. Congressman Abram S Hewitt said: “The name of Mrs. Emily Warren Roebling will thus be inseparably associated with all that is admirable in human nature.” (p 82) Regan McMahon commonsensemedia.org
Elvis Presley’s mother, Gladys Love Presley - gave her son his first guitar for his 11th birthday even though Elvis had preferred a bicycle. In 1958 when Elvis was drafted into the army and transferred to Germany, Gladys’ gloom and despondency increased -- as did her drinking. On Aug 14, 1958, she died of a heart attack. Elvis would say of that day, “I lost the only person I ever loved.” Elvis died Aug 16, 1977, at age 42 years, from an OD of meds while on the toilet in his Graceland mansion -- the same day he had buried his beloved mother 19 years earlier and inconsolably wept, “Oh, God, everything I have is gone.” (p 88) Mars Van Grunsven marsvangrunsven.com
In addition to Charles Darwin, another naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, was near to publishing his findings on evolution. Two weeks before the death of Darwin’s son, Wallace had written Darwin for help in publishing his ideas. Darwin acknowledged to his colleague Joseph Dalton (JD) Hooker the need to move forward in his second letter. With the help of geologist Charles Lyell, Hooker ensured that when Wallace’s work on evolution was presented on July 1, 1858, Darwin received credit for originating the theories. (p 94) Colin Milroy thefactorytheater.com
Alexander Ulyanov, Vladimir (Lenin)’s brother, was executed for participation in a terrorist plot to assassinate the czar, and was sentenced to be hanged. All friends and neighbors turned away from the family. Even an old teach friend, who, for decades, had spent his evenings at the Ulyanov’s playing chess, stopped coming. The mother, in fever from shock and fear, traveled to St. Petersburg to ask the czar for mercy. Alexander refused to sign the petition to spare his life. (p 96) Nina Wieda middlebury.edu/academics/cmlt/faculty...
After a brutal childhood, Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller’s teacher, graduated from Boston’s Perkins Institution for the Blind as valedictorian in 1886. She was nearly blind by age 7 due to an untreated case of trachoma. She met 6-year-old Helen Keller when Sullivan was just 21 years old. They remained friends until the day she died, 49 years later -- with Helen holding her hand. (p 104) Regan McMahon commonsensemedia.org
Lulu Peyraud, Alice Waters’ mentor, was an elderly woman on a small family farm near the port town of Bandol, in Southern France. Alice spent a year traveling in France, and became friends with Richard Olney, an American authority on French cuisine, who introduced Alice to Lulu. Lulu and her spouse, Lucien, owned and managed Domaine Tempier, a vineyard that had been in Lulu’s family since 1834. Lulu, too, had a knack for feeding people. She cooked simple food grown on the farm or fished from the Mediterranean, where she swam each day. Alice soaked in how powerful simple food, connected to a place, can be. It changed her. From Lulu, Alice learned about hospitality, simplicity, and that there is always room at the table for one more. Alice said, “Now Lulu is guiding me into an old age practice. I’m learning from her smile, her ease of being with anyone. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are all around her, not because they feel obliged, but because they want to be close to her. I aspire to grow old that way.” (p 124) Josh Viertel
Louis Karnofsky, Louis Armstrong’s benefactor. Louis, a New Orlean coal merchant, provided Armstrong with his first horn. The Karnofsky Project is a nonprofit group that gathers donated band instruments and distributes them to children in need. (p 128) Eric R Danton ericdanton.com
Rosalind Franklin was Francis Crick and James D Watson’s peer. With her superior expertise in X-ray crystallography, Watson needed her DNA photo to make his discovery. Her work was intricately entwined in the discovery of the structure of DNA. She took 100 hour-long exposures of DNA, producing X-ray photos of unparalleled clarity. Rosalind discovered that DNA had 2 forms: an A form and a B form. It was her photo of the B form that allowed Watson and Crick to prove that DNA is in the shape of a helix. She pursued her research within a strained work environment at King’s College and endured ongoing friction with her colleague, Maurice Wilkins, who also used X-rays to study DNA, and he showed her X-ray photo to Watson (and shared the Nobel Prize with him). (p 138) Kristi Thom kristithom.com
Greatness is the intersection of a Solid mentor + Uncompromising colleague + Dumb luck + Generous, whip-smart spouse.
The 18-year-old Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) wore on his Olympic jacket and gold medal on his return flight from; what did he strap to his back on the flight to the Olympics in Rome? a self-purchased parachute strapped to his back (p 12)
Daniel Kugler - Torevealourbackstreets.tumblr.com
Although contrary to popular myth, George Washington’s dentures were never made of wood, what were they made of? lead, gold, hippopotamus tusk, and real teeth (cow, horse and even human) (p 14) John Libre
In their first meeting in 1923, legend has it Véra Nabokov wore this on a bridge in Berlin and recited Vladimir’s own poetry to him: black satin mask (p 16 ) Lauren Acampora
John Ordway, Lewis and Clark’s colleague did this every day on the Corps of Discovery Expedition to the Pacific coast: kept a daily log from start to finish (p 18) Jay Scaher jaysacher.com
Andy Warhol’s mother, Julia, gave Andy a bowl of Campbell’s soup every day for lunch in grammar school (p 20) John Niekras JohnNiekrasz.wordpress.com
Ian Stewart, Rolling Stones’ sixth member was sacked by his friends although he helped shape the group’s lineup and remained a confidant of the group because of his looks - He looks like a coal miner, said Andrew Long Oldham, their manager
The other invention of Thomas A Watson, Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant, was the call bell (p 26) Jessica Lamb-Shapiro jessicalambshapiro.com
Roald Dahl’s mother, Sofie Magdalene (Hesselberg) Dahl, would entertain him and his sibs with stories about Norwegian trolls and mythical creatures in the forests (p 28) Jackie Leavitt jackie-leavitt.com
Coco Chanel’s lover, Captain Arthur Edward “Boy” Capel, was always known as “Boy” (p 30) Lauren Viera laruenviera.com
The black dress popularized by Coco Chanel was prompted by the mourning following her lover’s death
Coco Chanel’s favorite number, for good luck, was #5 :) bottle of Chanel No. 5
The beveled, rectangular shape for Coco Chanel’s No. 5 was based on Capel’s whiskey decanter/toiletry bottles
Alan Turing’s friend, Christopher Morcom, died of bovine TB (p 32) Nas Hedron nassauhedron.com
Alma Reville, Alfred Hitchcock’s wife, noticed Janet Leigh swallowing when she was supposed to be dead in the shower scene of Psycho, leading to an invaluable fix in the editing room. (p 36) JM Tyree nereview.com/j-m-tyree
Brownie Wise, Early Tupper’s partner, built Tupperware and was the face of the company (p 38) Joshua Wolf Shenk shenk.net
Marilyn Monroe’s photographer, Sam Shaw, took the photo on Lexington Ave with her standing over a breeze from the subway grate below. Monroe turned to her friend, whose nickname was based on Humphrey Bogart’s character in The Maltese Falcon: “Hi, Sam Spade” she said, and Shaw captured Monroe’s image. (p 52) Melissa Stevens shawfamilyarchives.com
Woodrow Wilson’s wife, Edith Bolling Wilson, took charge after the President suffered a massive stroke on Oct 2, 1919.
GP Putnam, Amelia Earhart’s husband, was known as Mister Earhart, and the aviator had an open marriage. Earhart requested they “not interfere with the others’ work or play.” (p 58) Daphne Beal daphnebeal.com
Yakima Canutt, John Wayne’s stuntman, was born out West, the son of a rancher. He taught Duke (who grew up in Iowa, the son of a pharmacist’s assistant) how to ride a horse like a cowboy and fall off it like a rodeo star. (p 74) Joseph Ringenberg jringenberg.com
Carlo, Emily Dickinson’s dog, was a Newfoundland (a heavy shedder). (p 76) Sara Levine sara-levine.com
Jack Sendak, Maurice Sendak’s brother. To protect him from bed bugs, Jack used to tell Maurice: Lie on top of me. Clamp your teeth on my nose.” so Maurice wouldn’t fall off. (p 78) Abigail Cohen
After an appalling winter, alternating with blizzards, 90 mph gusts, rogue waves, and surviving on penguin, limpets, seal and seaweed… Famous words of Frank Wild, Ernest Shackleton’s right-hand man, when Shackleton returned to Elephant Island after 4 months away. Shackleton called out to Wild, “Are you all well?” Wild answered coolly, “We are all well, boss.”
Washington Roebling’s spouse, Emily Warren Roebling, supervised one of the greatest achievements in civil engineering of her day: the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. When the bridge opened on May 24, 1883, Emily was given the honor of being the first to cross it, riding in a carriage from Brooklyn to Manhattan, carrying a rooster as a sign of victory. Congressman Abram S Hewitt said: “The name of Mrs. Emily Warren Roebling will thus be inseparably associated with all that is admirable in human nature.” (p 82) Regan McMahon commonsensemedia.org
Elvis Presley’s mother, Gladys Love Presley - gave her son his first guitar for his 11th birthday even though Elvis had preferred a bicycle. In 1958 when Elvis was drafted into the army and transferred to Germany, Gladys’ gloom and despondency increased -- as did her drinking. On Aug 14, 1958, she died of a heart attack. Elvis would say of that day, “I lost the only person I ever loved.” Elvis died Aug 16, 1977, at age 42 years, from an OD of meds while on the toilet in his Graceland mansion -- the same day he had buried his beloved mother 19 years earlier and inconsolably wept, “Oh, God, everything I have is gone.” (p 88) Mars Van Grunsven marsvangrunsven.com
In addition to Charles Darwin, another naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, was near to publishing his findings on evolution. Two weeks before the death of Darwin’s son, Wallace had written Darwin for help in publishing his ideas. Darwin acknowledged to his colleague Joseph Dalton (JD) Hooker the need to move forward in his second letter. With the help of geologist Charles Lyell, Hooker ensured that when Wallace’s work on evolution was presented on July 1, 1858, Darwin received credit for originating the theories. (p 94) Colin Milroy thefactorytheater.com
Alexander Ulyanov, Vladimir (Lenin)’s brother, was executed for participation in a terrorist plot to assassinate the czar, and was sentenced to be hanged. All friends and neighbors turned away from the family. Even an old teach friend, who, for decades, had spent his evenings at the Ulyanov’s playing chess, stopped coming. The mother, in fever from shock and fear, traveled to St. Petersburg to ask the czar for mercy. Alexander refused to sign the petition to spare his life. (p 96) Nina Wieda middlebury.edu/academics/cmlt/faculty...
After a brutal childhood, Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller’s teacher, graduated from Boston’s Perkins Institution for the Blind as valedictorian in 1886. She was nearly blind by age 7 due to an untreated case of trachoma. She met 6-year-old Helen Keller when Sullivan was just 21 years old. They remained friends until the day she died, 49 years later -- with Helen holding her hand. (p 104) Regan McMahon commonsensemedia.org
Lulu Peyraud, Alice Waters’ mentor, was an elderly woman on a small family farm near the port town of Bandol, in Southern France. Alice spent a year traveling in France, and became friends with Richard Olney, an American authority on French cuisine, who introduced Alice to Lulu. Lulu and her spouse, Lucien, owned and managed Domaine Tempier, a vineyard that had been in Lulu’s family since 1834. Lulu, too, had a knack for feeding people. She cooked simple food grown on the farm or fished from the Mediterranean, where she swam each day. Alice soaked in how powerful simple food, connected to a place, can be. It changed her. From Lulu, Alice learned about hospitality, simplicity, and that there is always room at the table for one more. Alice said, “Now Lulu is guiding me into an old age practice. I’m learning from her smile, her ease of being with anyone. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are all around her, not because they feel obliged, but because they want to be close to her. I aspire to grow old that way.” (p 124) Josh Viertel
Louis Karnofsky, Louis Armstrong’s benefactor. Louis, a New Orlean coal merchant, provided Armstrong with his first horn. The Karnofsky Project is a nonprofit group that gathers donated band instruments and distributes them to children in need. (p 128) Eric R Danton ericdanton.com
Rosalind Franklin was Francis Crick and James D Watson’s peer. With her superior expertise in X-ray crystallography, Watson needed her DNA photo to make his discovery. Her work was intricately entwined in the discovery of the structure of DNA. She took 100 hour-long exposures of DNA, producing X-ray photos of unparalleled clarity. Rosalind discovered that DNA had 2 forms: an A form and a B form. It was her photo of the B form that allowed Watson and Crick to prove that DNA is in the shape of a helix. She pursued her research within a strained work environment at King’s College and endured ongoing friction with her colleague, Maurice Wilkins, who also used X-rays to study DNA, and he showed her X-ray photo to Watson (and shared the Nobel Prize with him). (p 138) Kristi Thom kristithom.com
July 28, 2017
Great, short bios of famous peoples helpers, wives, friends, and teachers. Illustrated handsomely and chock full of great stories. From Emily Dickinson's dog to John Wayne's stuntman, this tells the stories of the people who made it possible for some of our most famous writers, politicians, and scientists to do what they do.
August 6, 2021
I really love the illustrations and the short story that comes in every page. Beautifully illustrated and interestingly written. It’s really suitable for kids to read and I usually have them around just to read this book and enjoy the illustrations together.
June 23, 2015
Potential. Who inspires us to become the best version of ourselves? Who is the partner whose accomplishments catapulted an inventor to greater achievements? Who was the steadfast sidekick who was supportive even in times of failure? Who was the muse for a renowned artist? Who was willing to push their spouse into the limelight while they remained unknown and unsung? Our impressive, celebrated heroes stood on the shoulders of giants.
The Who, the What, and the When examines the profound influence that partners, coaches, spouses, parents, mentors, teachers, peers, muses, rivals, assistants, and, yes, even pets can have on our lives. The editors of this book gather together 126 different writers and illustrators to shine a spotlight on 65 people BEHIND the famous and influential people throughout history. These aren't the sidekicks. These are the heroes.
Despite the frustratingly-tiny font used throughout this book, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the power of the human spirit and the positive affect that people have on one another. I must thank MY partner for buying this book for me - she knows my curiosity for the "story behind the story", she blesses me with our relationship, and she inspires me daily.
The Who, the What, and the When examines the profound influence that partners, coaches, spouses, parents, mentors, teachers, peers, muses, rivals, assistants, and, yes, even pets can have on our lives. The editors of this book gather together 126 different writers and illustrators to shine a spotlight on 65 people BEHIND the famous and influential people throughout history. These aren't the sidekicks. These are the heroes.
Despite the frustratingly-tiny font used throughout this book, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the power of the human spirit and the positive affect that people have on one another. I must thank MY partner for buying this book for me - she knows my curiosity for the "story behind the story", she blesses me with our relationship, and she inspires me daily.
February 1, 2017
I found this a really fascinating journey through the various sidekicks, assistants, spouses and various others who supported and inspired various historical figures. It shows how the path to human endeavour isn't simply achieved by single remarkable individuals, but rather as the result of collaborations and someone simply believing in a person enough to support them. Better yet, it made me wonder whether some of the people in my life will be the next person to make a big impact on the world.
The format was interesting in that it paired various writers and illustrators - a different pairing for each entry. This meant that there was a good variety of styles in the graphics, however with each entry description only a few hundred words of factual description with very little room for creativity or variation, it's difficult to really make a comment about the writers. It's great they have their own bios at the end and links to their websites, especially for the illustrators, however none of the authors really had a chance to shine to the point where I would probably seek them out.
The format was interesting in that it paired various writers and illustrators - a different pairing for each entry. This meant that there was a good variety of styles in the graphics, however with each entry description only a few hundred words of factual description with very little room for creativity or variation, it's difficult to really make a comment about the writers. It's great they have their own bios at the end and links to their websites, especially for the illustrators, however none of the authors really had a chance to shine to the point where I would probably seek them out.
November 14, 2014
These are the stories of the pedestal, rather than the statue; the people who allowed, encouraged, financed, inspired and promoted the names that you know today. Many of these biographies could fill a book on their own (and many have already), but here they are given one page and an artful representation of their lives, in relation to the big name. Most of the essays are complete and satisfying, others feel like they were at the mercy of an overzealous editor, feeling incomplete or prematurely over. And the last one feels like purely an act of self-promotion and does not fit with the theme and tone of the book in the least (and, being the final entry, lends to an overall feeling of displeasure with the book as a whole).
August 3, 2016
Mostly Meh
This wasn't all that interesting, and many of the people chosen felt like a stretch. Emily Dickinson's dog was even included! I'd skip this book, but it's not a total waste. The illustrations are what made me give this 3 stars rather than 2, and some of the stories and historical figures are well chosen. Overall though, I wasn't impressed.
This wasn't all that interesting, and many of the people chosen felt like a stretch. Emily Dickinson's dog was even included! I'd skip this book, but it's not a total waste. The illustrations are what made me give this 3 stars rather than 2, and some of the stories and historical figures are well chosen. Overall though, I wasn't impressed.
December 1, 2014
How good each of these pieces were really depended on the author about each sidekick. I enjoyed many of them, but the type was SO SMALL it was hard to read!
May 22, 2016
This book is super cool! More of a coffee table book than a read it through book, it has one page vignettes paired with awesome illustrations.
March 12, 2022
What a wonderful collection of history’s best side kicks! I truly enjoy getting to know these people’s stories and learning about the impact they left upon the world.
Some of the highlights for me are:
• Michael & Joy Brown - Harper Lee’s Patrons
• Alma Reville - Alfred Hitchcock’s Wife
• Edith Bolling Wilson - Woodrow Wilson’s Wife
• Lesley Riddle - The Carter Family’s Friend and Teacher
• Anna Dostoyevskaya - Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Wife
• Emily Warren Roebling - Washington Roebling’s Wife
• Marie Anne Lavoisier - Antoine Lavoisier’s Wife
• Alexander Ulyanov - Vladimir Lenin’s Brother
• Lavinia Warren Thumb - Tom Thumb’s Wife
• Horace Wells - William Morton’s Teacher and Partner
• Julius Rosenwald - Sears, Roebuck Business Partner
• Holger Geschwinder - Dirk Nowitzki’s Coach
• Louis Karnofsky - Louis Armstrong’s Benefactor
• Charlotte Small - David Thompson’s Wife
• John Maloof - Vivian Maier’s Discoverer
Some of the highlights for me are:
• Michael & Joy Brown - Harper Lee’s Patrons
• Alma Reville - Alfred Hitchcock’s Wife
• Edith Bolling Wilson - Woodrow Wilson’s Wife
• Lesley Riddle - The Carter Family’s Friend and Teacher
• Anna Dostoyevskaya - Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Wife
• Emily Warren Roebling - Washington Roebling’s Wife
• Marie Anne Lavoisier - Antoine Lavoisier’s Wife
• Alexander Ulyanov - Vladimir Lenin’s Brother
• Lavinia Warren Thumb - Tom Thumb’s Wife
• Horace Wells - William Morton’s Teacher and Partner
• Julius Rosenwald - Sears, Roebuck Business Partner
• Holger Geschwinder - Dirk Nowitzki’s Coach
• Louis Karnofsky - Louis Armstrong’s Benefactor
• Charlotte Small - David Thompson’s Wife
• John Maloof - Vivian Maier’s Discoverer
April 2, 2018
A book loosely bound together by the idea of "sidekicks" to illuminate emerging artists.
Because the book features a different writer for each entry, there is no coherent politics underneath the writing. At times, I feel unnecessarily sensitive to the way history is portrayed: sanitized and skewed in blatant disregard of the modern lens. The theme of "sidekicks" itself is problematic. Many stories fail to capture why the sidekick is important to the famous figure. Some are speculative in a cursory effort to create space for the adjacent art piece (which I appreciate more). Some get lost in explaining the famous figure and lose the purpose (partly because not all of these "famous figures" are household names).
I enjoy the illustrations otherwise. They, the main purpose of the book, save a star for this rating.
Because the book features a different writer for each entry, there is no coherent politics underneath the writing. At times, I feel unnecessarily sensitive to the way history is portrayed: sanitized and skewed in blatant disregard of the modern lens. The theme of "sidekicks" itself is problematic. Many stories fail to capture why the sidekick is important to the famous figure. Some are speculative in a cursory effort to create space for the adjacent art piece (which I appreciate more). Some get lost in explaining the famous figure and lose the purpose (partly because not all of these "famous figures" are household names).
I enjoy the illustrations otherwise. They, the main purpose of the book, save a star for this rating.
June 5, 2018
It was a good idea for a book and very good for short stories, but when reading the whole things it isn't as great. Many of the stories are interesting and inform you about secret sidekicks you've never heard of and how much of a role they played in the lives of famous people. Some of the stories are less interesting though and can seem to drag on. Reading the whole book it drags on very slowly and becomes less interesting due to there being to main character or plot to follow. I would recommend this to be read by picking out the ones that seem interesting to you, but reading them all can feel like a chore.
March 7, 2020
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
April 4, 2024
The premise and organization of this book is exciting and engaging. The execution falls a bit short in places but overall, these brief biographic introductions to many unsung heroes encourage the reader to explore deeper. The featured artwork is modern, illustrative, and highly interpretive; most works enhance and highlight the mystique of their subjects. Decidedly a worthwhile journey, this unique collection would fit well onto either a biography or an art collection shelf!
September 24, 2024
Rating pg profanity, lifestyles
Recommend: quick bios for the curious mind
The f bomb was unnecessary. I understand that it was a quote. It was still unnecessary.
And you know artists and authors and politics leaders… they live kind of risqué lives - here it is. Lots of lovers. But some solid relationships too. So interesting to read, I learned about people I knew a little about and people I had never heard of. Good stuff.
Recommend: quick bios for the curious mind
The f bomb was unnecessary. I understand that it was a quote. It was still unnecessary.
And you know artists and authors and politics leaders… they live kind of risqué lives - here it is. Lots of lovers. But some solid relationships too. So interesting to read, I learned about people I knew a little about and people I had never heard of. Good stuff.
September 27, 2019
This book took me nearly a year to complete and I'm ashamed for that.
The book wasn't terrible; it's just compilation of other people's unknown sidekicks with beautiful illiustrations drawn by talented people. It's just that the book never really expand beyond that, you get very little from it. Probably because of the amount of narratives included, but it could definitely be better.
The book wasn't terrible; it's just compilation of other people's unknown sidekicks with beautiful illiustrations drawn by talented people. It's just that the book never really expand beyond that, you get very little from it. Probably because of the amount of narratives included, but it could definitely be better.
January 8, 2021
We always fixate on the ‘main hero’ in history. In fact, they were just a normal human being just like us with to and fro of life. Yet somehow their path crossed with specific people and circumstances that shape them into someone the world aware of. This visual book is the story of those sidekicks. Wife, teachers, colleagues, and other unsung heroes.
September 25, 2018
Incredibly interesting and beautifully illustrated. Highly recommend.
December 24, 2018
worth to read because of i obtained more hidden facts and stories of unsung heroes
March 24, 2019
It's good to read alongside the creative illustrations.
August 12, 2019
Kyle Platts: kyleplatts.com/
August 22, 2019
A diverse range of subjects, which is always great. I learned something, I liked it, not a whole lot to say on this!
January 3, 2020
I love the concept and the idea from this book. It feels like we saw 'behind the scene'.
And the illustration...wow soooo beautiful.
And the illustration...wow soooo beautiful.
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