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Molly Ivins on Texas politics

Best find so far: "Farewell, My Lovely Appetizer" by S.J. Perelman. Superb.

Taught as a conversation between a French woman and an American man-- flirty and fun, but tackles not only phrases and vocabulary, but also grammar and most interestingly-- cultural aspects of modern life.

Audio book

Audio book

"Tom...was born in fury and lived in lightning. Tom came headlong into life. He was a giant in joy and enthusiasms. He didn't discover the world and its people, he created them. When he read his father's books, he was the first. He lived in a world as shining and fresh and as unexpected as Eden on the sixth day."

Camilla, warrior-woman favored by Diana. Pgs 352-356 include the description of her upbringing and her part in the war against the Trojans. Stunning imagery and startling strong feminine presence for ancient literature.

Started reading this to Shaelynn today.

Halfway through-- listening to the audio book with original recordings of poets and Pearl London. So often, it seems that people themselves are the gems, everything they put into their work, each small handful of hard-won earth the origin of real victory over pain and insignificance.

There are a few real gems in here which are a perfect complement to a reading of Beowulf. The riddles and the maxims are especially interesting as cultural footnotes for some of the questions which arise encountering the mix of mythic and early Christian elements to the epic poem. Recommended: The Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, the Seafarer, The Wife's Lament, Deor, among others.

Reading about your own home from the voices of others who know the same experiences, same boredoms and beauties, same skyscapes and wild color,, but you don't know them-- it's a little like a eavesdropping at a big church gathering. Everybody's knows what you're talking about and there's no need for introductions.

Linguistics, art movements, psychology, etc. 1890s to the beginning of the 20C.

The battle scenes in book IX are some of the most gruesome and ruthless I have read. Ancient warfare must have required hearts of iron from men.

Aeneas just received the shield forged by Vulcan (his step-dad?), requested by his mother, Venus. The shield bears the images of the future events of Roman history, which Aeneas cannot comprehend, but wonders at.

Discussion of Shakespeare in light of 19th century European Romanticism was illuminating.

Just finished the discussion of Continental and British Romanticism.

Recently finished the discussion of the court of Louis XIV, the sun king, and how he used his image and his favors to direct the course of social influence.

Finished the cross-sections of Spain and Venice during the 17C. Surprised by his comments on the Germanies after the Thirty-Years'-War: "the seemed...dull, patient, defenseless drudges, their heads full of fanciful dreams and murky philosophy, and their art, language, and manners backwards and coarse." (178)

Just finished the section on Montaigne, Rabelais and Shakespeare. Left me with the thought that the evaluation of art in letters is a continual project. Each age celebrates its favorite authors for its own reasons.

Just finished an excellent chapter on Renaissance artists and a few examples of talented women of the sixteenth century.

Best scenes yet: the ship races, the archery contests and the old boxer who defeats the young man.