Liz Viall
Instructor
Dept. of Journalism
BB2544
217.581.7117
Eastern Illinois University
Contact information:
ekviall@eiu.edu
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Liz Viall Eastern Illinois University Contact information: |
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Volume 1, No. 3 |
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The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin H.W. Brands |
Lovelock Orson Scott Card and Kathryn H. Kidd
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The Yankee Report Website/Blog |
| H.W. Brands offers up a comprehensive look at Benjamin Franklin. “The First American” chronicles Franklin’s life over 60 years, but mostly focuses on the struggle he endures as he comes to the realization that the Colonies must part from Great Britain. Brands notes that Franklin becomes the “first American” during a session before Parliament. During that session, Parliament castigates Franklin for the Colonies actions and their lack of gratitude. Brands also concentrates on Franklin’s Deist beliefs. Trivia fodder includes Franklin’s electricity experiments on turkeys. | The worst thing about this book is the title – “Lovelock, the Mayflower Trilogy, Book 1.” Well, I’ll tell you right up front – there is no trilogy. Orson Scott Card and Kathryn H. Kidd only wrote the first book. So, forget about sequels. “Lovelock” is about a monkey who has been genetically altered to “record” an important life by being a “witness.” That important life belongs to Carol Jeanne, a scientist. Carol Jeanne and family become colonists, while Lovelock becomes unhappy with his servitude and strives to break free. | Kate Rowan is a former student of mine who now lives and teaches in China. She is a graduate of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The Yankee Report features conversation about China, being American in China, politics, and philosophy or just about anything. |
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"He thought that every windmill was a giant. That's insane. But, thinking that they might be... Well, all the best minds used to think the world was flat. But, what if it isn't? It might be round. And bread mold might be medicine. If we never looked at things and thought of what they might be, why, we'd all still be out there in the tall grass with the apes." -George C. Scott, They Might Be Giants, 1971. |
Alias Grace Margaret Atwood |
They Might be Giants
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Earlier Issues of "Expand Your Mind" |
I read this book under protest when my friend Sarah recommended (and promised she would read one of my favorites in return). Atwood writes about a 16-year-old Canadian housemaid (Grace Marks) who ends up involved in an 1843 murder and is incarcerated in prisons and asylums. How could this be interesting? I underestimated Atwood (who also wrote “A Handmaid’s Tale). You get caught up in Grace’s life and her retelling of the story. Did she do it?
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A 1971 movie now out on DVD. George C. Scott plays a retired judge who believes he’s Sherlock Holmes. Joanne Woodward is his Dr. Watson, a psychiatrist who is hired by his brother to prove him incompetent. But Watson finds out there’s more to the story. This movie is romance, mystery, comedy and whimsy. |
Volume 1, No. 1 Volume 1, No. 2 Volume 1, No. 3 Volume 2, No. 1 Volume 2, No. 2 Volume 2, No. 3 Volume 3, No. 1 Volume 3, No. 2 Volume 3, No. 3
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