“For young readers: Remembering Sid Fleischman - Eagle-Tribune” plus 2 more |
- For young readers: Remembering Sid Fleischman - Eagle-Tribune
- David Starkey attacks female historians and 'pretty ... - Daily Mail
- Meet the candidates: Newport News - Daily Press
For young readers: Remembering Sid Fleischman - Eagle-Tribune Posted: 10 Apr 2010 09:32 PM PDT Newbery Medalist Sid Fleischman knew the secret of dealing with reluctant young readers: hook 'em with humor. Humor is the thread that runs through all of the dozens of children's books written by Fleischman, who died March 17, the day after his 90th birthday. In his picture books, biographies and novels — including his Newbery-winning book, "The Whipping Boy," Fleischman demonstrates his understanding that making kids laugh guaranteed they'd keep turning the pages. Growing up in San Diego, Fleischman didn't set out to be a children's writer — or any kind of writer. His first career was as a magician, a profession that had captivated him since childhood. He was a self-taught magician, learning magic tricks from books in the library. After serving in World War II, Fleischman began writing novels for adults in 1950, when the San Diego newspaper for which he was working went out of business. He wrote several screenplays before being inspired to write children's books by one of his three kids. As he later recalled, his daughter Jane came home one day from the library proudly bearing the autograph of children's author/illustrator Leo Politi. "'You know,' Mrs. Fleischman pointed out, 'Daddy writes books, too.' "'Yes,' Jane replied. 'But no one reads his books.'" Galvanized by Jane's comment, Fleischman decided to write a book just for his family. In "The Abracadabra Kid," Fleischman writes that "a title flashed across my mind and I typed it out. Mr. Mysterious & Company. ... I improvised an opening. ... I found the story and stumbled into the wondrous world of children's books." Fleischman was off and running in a new career. Over the years, he published a number of well-received books for kids, including a series of tall-tale picture books starring farmer Josh McBroom and novels like "Jim Ugly," "Chancy and the Rascal," "Bandit Moon" and, of course, the Newbery Medal-winning "The Whipping Boy." Fleischman also wrote biographies about Mark Twain and Harry Houdini; his biography of Charlie Chaplin is due out in April. — Scripps Howard News Service Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
David Starkey attacks female historians and 'pretty ... - Daily Mail Posted: 11 Apr 2010 05:17 AM PDT By Daily Mail Reporter Attack: Historian David Starkey has branded work by female historians as being like Mills & Boon Historian David Starkey has made an astonishing swipe at his female competitors by comparing their work to 'historical Mills & Boon'. Mr Starkey, who famously enjoys his status as the 'rudest man in Britain', said that most women who write history books are 'usually quite pretty' and keen to show off their looks on their book covers. And he said that most have names that 'usually begin and end with A'. He has made the attacks despite criticism that his documentaries are 'gossipy'. Mr Starkey, 65, was speaking in a television interview with broadcaster Laurie Taylor, but it is not the first time he has attacked 'feminised' history. He last year accused women of turning Tudor history into a 'bizarre soap opera' by focusing on Henry VIII's personal life rather than the political and religious conflict during his reign. But female historians have now hit back at the veteran presenter. Amanda Foreman, who wrote Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire - which was turned into a film starring Keira Knightley, said: 'There's something clearly wrong with a male historian whose name begins with a D and ends with a D.' 'He seems to be incredibly upset by women historians and probably feels under-appreciated.'
Names that 'usually begin and end with A': Lady Antonia Fraser and Professor Amanda Vickery hit back Lady Antonia Fraser, who has written numerous biographies of historical figures, was bemused by Mr Starkey's comments. 'Mills & Boon': Amanda Foreman, who wrote Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire, said Starkey seemed to be 'upset' She said he had been very complimentary about a young female historian and wrote a line for the cover of her book. 'Starkey called it "an impressive and powerful debut",' she said. 'The writer's name is Anna Whitelock and I think Anna happens to begin and end with an A.' Amanda Vickery, professor of history at Royal Holloway, University of London, told The Sunday Times that Mr Starkey was 'charming face to face'. The historian, who has written on Georgian England and made A History of Private Life for Radio 4, found the comment about 'pretty' women amusing. 'Who knew that David finds me attractive?' she said. 'Maybe he has a secret weakness for feminists?' In the interview Mr Starkey, who taught at Cambridge University, spoke about 'academic poverty' in Britain. He also opened up about his childhood and being born with a 'double club foot'. The historian, who is openly gay and has been with his partner for 15 years, was also dismissive of civil partnerships and said it was little short of a 'public pat on the back'. Share this article:Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
Meet the candidates: Newport News - Daily Press Posted: 11 Apr 2010 12:52 AM PDT Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
You are subscribed to email updates from Biographies - Bing News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 |
Perhaps it s sour grapes at not having secured a better place for himself in history and more than a touch of misogyny from Dr Starkey who has long been filled with his own pomposity and self importance, I find I cannot watch him for longer than two minutes , he always appears aggressive and on the attack no matter whom his focus of attention is turned to . Only Doctor Starkey appears to know anything about history and the making of it, whether it be ancient or more recent.
- David Wainwright, Hungerford UK, 11/4/2010 14:29
Report abuse