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  William Powell and Myrna Loy:...

  Editors Charles River

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  It is something of a cliché to say that an actor’s life was like a movie he or she might have starred in, but in the case of Myrna Loy, the cliché is true. It is easy to picture her as a little girl, riding the range with her rancher father, sitting around the table and participating charmingly in family discussions of current events. It is not hard to imagine the camera panning to her first and then second visits to Hollywood, her backlot tour, and starry-eyed decision to become an actress. There would have to be some drama, which the story of her father’s untimely death would provide, along with some sort of deathbed promise made to him to care for the rest of the family. Her mother would be brave but resolute as she moved her young family to California. The lighting on set would brighten and the tempo of the background would pick up as she walked down the Los Angeles streets. Then, her big break would come. The camera would show her first comical meeting with William Powell and then a spinning scene of ticket after ticket being sold to their new picture, The Thin Man.  
  While older silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton reached the peak of Hollywood, some actors born near the beginning of the 20th century were ready to capitalize. Though actors like Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant remain household names, and actresses like Greta Garbo are still widely remembered, few had careers that enjoyed the success of William Powell. In a career spanning several decades, Powell would receive three Oscar nominations for Best Actor for critically acclaimed movies, so it is somewhat ironic that he is mostly remembered today for his association with the more famous Myrna Loy. One thing that helped Powell’s career along in the old days when Hollywood would only cast white actors in major roles, no matter what the nationality of the character was supposed to be, were his dark good looks.

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  Saint Thomas and the Forbidden...

  James Matthew Wilson

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  In James Matthew Wilson’s fourth full-length collection of poems, the writer joins the great saint and theologian Thomas Aquinas to pause before “the thought of earthly sorrows” and to pray for “such a world that had so much to say.”  These poems stand in wonder before the tumult and beauty of created things and the capacity of the soul to rise above it. We move from encounters with the world as revelation, mystery, and promise, to great scenes of sin and fracture such as the bombing of Dresden, the execution of the Roman philosopher Cicero, and scandals in the Church. The volume begins with the prospects for an unborn child soon to enter our stormy world and concludes with a “Farewell” to the place, home, and setting of many of these poems. Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds is a story and pilgrimage through the troubles of our age and beyond them to the reason for our hope, “for all things turn about the love of God.”

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  Top 10 Short Stories The - The...

  Mark Twain, O Henry, Alice...

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  Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart.  A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. 
   
  In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?  
   
  The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme.  Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature. 
   
  Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made.  If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something. 
   
  ‘The Old South’ is usually seen as an alluring, almost mysterious mythological land that the rest of America could never be.  Side by side poverty and the genteel well-to-do have lived, on one side disparaging, on the other envious.  Literary talents here are everywhere, detailing and witnessing for generations to come the inequality and iniquity that fuel much of its famed literature. 
   
  1 - The Top 10 - US Authors of the South - An Introduction 
  2 - The Million Pound Bank Note by Mark Twain 
  3 - The Caballero's Way by O Henry 
  4 - On the Gull's Road by Willa Cather 
  5 - The Stones of the Village by Alice Dunbar Nelson 
  6 - A Cullenden of Virginia by Thomas Wolfe 
  7 - The Octoroon's Revenge by Ruth D Todd 
  8 - The City of Refuge by Rudolph Fisher 
  9 - The Difference by Ellen Glasgow 
  10 - Skulls in the Stars by Robert E Howard 
  11 - The Strange Looking Man by Fanny Kemble Johnson

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  Pythagoras - The Philosopher of...

  Hector Davidson

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  Pythagoras of Samos, one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in the history of philosophy and mathematics, is a person whose legacy continues to shape various disciplines. Born around 570 BCE on the Greek island of Samos, Pythagoras became famous not only for his contributions to mathematics but also for his unique approach to life, religion, and the natural world. His teachings, although shrouded in mystery due to the scarcity of historical records, have left an indelible mark on Western thought, especially in the realms of mathematics, music, ethics, and cosmology. 
  As a philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras is perhaps best known for the Pythagorean Theorem, a fundamental principle in geometry that has influenced the study of mathematics for over two millennia. However, his impact extends far beyond the confines of geometry. Pythagoras is often credited with transforming numbers from mere tools of calculation into a system that mirrors the structure and harmony of the universe. For him, numbers were not just abstract symbols but the very essence of reality, governing everything from the motions of the stars to the patterns in music. His belief in the mystical and metaphysical significance of numbers laid the groundwork for later developments in philosophy, particularly the idea that the world is not a chaotic, random place but a cosmos governed by rational and harmonious principles. 
  Pythagoras also founded a community known as the Pythagorean Brotherhood, a school that combined elements of philosophy, religion, and science. This group not only explored intellectual pursuits but also engaged in practices aimed at moral and spiritual purification. Through this community, Pythagoras introduced the idea of the soul’s immortality and its journey of reincarnation, concepts that would influence the course of Greek philosophy and eventually early Christian thought.

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  Socrates - Socrates Philosophy...

  Hector Davidson

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  Socrates stands as one of the most influential figures in the history of philosophy, a thinker whose ideas and methods continue to shape intellectual inquiry. Born in Athens around 469 BCE, he never wrote a single philosophical text, yet his impact endures through the works of his students, particularly Plato. His approach to philosophy was rooted in dialogue, questioning, and an unwavering commitment to seeking truth. Unlike the Sophists of his time, who often prioritized rhetorical skill and persuasion, Socrates believed that wisdom was not about appearing knowledgeable but about recognizing one’s own ignorance. His method of relentless questioning, now known as the Socratic Method, remains a cornerstone of critical thinking and philosophical discourse. 
  Socrates lived during a period of great political and social upheaval in Athens. The city had emerged from the Peloponnesian War weakened and uncertain about its future. In this context, Socrates became both an admired and controversial figure. His insistence on questioning authority and challenging conventional beliefs made him a target for those who saw his influence as destabilizing. He did not align himself with any particular political faction but instead sought to examine the moral and ethical foundations of society. His discussions often exposed the contradictions in the reasoning of politicians, poets, and fellow citizens, leading many to view him as a disruptive force. 
  His trial in 399 BCE remains one of the most significant moments in philosophical history. Accused of corrupting the youth and impiety, Socrates defended himself in a manner that was both defiant and deeply philosophical. In The Apology, Plato’s account of the trial, Socrates argues that he was fulfilling a divine mission by encouraging people to think critically and examine their lives.

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  The Lad Called Rate

  Donna Gene Stankey, Ramona Hammel

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  As a young lad, Rate realized how content he was living on a farm. Why there were intriguing places to explore, several animals to tend to and chores to be done. His favorite animals were: Mikey, the driving horse and Grip, the family dog. His chores consisted of: churning butter, hauling kindling for the woodstove, turning the crank on the wringer washer and going to the corner, to fetch the mail. He knew it was only a matter of time till his pa would let him drive the buggy or a team of horses for field work by himself. This was much more appealing to him than allthose "wimmen chores" as he called them. However, one thing Rate never understood, was the reason why his folks and grandparents favored his sister, Blanche, over him. Guessed they mostly didn't care for boys. 'Peared to him to be the "Setterington way", whether he liked it or not. The characters' origins are constituted well in conversation, wherein inflections are present and included authentically. With candor andfirm precision, the Southern turns of phrases and slang result in additional background. Occasions of dithering and heavy pauses further enhance the dialogue, as when Milly constantly pauses as his wife shares her fazed view of their son's antics.

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