On This Day in Literary History

[Paul_Hochman]

May 8th, 1940

Peter Benchley, author and grandson of Algonquin wit, Robert Benchley, is born in New York City. Benchley makes a cameo in the film adapted from his most famous book, Jaws.

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PaulH wrote:

Yep. The Algonquin Round Table. Dorothy Parker and friends (or enemies).

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Vermontcozy wrote:
So ironic that you mention Thomas Pynchon..I have a 1st Edition of "Vineland" which I felt as I was trying to get into it,one needs mind altering sustances to read it and follow along..I would need to be a recluse,and spend time in the moutains to get through this book...any suggestions?  When you refer to Robert Benchley and the Algonquin wit are you referring to the Hotel Algonquin......and that bygone amazing era? Or am I not getting it?  Blog ..Caption..Could not believe the outcome of Caption the Cover..Made my day..Judges have very good taste(I am very Happy)Tks,  Vtc

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[Vermontcozy]

I remember going there once 1980,81..right before I graduated from College.with my Fordham Fiance soon to be my betterhalf..You are too young to remember those days,but I believe you are an old soul....we were upper westside types,and downtown soho ,just before it became so commercial  Spring St Bar..was the first upscale bar.The Mothers of Bn appreciate your Happy Mothers Day to all of the neurotic Moms out there..I am sure I am not alone..Have a good wked,V

[Paul_Hochman]

Everyone, if they have the opportunity, should have a drink in the Algonquin; if nothing else just to commune with the spirits. Same goes for the White Horse Tavern, McSorley's, and the Ear Inn.

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Vermontcozy wrote:
I remember going there once 1980,81..right before I graduated from College.with my Fordham Fiance soon to be my betterhalf..You are too young to remember those days,but I believe you are an old soul....we were upper westside types,and downtown soho ,just before it became so commercial  Spring St Bar..was the first upscale bar.The Mothers of Bn appreciate your Happy Mothers Day to all of the neurotic Moms out there..I am sure I am not alone..Have a good wked,V

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[Paul_Hochman]

May 9, 1860

J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, is born Kirriemuir, Scotland. Peter Llewelyn Davies, on who Pan was modeled, was tormented by what he called "that terrible masterpiece" and eventually took his own life.

May 9th, 1977

James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity, dies in Southampton, New York. Alice Denham, Playmate and literary groupie, described her amorous adventures with Jones in her memoir, Sleeping with Bad Boys.

[Vermontcozy]

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PaulH wrote:

May 9, 1860

J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, is born Kirriemuir, Scotland. Peter Llewelyn Davies, on who Pan was modeled, was tormented by what he called "that terrible masterpiece" and eventually took his own life.

May 9th, 1977

James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity, dies in Southampton, New York. Alice Denham, Playmate and literary groupie, described her amorous adventures with Jones in her memoir, Sleeping with Bad Boys.

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I guess I will Change the Name of my Memoir"Frolicking in The Rock and Roll World". From Here to Eternity was considered a Racy Novel..I would sneek a peek at my sisters copy.Vtc

[Paul_Hochman]

May 10th, 1990

Walker Percy, author of The Moviegoer, dies in Covington, Louisiana. It was Percy's influence that finally brought about the publication of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces more than a decade after Toole's death.

May 10th, 1999

Shel Silverstein, author the Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, is found dead in Key West, Florida. Silverstein was also an accomplished songwriter penning "A Boy Named Sue", "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", and the tongue-in-cheek classic, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most".

[Vermontcozy]

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PaulH wrote:

May 10th, 1990

Walker Percy, author of The Moviegoer, dies in Covington, Louisiana. It was Percy's influence that finally brought about the publication of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces more than a decade after Toole's death.

May 10th, 1999

Shel Silverstein, author the Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, is found dead in Key West, Florida. Silverstein was also an accomplished songwriter penning "A Boy Named Sue", "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", and the tongue-in-cheek classic, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most".

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Thank you for the Shel Silverstein info. "Giving Tree" was published in Hebrew,and when my daughter started  her religion classes at age 6,the students actually were taught Hebrew in part by reading the book.She had in it English,so what a surprise it was for her to read it in Hebrew.I hope he is still being read,his messages are timeless.I still have the book in my bookcase. Tks..Vtc

[Paul_Hochman]

May 11th, 1981

Bob Marley, Reggae superstar, dies in Miami Florida. Timothy White's Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley has been hailed as “Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician.”

Please Note: Bob's son, Ziggy, joins us in Tagged! the week of June 1st to discuss his latest album, Family Time.

May 11th, 2001

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, dies in Montecito, California. Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl series, is working on the sixth installment of the Hitchhiker's Guide.

Message Edited by PaulH on 05-11-2009 01:47 PM

[Vermontcozy]

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PaulH wrote:

May 11th, 1981

Bob Marley, Reggae superstar, dies in Miami Florida. Timothy White's Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley has been hailed as “Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician.”

Please Note: Bob's son, Ziggy, joins us in Tagged! the week of June 1st to discuss his latest album, Family Time.

May 11th, 2001

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, dies in Montecito, California. Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl series, is working on the sixth installment of the Hitchhiker's Guide.

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One would never think of Vt. as a Reggae obsessed state..but we are..Stowe resort has reggae festivals,Stratton Mt used to,and the 'Red Fox Inn.as well..Vt is diversity hungrey,a good thing..A few years ago when I was working at j.crew, a whole band of reggae artists walked in to shop..Dredlocks and all..it was great..Being a fan of Bob and Ziggy Marley(as well as my Daughter(24) and my Nephew(25),hes a Potter,and when you walk into his studio ,one thinks that you arrived in Jamaica...Paul,How can I use tagged? Thanks  for your diverse thread..I never know what you will post..Vtc Just so you know Vt is still living in the 60's,some of the 70's and 80's..we are catching up..but we like it that way..its a cultural thing ,and comforting.... 

Message Edited by PaulH on 05-11-2009 01:48 PM

[TiggerBear]

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PaulH wrote:

May 11th, 2001

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, dies in Montecito, California. Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl series, is working on the sixth installment of the Hitchhiker's Guide.

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A sad day.

But I'm really not sure that the second is good news.