Author Archives: 9siduri

Review of “The Frontiersman: The Real Life and Many Legends of Davy Crockett” by Mark Derr

The Stuff: This is a non-sensationalized biography of early American Davy Crockett (1786-1836), frontiersman and congressman, written by a distant relative. Author Mark Derr seeks to wade through the many myths and find the person behind the stories. He adopts a more-or-less neutral tone, neither excoriating nor lionizing the book’s subject. He openly admits, forContinue reading “Review of “The Frontiersman: The Real Life and Many Legends of Davy Crockett” by Mark Derr”

Review of “Pale Rider” (1985)

This was a departure from our usual Saturday pizza and bad movie fare, a Western with some supernatural flavor. Not to give too much away, but the bad guys got their comeuppance in spades. Or lead. Plot:In the beginning (not the last biblical reference to come), two things are happening. First, a group of menContinue reading “Review of “Pale Rider” (1985)”

Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton

The Stuff: The author wishes to portray Roman culture and character based on the writings of Roman poets and playwrights. Despite her awareness that this strategy leaves out vast swaths of the Roman world, including women, slaves, artisans, and the disadvantaged, she confines her study to the lettered, leisured male. Proceeding roughly chronologically, she beginsContinue reading “Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton”

Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)

This was an enjoyable Saturday night pizza and bad movie flick for more reasons than no ghoulies popped out of a toilet. It was an old-fashioned haunted house story about the ghosts of those who have taken the lifetime squabbles beyond the grave and aren’t too concerned about who gets hurt. Plot:While on vacation onContinue reading “Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)”

Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee

The Stuff: This is a memoir/autobiography by American journalist Linda Ellerbee, covering her years in television up till the mid-80s. She describes her times as a Washington correspondent for NBC and an anchor on a late-news magazine program called Overnight, among other things. She discusses little of her private life but focuses on the professional.Continue reading “Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee”

Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views”

It happens seldom enough that I have to brag about it. An on-line magazine called Quail Bell published a flash fiction piece of mine titled “Fae: Three Views.” It begins: “She had a duty to warn—to let the family know. And sure, old Patrick was failing. His passing could be no surprise, yet, she hadContinue reading “Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views””

Review of “Ghoulies II” (1987)

We’re still on delayed viewing with Svengoolie because of our bout of Covid. I’m enjoying it—the delayed viewing. Covid was wretched. We zip through commercials and get to choose an earlier start time, which leads, of course, to an earlier bedtime. There is indeed a silver lining to every cloud. And then there’s this movie…Continue reading “Review of “Ghoulies II” (1987)”

Review of “Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter”

The Stuff:This is a biography of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer who was wrongfully convicted along with his friend, John Artis, of a 1966 triple homicide in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey. Carter and Artis were convicted twice and finally exonerated in 1985 in a federal court. The book follows not only his legalContinue reading “Review of “Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter””

Review of “Ghoulies” 1984

We’re still watching these a week behind schedule, catching up from our Covid sleep-in. It’s nice to watch these on delayed viewing, fast-forward through the commercials, and go to bed early. I don’t know if it’s the summer heat, the Covid hangover, native laziness, or a combination of the three, but staying awake is harderContinue reading “Review of “Ghoulies” 1984″