A Tortured Chronicle: Severn Documents Keats’s Last Days

As JOHN KEATS lay dying in 1821, he only companion was JOSEPH SEVERN, who in letters to the Keats circle chronicled the consumptive poet's torturous final days.
by David McGee
 

 
 

From the Desk of Intern Susan:

The story of JEMMY BUTTON, one of the oddest true tales of the 19th century, is the subject of a new children's book. Co-illustrator JENNIFER UMAN discusses the work.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Letter to a Friend

In 1868, JOHN MUIR, then a University of Wisconsin student, wrote to his 'spiritual mother' to tell her of his recent travels and his growing devotion to a joyous and reverent communion with Nature.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Warmth of Arctic Saxophone

Haunting and beautiful, ARCTIC SAXOPHONE, by Norway's Ola Asdahl Rokkones, is an unforgettable experience.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Visit with Matthew Cordell to Talk About What is Still My Favorite Picture Book of the Year

An interview with Matthew Cordell, author/illustrator of our kids' lit blogger Jules's favorite book of the year, hello! hello!
by David McGee
 

 
 

Waterloo & Trafalgar: A Thought Provoking Story of War and Peace

An advance look at Olivier Tallec's new book, Waterloo & Trafalgar, 'a story told in only blue, orange and black,' another masterful example of the author's exceptional skills with visual storytelling.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Passionate Style

Italian composer, gambist, and singer Claudio Giovanni Monteverdi is often regarded as revolutionary in that his work marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two ind...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Music of Nature

Writing in 1878, author JAMES M. TROTTER, in his essay 'The Music of Nature,' observed what 'the great Author of harmony' had wrought in the natural world.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse

Five choice poems by surfers about the spiritual experience of riding the waves, being at one with nature. Surf music interludes by DICK DALE, JAN AND DEAN, THE FOUR SEASONS, TAKESHI TERAUCHI & THE BUNNYS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

NASA Study Finds Antarctica’s Larsen B Ice Shelf Nearing Its Final Act

'Bad news for the planet': A NASA study has found that the last remaining section of Antarctica's Larsen B ice shelf is likely to be gone by decade's end.
by David McGee
 

 

 

When Robert Mitchum Was Like So…

In 1957, while filming in Trinidad with director John Huston, ROBERT MITCHUM became obsessed with Calypso music, so much so that he made an entire album of it, for Capitol, with Johnny Mercer's blessing. It's good stuff. Let's ...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Rocketship X-M

DEEP ROOTS THEATER: Now playiing--Rocketship X-M, a 1950 sci-fi opus starring Lloyd Bridges in a script by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo that subtly proselytizes against the hazards of nuclear at a time when The Bomb w...
by David McGee