Welcome to this month's reading group selection. David Von Drehle mentions The Melting Pot , a play by Israel Zangwill, that premiered on Broadway in 1908. At that time theater was accessible to a broad section of the public, not the exclusive domain it has become over the decades. Zangwill carried a hopeful message that America was a place where old hatreds and prejudices were pointless, and that in this new country immigrants would find a more open society. I suppose the reference was more an ironic one for Von Drehle, as he notes the racial and ethnic hatreds were on display everywhere, and at best Zangwill's play helped persons forget for a moment how deep these divides ran. Nevertheless, "the melting pot" made its way into the American lexicon, even if New York could best be describing as a boiling cauldron in the early twentieth century. Triangle: The Fire That Changed America takes a broad view of events that led up the notorious fire, not...
I hope Robert can rejoin us soon. This one and the Chernow should make for great discussions in the fall/winter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the alert.
It would be great to get Robert back in the mix. I haven't heard from him in awhile. This is a book that would definitely draw his interest.
ReplyDeleteI loved Morris' first book on TR. Theodore Rex didn't quite measure up, but was still a lot of fun to read.
Morris is such a good writer. He was even able to make something out of Reagan, albeit it appeared with his tongue nestled inside his cheek.
Good Evening. This is anexperiment to see if I can get back into things. I chose this site becaue I recently exchangfd e mail with gintaras and it showed that although i'm slow, I can navigate and function fairly well.
ReplyDeleteHello avrds--its been over a year and I'm now retired and fully recovered except for poor eyesight. TR s father once told him that his mind was sperb, but his body was weak (astma). As i lay in a hospital bed last year--totally paralyzed I ewmembered what his father told him: YOU MUST MAKE YOUR BODY---and that helped me --encouraged me to walk and to re-learn everything--and I did--so TR and TR senior get my first post. I'll return in a couple of weeks--this took about ten minutes and I'm speeding up rapidly.....
GLORIOSKY!!!!!! IT WOTKED>>>>YEAH TEDDY!!!! I'm on my way back
ReplyDeleteHOORAY! Great news!
ReplyDeleteLike TR's father, I knew you could do it!
Gloriosky indeed!
Oh, a visit from Robert W. Now I know our conversations will be more delightful (and edifying) than ever. I hope you return whenever you please, sir, and may you please often.
ReplyDeleteRobert when I saw the Glorisky! it brought a huge smile to my face.That is the old Robert back again.
ReplyDeleteGeez I spelled Gloriosky wrong!
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to commit to reading the TR book when it comes out. It could be our December book and a celebration. Perfect way to start the new year!
ReplyDeleteSo great to have Bob W back on board. Miracles do happen and let's hope that his health can be restored to 100% and better!
ReplyDelete:)
TR book for December? Sounds good!
All for one. Great to see you back on board, Robert. Really looking forward to Morris' final installment on TR.
ReplyDelete