“I HEAR AMERICA SINGING” “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” Out of this astounding thought a nation was born — the idea that the greatest good for the whole is the result of respecting the rights of the individual. I have tou
ELECTED OR ANNOINTED? Joseph E. Stiglitz won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2001 and has published many books on the subject, including his latest in 2010, “Freefall: America, and the Sinking of the World Economy.” His recent essay appeared in the May edition of “Va
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Ray Bradbury’s novel of over 40 years ago, “Fahrenheit 451,” has turned out to contain more fact than fiction. The story is about a fire fighter whose job is to burn books that are banned by a hedonistic society — a society that considers t
SMALL MIRACLES THAT AREN’T SO SMALL Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” is among the more famous novels about a child who suffers abuse. In the real world, too many of these stories are truth. But even well-intended parents face challenges as they raise a family. In fact, it’s a
WE GET MORE THAN ONE BITE OF THE APPLE In his memoir, “Idea Man,” Paul Allen, who collaborated with Bill Gates to create Microsoft, recalls their early years together in high school. Allen was a couple of grades ahead of Gates, but they shared an interest in writing progra
SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH This may sound strange coming for a woman approaching 75, but every morning I awake and think how best to live my life. I’ve been lucky in my experiences thus far. My work has been varied and I’ve enjoyed general good health — though there have been moments w
THE FAMILY OF MAN In 1955 Edward Steichen was curator for a collection of photographs from around the world that were to be exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art. The purpose was to celebrate the best examples of this creative medium. What it achieved was far more. Steichen gave to th
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Washington Irving is credited with authoring the classic tale, “Rip Van Winkle,” the story of a man who escapes unpleasant circumstances by sleeping through them. Similar stories can be found in various cultures from ancient Greece and China to later tales
WHERE ARE THE MEN? Many books have been written about social injustice. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” comes to mind in the struggle against slavery. Alan Paton’s, “Cry the Beloved Country” documents similar conditions for the blacks living u
OUT OF AFRICA AND IN INTO ONESELF I’ve recently finished reading Alexander McCall Smith’s eleventh book in “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series and was stunned to read his description of the Africa veldt. As his central character steps out of her van to look