Today we celebrate President’s Day, a holiday dedicated to our country’s great governmental leaders. But today also marks the 50th anniversary of John Glenn’s first orbit around the earth. That accomplishment reawakened a nation’s hope and patriotism.
The Cold War and the Space Race
In 1962, America remained locked in the Cold War with Communist countries, most importantly Russia. With Russia’s successful launch of Sputnik in October, 1957, a new kind of competition began. President John F Kennedy officially made the space race a national priority in 1961, when he vowed that the US would send a man to the Moon by the end of the decade. Yet the US lagged behind Russia, managing only a few short suborbital flights—while Russia sent a dog, and then a man, into space.
John Glenn Makes History
Enter the man whom Tom Wolfe once called “the last true national hero America has ever had.” That man was John Glenn, a Marine corps fighter pilot from New Concord, Ohio. Glenn had dropped out of college after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and enlisted in the Army. When he wasn’t called to duty, Glenn entered the Navy. During advanced training he was transferred to the Marines, where he would later serve alongside Ted Williams, legendary Hall of Fame baseball player for the Boston Red Sox.
In 1959 Glenn was selected as one of the original seven astronauts for Project Mercury. Three years later, Glenn assured his place in history as the first person to orbit Earth.
Glenn orbited the earth three times, and the flight lasted only 4 hours, 55 minutes, and 23 seconds. He would later go on to be part of the first mission to the Moon.
The entire city of Perth, Australia turned on houselights and streetlights as Glenn passed overhead, earning it the nickname “City of Lights.”
Upon his return, Glenn received a ticker-tape parade in his honor. His accomplishment also won the admiration of the Kennedy family, and he became a friend of the Kennedy clan.
Though Glenn testified to Congress in 1962 to support excluding women from going into space, he eventually  reversed his view. He supported Judith Resnik in her career.
Glenn resigned from NASA six weeks after President Kennedy was assassinated. He returned to Ohio to run for political office.
When Glenn retired from the Marines in 1965, he sought a new role as an executive at Royal Crown Cola.
Now 90 years old, Glenn is still married to his high school sweetheart, Anne. Today he’ll be honored again at the Cape Canaveral reunion of the Mercury team. Meanwhile, the promise and mystery of space travel continue to enthrall us.
On February 20, 2012, people across America will celebrate Presidents Day, a holiday commemorating the leaders who have built the country. Though the day honors all presidents, it was originally intended to recognize George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Presidents as Authors
Presidents are famously men of letters: educated, erudite, and charismatic. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other founding fathers established their reputation by contributing to beautifully written documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Modern presidents have followed that literary tradition, writing books that capture not only their own experiences, but also the evolution of a nation.
Herbert Hoover completely eschewed writing about his life as president, opting instead to write about his favorite pastime in Fishing for Fun and to Wash Your Soul.
Gerald Ford is the author of the most diverse works; he not only wrote the autobiography A Time to Heal, but also the much lighter fare, Humor and the Presidency.
Bill Clinton took up the pen to write My Life and Giving¸ both of which have remained popular.
President Barack Obama has already joined the ranks of presidential authors with The Audacity of Hope and Of Thee I Sing.
Numerous other luminaries, including first ladies and world leaders, have contributed to our understanding of US presidents and our country. These books make exceptional additions to the personal library.
When Pope Gelasius established Saint Valentine’s Day in 496 AD, he certainly had no idea that the holiday would persist for centuries. The holiday was first associated with romance and love during the High Middle Ages, thanks to the burgeoning tradition of courtly love in Geoffrey Chaucer’s day. And nothing says “love” like giving the perfect book! Here’s a look at some favorite Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the bibliophile and rare book collector.
Classic Tales of Love
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to embrace classic tales of romance and love.
Coleen McCollough’s The Thorn Birds traces more than a family’s struggles on the Australian outback. The novel chronicles the unlikely love between a young woman and her family’s priest.
True romance isn’t all fiction! Share the romantic inspiration of the right biography with your Valentine this year.  I Love You, Ronnie documents the extraordinary relationship of Nancy and Ronald Reagan. In My Delicious Life with Paula Deen, Michael “Captain” Groover shares stories of his life with wife and celebrity chef Paula Deen.
Everyone Loves a Little Fine Press
Fine press books are exceptionally beautiful and created in small numbers, making them an original and special gift.
The works of Charles van Sandwyk, such as Affairs of the Heart, are impeccably illustrated.
Samuel M Johnson’s “Two Lovers on a Bench,” an excerpt from the opera Einstein on the Beach, is available in limited editions from the renowned Heavenly Monkey press.
Lovers of John Updike will appreciate the fine press edition of “Couples,” by the Halty Ferguson press, of which only 250 copies were printed.
The nominations are in, and “Hugo” tops the list with 11 Academy Award nominations. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, earned nominations for best film and best director. It is one more example of books’ inspiring movies we love!
Already an Award-Winning Story
“Hugo” is based on the 2007 book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which won the Caldecott Medal in 2008. Written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, it was the first novel to earn the honor. The book has 533 page, which include 284 illustrations. Selznick  says The Invention of Hugo Cabret is “not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things.”
As the movie has garnered so much attention, the book has once again found a well deserved place in the spotlight. Signed first editions will make exceptional additions for collectors who focus on movie tie-ins, Caldecott winners, or children’s books. What’s your favorite book that has found its way to the big screen? And what are your predictions for the Academy Awards?
Today would be the 306th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, whose contributions stretched far beyond his role as Founding Father. The polymath inventor was a significant figure in the American Enlightenment, paving the way for the evolution of politics, science, and even the country’s infrastructure.
Humble Beginnings
Franklin’s father, Josiah Franklin, was a soap and candle maker who emigrated to Boston with his first wife, Anne Child, in 1683. The two had seven children together before Anne passed away. Josiah remarried Abiah Folger in 1689; Benjamin was their eighth child—and Josiah’s fifteenth.
Franklin’s parents had little money, so Franklin received only a few years of formal education. He continued on his own, reading everything he could get his hands on.  When Franklin was 12, he began an apprenticeship with his older brother James, learning the printing industry.
Launching a New Career
Five years later he ran away to Philadelphia, effectively making him a fugitive!  Franklin soon established himself as a leader in Philadelphia’s intellectual community. He was made Grand Master of the local Masonic lodge by 1734, a title that illustrates his esteem in the community. Here’s a look at other, lesser known milestones in Franklin’s life and career:
In 1730 Franklin entered a common-law marriage with Deborah Read after her husband ran off with her dowry. Franklin had proposed to Deborah years before, when she was fifteen, but her mother objected to their match.
Deborah allowed Franklin’s illegitimate son, William, to become a part of their family. William grew up to be the last Loyalist governor in the colonies, for which his father could never forgive him. The two were estranged, and William eventually settled in England.
Franklin was a prolific inventor. He is credited with creating the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove, among many others. He never sought patents for his inventions, noting that they should be used for bettering society.
Always interested in expediting news delivery, Franklin began to explore ocean currents and their effect on the duration of ocean voyages. With the help of his cousin, he identified and named the Gulf Stream, which had a significant impact on nautical exploration and seafaring.
Franklin and his contemporary Leonhard Euler were the only major scientists of the time to support the wave theory of light. A major underpinning of modern physics, this theory is the basic basis for the work of countless modern scientists, including Stephen Hawking.
Though the field of economics would not be recognized until Adam Smith published Wealth of Nations in 1775, Franklin lent an economist’s eye to issues affecting farmers, such as price controls and subsidies for the poor. He also strongly advocated the use of paper money over metal-based currency.
Franklin was the first chess player recognized by name in the American colonies. An avid player, he was also one of the earliest authors to address the game. Franklin was even inducted into the US Chess Players’ Hall of Fame in 1999.
All the while, Franklin built an extraordinary reputation as a statesman and diplomat. Though Franklin would never serve as President, his revolutionary spirit and academic achievements have earned him a place as a truly beloved figure in American history. Franklin’s legacy of excellence remains an inspiration every day.
Every year, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), honors the best in children’s literature. The Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and Coretta Scott King Award are the among the most sought after honors for children’s books.
The Newbery Medal
In 1921, Frederic G. Melcher proposed to the ALA that an award be established to recognize outstanding works of children’s literature. He suggested naming the award after John Newbery, an 18th-century bookseller. The goal of the award: “To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels.” The Newbery Award thus became the first honor in the world designated explicitly for children’s books. Prior winners include many favorites in contemporary juvenile literature:
Randolph Caldecott stood out as one of the preeminent children’s illustrators in 19th-century England. He brought a special humor, movement, and vitality to illustrations. When in 1937, a member of the Newbery Committee suggested a second award for illustration, it seemed natural to name it after Caldecott.
Each year, the Newbery Medal Committee also selects a winner for the Caldecott Medal. American picture books published in the previous year are eligible. Past winners include the following exceptional children’s books:
The purpose of the Coretta Scott King Award is to recognize exceptional African American authors and illustrators. Greer named the award for Coretta Scott King to commemorate her continued efforts to promote the vision of peace that her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. introduced during a period of great turmoil in US history.
The Coretta Scott King Award was the idea of Glyndon Greer, who organized the award in 1969 with the help of other New Jersey Library Association members. The first award was presented the following year. It was not until 1974 that illustrators were also recognized; now an author and illustrator win the prize each year. In 1979, the award was officially recognized and adopted by the ALA.
These award-winning books for children offer excellent inspiration for collectors young and old. They provide a means of introducing kids to books of lasting value and remind adults of the beauty and simplicity of youth. Many of them became rare books in exceptional condition, especially in first edition or signed by the author. Which award-winning children’s books are in your personal library?
Have you chosen a costume? Stocked up on candy? Planned that trick-or-treating route? That’s right…Halloween is almost here. The myths and tales of Halloween have long captured our imagination, making the holiday a perfect match for book collectors. Classic spine tingling reads are consistent book collecting favorites.
Chilling Tales of Horror
For the Halloween enthusiast, the traditional horror story may be the best fit for this spooky season. Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley set the precedent for tales of the supernatural, and modern authors have followed their lead.
Anne Rice’s legendary Vampire series arrested our attention long before Twilight ever did. These novels weave history with the epic tale of vampires.
Stephen King never fails to delight—and frighten—his readers. From Carrie and Christine to The Shining and Misery, King’s novels invoke fear on both the page and the big screen.
Dean Koontz has delivered countless frightening tales of the supernatural and horrifying. His thrillers include a series based on the classic tale of Frankenstein.
No list of modern horror writers would be complete without Thomas Harris, mastermind behind The Silence of the Lambs series and others. Harris has become an icon among modern authors.
For the Younger Crowd
Halloween isn’t only about ghosts, monsters, and murder. The holiday is also about imagination, magic, and fantastic creatures. If you love the more whimsical side of Halloween, consider these favorites.
The Harry Potter series brings us to a fanciful world of a young wizard. These novels, by JK Rowling, are sure to remain favorites for generations to come.
Cornelia Funke’s Inkworld trilogy transports us to a land of dragons and magic. The award-winning author masterfully captivates young audiences
The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaimans, earned the author both a Newbery Medal and a Hugo Award. The novel tells the story of Nobody Owens, a boy raised in a graveyard….by ghosts!
Which books top your must-have list for Halloween?
This week the 2011 winners of the Nobel Prize are unveiled. Alfred Nobel, for whom the Prize is named, specified that prizes be awarded in several different disciplines: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Peace, Economics, and of course Literature. Nobel’s own interest in literature began in childhood, and the contents of his personal library are quite impressive.
While the other Nobel Prizes are announced every year in early October, the Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded later. The first prize was awarded in 1901, and since then 107 people have earned the award. And you’re right; those numbers don’t add up! That’s because in some years, the prize has been shared, while in others no Nobel Prize was awarded for Literature. Nobel stipulated that if no nominated works fit the criteria for the prize, then no prize should be awarded.
Nobel Trivia
The Nobel Prize in Literature has an incredibly rich history. A few interesting facts about the prize:
The youngest Nobel laureate in Literature was Rudyard Kipling, who was only 42 years old when he earned the prize in 1907.
Doris Lessing was the oldest winner. She was 88 years old when she won the prize.
The first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature was Selma Lagerlöf. She was later nominated to the Swedish Academy to select Nobel Prize winners.
Only two people have ever declined the award. Boris Pasternak accepted the prize in 1958, but was “later caused by the authorities of his country (Soviet Union) to decline the Prize.” Jeal Paul Sartre also declined in 1964 because he declined all official recognition.
The prize has been awarded posthumously twice: first to Erick Axel Karlfeldt in 1931, and to Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961, The Nobel Foundation stipulated in 1974 that prizes not be awarded posthumously, unless the winner dies after the winner has been selected.
Want to watch the Nobel Prize announcements unfold? Watch them live right here! Then take a moment to browse our selection of literature by Nobel laureates.
Saturday started Banned Books Week, a time to celebrate the First Amendment and our freedom to read. Throughout history, people have recognized the transformative power of literature; governments, religious institutions, and even school districts have sought to contain that power by banning controversial books—in some cases even ordering the destruction of books.
Yet banning a book often has the opposite effect: making a book all the more sought after. This happens for two reasons. First, many banned books are truly exceptional works of literature and have become part of the literary canon. They are perennial favorites in consistent demand from collectors. Meanwhile, some modern books—such as James Joyce’sUlysses (burned in the US, England, Canada, and Ireland)—were actually destroyed, limiting the number of first editions and printings.
Here’s a look at some of the most frequently challenged books in the United States, and sometimes even around the world:
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was challenged for language and sexual references. It remains a staple of high-school and college classrooms around the country.
The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger, has long been a favorite target for censorship. In 1960, a teacher was even fired for assigning the book. The novel was most recently challenged in 2009 in Missouri.
The publication of John Steinbeck’sThe Grapes of Wrath drew international attention. The book was burned by a library in Illinois and banned in Canada. Eleven Turkish booksellers faced a military tribunal for publishing, possessing, and selling the book. Of Mice and Men was equally controversial.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, was denounced as a “filthy, trashy novel.” Despite the novel’s having won a Pulitzer Prize, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to be challenged almost yearly.
George Orwell also earned attention for both 1984 and Animal Farm. The latter was even suppressed from appearing at the 1977 Russian International Book Fair.
Burned in Nazi bonfires in Germany, The Sun also Rises  by Ernest Hemingway was also banned in Ireland and multiple US cities. A Farewell to Arms received similar response, and For Whom the Bell Tolls was deemed “unmailable” by the US Post Office.
Today marks the anniversary of the first manned lunar landing. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin left Michael Collins to man the Columbia and took the Eagle to the surface of the moon. Think you know all about the Moon and the lunar landing? Bet you hadn’t heard of these tidbits.
The computers used for the Apollo mission had less power than a contemporary cell phone.
Before heading to the Moon’s surface, Aldrin privately took Communion, a fact he didn’t share till years later. At the time, an atheist had petitioned that astronauts not be allowed to practice religion during missions.
The door of the Eagle had no outer handle. When Aldrin joined Armstrong on the Moon, he had to be careful to leave the door ajar.
Armstrong reported that walking on the Moon was “easier perhaps than the simulation….It’s absolutely no trouble to walk around.”
While Armstrong and Aldrin walked the Moon’s surface, the unmanned Soviet vessel Luna 15 prepared to touch down. That mission was the Soviet Union’s third attempt at retrieving lunar soil.
Mission Control was afraid that Armstrong would run out of fuel before landing on the Moon. If so, he would have crashed on the Moon’s surface.
Aldrin accidentally broke the circuit breaker to turn on the Eagle’s main engine, potentially stranding the astronauts on the Moon. He and Armstrong used a felt tip pen to flip the switch.
In addition to the iconic American flag, the astronauts left scientific instruments, a gold olive branch, a silicon memory disc, and a few other items.
The silicon disc held recordings of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, along with messages from 73 other world leaders.
Armstrong and Aldrin had trouble planting the flag in the Moon’s surface. The flag actually toppled over, thanks to the exhaust from the ascent stage engines.
Check out We Choose the Moon, an interactive reenactment of the mission. Some of us are lucky enough to remember the landing. Share your memories here in the comments!
