‘Next Stop Is Vietnam’: A War In Song
Source: NPR
In this radio piece, NPR looks back at the music written during and about the Vietnam War. Many musicians used protest songs to voice their opposition to the war.
Arts & Entertainment
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Source: Colonial Williamsburg Journal
John Trumbull’s famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence portrays a scene that did not happen. Read the article to learn about the inaccuracies, and click the online extra to explore the painting by hovering over faces to see who is depicted.
The strange fates of the Shakespeare First Folio
Source: The Conversation
Chair of the English department at University of Nevado, Reno, Eric Rasmussen recently authenticated a Shakespeare First Folio found in France. He discusses the searches lead over the years to find copies of this first collection of William Shakespeare’s plays, which includes The Tempest.
Shakespeare in Love
Source: RogerEbert.com
The 1998 film Shakespeare in Love, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, presented a fictionalized young William Shakespeare in the process of writing The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Get a sneak peek by reading legendary film critic Roger Ebert’s review.
Fairy Tales: Help or Hinder?
Source: Teen Ink
In fairy tales about knights, dragons, princes, and princesses, good wins over evil. But should children think that nothing bad happens in real life? Should fairy tales be read to children today? Read the author’s opinion and decide whether or not you agree with what fairy tales really tell.
Ramsey Campbell and Stephen King on why Rupert Bear and Bambi are truly terrifying
Source: The Guardian
Horror writers discuss their surprising inspirations and the particular pleasure derived from fear in the horror genre.
Photographing on Top of the World
Source: The New York Times
Joe McNally takes photographs in hard-to-reach and risky places. Recently, he made it to the top of the world’s tallest building in Dubai to take a photo of the view. Read about it, and watch a video of how he did it, here.
Nik Wallenda completes wire walk across Chicago skyline
Source: The Guardian
Read about how daredevil Nik Wallenda broke two records tightrope walking on a steel wire more than 50 stories above the Chicago river.
Why Shakespeare Matters
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., houses one of the richest collections of materials related to William Shakespeare and fosters research, productions, and educational outreach. Why devote so much effort to works over 400 years old, by an author from another country?
Are All Movie Heroes the Same Person?
Source: Pacific Standard
If you’ve ever watched a movie and thought, This hero reminds me of a hero in another movie, you’re not alone. Author Joseph Campbell explored myths and stories about heroes from around the world and found that they have much in common; his work in turn inspired the creation of new movie heroes, including the heroes of the Star Wars series.