Category Archives: Biographies

Anglophilia

Photo: AP/Leicester University

Richard III’s recently unearthed skull
Photo: AP/Leicester University

The recent discovery of the remains of Richard III and the unabated love of all things Downton Abbey has us answering lots of questions from Anglophiles lately. So, if you’re a lover of all things English, or even if you just like their TV shows, we can help.

Learn more about Richard III from Biography in Context, or check our online catalog for items on the Wars of the Roses. Have your library card handy in case you see something you want to put on hold!

Richard III

Richard III

Although not historically accurate, many people’s beliefs about Richard III come from Shakespeare’s history plays depicting the Wars of the Roses (“My kingdom for a horse!”). Of course we have lots of resources for and about the Bard. Here’s a little library trivia: Shakespeare is the only author to have his very own Dewey Decimal Classification number (822.33). We also have access to the wonderful Cambridge Shakespeare Survey Online. All you need is your library card.

Call the MidwifeLooking for something a little more trendy and suitably English while you’re waiting for Downton Abbey? Try the charmingly touching and funny true-to-life memoirs of Jennifer Worth about being a midwife in London’s East End. Call the Midwife is on DVD, CD, or in print. It’s got it all–a true story, a gritty and interesting setting, quirky and loveable characters–and, of course, the babies.

Whether your tastes run more to Shakespeare or modern memoir, we can help you Anglophiles find exactly what you want. Just ask us!

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FLOTUS–From Martha to Michelle

When did the term “First Lady” come into popular use when referring to the president’s wife?  In the early days of the U.S. there was not a generally accepted title for the president’s wife. When Lucy Hayes, wife of the 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes, accompanied her husband to San Francisco in 1877, the press referred to her as “The First Lady of the Land” and the title stuck.

Some First Lady trivia: Which First Lady was once the national president of the Girls Scouts? (Answer: Lou Hoover) Which First Lady was the first to earn a graduate degree? (Answer: Pat Nixon) Which First Ladies were divorcees when they married their husbands? (Answer: Florence Harding and Betty Ford)

FLOTUSTo learn more about our First Ladies, check out the First Ladies’ National Library in Canton, Ohio, which was established when Hillary Clinton was our First Lady. The library is open for tours and workshops. It organizes events and exhibits. Michelle Obama is the library’s honorary chairwoman.

Our Library has many books on our First Ladies. More first lady biographies are available in our online resources, too. Check our online catalog or Ask Us!

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President Lincoln, Movie Star

Have you seen the new Spielberg movie Lincoln and want to know more about the events depicted in the movie?  Are you trying to remember what you learned in American History way back when? We have lots of books about Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, the Civil War, etc.

Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln  by Doris Kearns  Goodwin is one of the sources used by the creators of the movie.  973.7 GOO)

A. Lincoln: a Biography by Ronald C. White Jr. is a comprehensive biography of the president. (B Lincoln)

Giant in the Shadows: the Life of Robert T. Lincoln is a biography of the Lincoln’s oldest  and last surviving son.   (B Lincoln)

Mary Todd Lincoln: a Biography by Jean H. Baker is a definitive account of the troubled former First Lady.  (B Lincoln)

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief by noted historian James McPherson is a study in how Lincoln worked with his military to defeat the Confederacy. (973.7 MCP)

Questions?  Ask us!

Rock On! Or at least read about it…

Wonder what the rock ‘n’ roll life is really like?  Read all about it in one of these new rock tell-alls.

My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman  (B Allman)

Waging Heavy Peace: a Hippie Dream by Neil Young (781.66 YOU)

The John Lennon Letters by John Lennon (781.66 LEN)

Who I Am: a Memoir by Pete Townshend (781.66 TOW)

Rod: the Autobiography by Rod Stewart (B Stewart)

Cyndi Lauper: a Memoir by Cyndi Lauper (781.64 LAU)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For other titles or biographical works, check our online catalogbiography subject guide, or Ask Us!

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Music Hath Charms…

Singer/Songwriter Emilia Dahlin
CC Photo by: Ctd 2005 via Flickr

If you’re a crooner, a diva or a wedding singer, we’ll make you want to sing about our resources.

Like what?

Photo: Chance Agrella

Sheet music: We’ve got hundreds and hundreds of books of sheet music (classical, rock, pop, historical, patriotic, and Christmas carols, to name a few). Don’t see the song you need for your instrument? Music can be a little tricky to search, so just ask!

Instruction: We have books, CDs and DVDs on mastering everything from piano to ukelele. You can even take music appreciation online (see Universal Class).

Shopping: If you need a new cello, piano, or guitar, we have books to help you buy the right instrument, or even build your own.

Online:  Check out our Naxos sheet music database to download sheet music–legally! While best for classical pieces, it has a great feature for singers–transpose (change the key) online before you print most pieces. Hobbies & Crafts database features thousands of articles (with pictures) on everything from mixing your music in a studio to violin restoration.

Listening: Of course we have thousands and thousands of CDs, plus streaming and downloadable music. There are books to help you choose your next great listen or to learn about music styles and history. Don’t forget DVDs of musical performances, and all of the concerts at the library, too!

Seeking inspiration? Check out print or online biographies of musicians.

Whether you like to dabble or are trying to make it as a musician, let’s make beautiful music together.

   

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Good Reads About Interesting People

If you enjoy biographies, here are a few new ones to try:

St. Charles Public Library IL - The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power

 

The Passage of Power: the Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro is the fourth volume in the author’s acclaimed series on the life ofLBJ.  The latestvolume covers Johnson’s years as vice president andhisbecoming president  upon the death of JFK.  (B Johnson)

St. Charles Public Library IL - Catherine The Great by Robert K. Massie

 

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie is the best-selling biography of the Empress of Russia and her 34 year reign in the 18th century.  (B Catherine II)

 

St. Charles Public Library IL - Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood

 

Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood by Emily W. Leider is the first biography of the actress best known for her role of Nora Charles in the Thin Man series.  (B Loy)

 

St. Charles Public Library IL - Just One Catch: A Biography of Joseph Heller

 

Just One Catch: A Biography of Joseph Heller by Tracy Daugherty is the first biography of Heller and it is published in time for the 50th anniversary of Heller’s most famous work, Catch-22.  (B Heller)

 

Just looking for some quick facts, or the latest info on someone famous? Try our Biography page.

For other full-length biographies, check our catalog or Ask Us!

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