MAY 17, 2013

In 2012, Gale, Cengage Learning published Volume 261 of the series, Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism.

Each volume publishes reprints of material that qualifies as "criticism of the works of novelists, poets, playwrights, who lived between 1900 and 1999, from the first published critical appraisals to current evaluations."

The newest volume includes three sections, each devoted to another writer: C. Day Lewis, 1904-1972; Jaroslav Hasek, 1883-1923; and Ayn Rand, 1905-1982, the "Russian-born American novelist, essayist, philosopher, and *playwright."

Many writers in Rand studies are featured in this section of Volume 261; the editors chose to reprint Chapter 8 of Ayn Rand: The Russian Radical.

In the meanwhile, I've been working hard on new materials to be included in the 2013 expanded second edition of Russian Radical. Details on this edition to follow soon...

MAY 07, 2013

Song of the Day: Jason and the Argonauts ("Skeletons"), composed by Bernard Herrmann, provides the atmospheric musical motif for one of the greatest special effects achievements in the storied history of legend Ray Harryhausen, who passed away today at age 92. Check out this iconic scene from the fun 1963 fantasy film on YouTube.

MAY 05, 2013

Song of the Day: Jesus of Nazereth ("Jesus of Nazareth") [YouTube clip at that link], composed by the stupendous Maurice Jarre, is a loving overture heard throughout the epic television miniseries, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, probably the best story of Christ I've ever seen in any medium. The film features a sensitive performance by Robert Powell in the title role, and memorable appearances by Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Anthony Quinn, Ernest Borgnine, James Farentino, Anne Bancroft, Christopher Plummer, Rod Steiger, Olivia Hussey, and so many others. A Happy Easter to all of my Eastern Orthodox compadres!