An intimate portrait of Barbara Eden
This is an intimate account of Barbara Eden's early childhood, and her work on stage, TV, movies and live concert performances. Her personal life is portrayed in detail, especially her work with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” for which she is known and very well liked. Her emotional breakdown following the death of her only son, Matthew left her in grief and deep distress. His long addiction to controlled substances was devastating. She learns her son’s death from a late-night call from police who found him slumped over the steering wheel of his parked car at a Chevron gas station in Los Angeles, CA. He had injected himself with pure cocaine.
Eden has beauty in words when she is describing key events in her life. She makes the narratives come to life and fascinates us, the lows and highs of her life, with a sense of humor. The book is deeply engrossing and her style of writing is exemplary.
Two chapters stands out in my mind, Chapter 8 - All about Larry, and Chapter 9 - Viva Las Vegas. Working with Larry Hagman on “I Dream of Jeannie” was not exactly a bubbly happy picture. Larry was extremely moody and heavily into alcohol. He was a troubled young man. The storms and conflicts regularly raged on the set and the only way for Eden was to hide in her dressing room. He was openly rude to his television crew and co-stars. Guests of the show were treated with insult and rudeness. Jackie Cooper, Groucho Marx, Sammy Davis Jr, and Milton Berle appeared on her show; Hagman exhibited his worst behavior at them. Eden recalls Sammy Davis asking her, after the shoot, “How in the hell do you work with him, Barbara? He is an a*shole”. Sammy burst off the set saying, “if I ever have to see that – again I will kill him.” Gene Nelson, a costar of the first season was out the door because of Larry Hagman’s insistence. Despite all his tirade against the guests and crew and Barbara, he delivered the scripted dialogue in a professional manner. That is how we saw him; bright and happy astronaut in love with a Jeannie.
Eden has been much news lately, at 86, she appeared at the Hollywood Beauty Awards, where she proved that age certainly hasn't affected her grace and beauty. In 1990, she was honored by the University Of West Los Angeles School Of Law with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. This is a memorable piece of literature; I am fascinated with her life. I recommend this book to fans of Barbara Eden, and “I Dream of Jeannie.” This book debuted at #14 on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Book Reviewed: Upending the Ivory Tower: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Ivy League by Stefan M. Bradley
The black experience at Ivy League; from historical perspectives
The admission of black students into the Ivy League wasn’t an idealistic response to the civil rights movement, but the realization of a need for social and economic justice at institutions of higher learning that would be a model for the American society. Ivy League schools became part of a movement led largely by black students. They fought the division between less-fortunate and privileged Americans in institutions of higher learning. Historically, Ivy League or the Ancient Eight, as the author refers to, were constructed and maintained to advance certain demographics. They favored wealthy students with lesser credentials—children of alumni, politicians, big donors, entertainers and celebrities who were largely white.
Professor Stefan Bradley of Loyola Marymount University illuminates on the ever-changing definition of privilege of being at elite colleges like Harvard and Yale. This is a century-long battle that became intense during civil rights era for opportunities in American society. This book offers a new perspective on American history, especially from the point of contributions made by African American students who defiantly resisted unfairness on college campuses, and fought to bring inclusion and social justice. In the century between the Civil War and the civil rights movement, a critical increase in black student’s educational attainment mirrored national growth. Black students demanded space, and asserted their voices as educators, despite such barriers as violence, discrimination, and oppressive campus policies. Life was complex for these students, from Martin Delaney to Cornell West to Obama’s. In the process, they enriched the American experience and its leadership in the decades after WWII. It highlighted the issue of race in the most elite environments, and the struggles to defeat bigotry and prejudice.
Separate chapters have been devoted for the black movements at each of the eight Ivy League schools that included; how Princeton continued to support Jim Crow laws on its campus until WWII. Brown University’s complex relationship with black freedom and education; Dartmouth College’s efforts to assimilate black students and creating a healthy environment for education and scholarship on its campus; The expansion of Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania in largely black neighborhoods of New York and Philadelphia respectively, and its slow and steady realization of its obligations and responsibilities for their neighbors who were long ignored because of their race; the role of black students and faculty members at Yale University in creating the field of Black Studies program; and the last two chapters looks into a more militant style struggle to establish African American studies program at Harvard and Cornell Universities. Now Black studies program remains one of the enduring and outstanding legacies of the black power movement. Harvard alumni, W.E.B DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, and William Leo Hansberry paved the way for thousands for aspiring African Americans. Beyond Black Studies program, black students struggled to create opportunities for the rest black population in the country.
This book is highly engaging and a very readable. I recommend this to readers interested in American history, African-American history, the shaping of African-American Studies programs on college campuses and the history of Ivy League schools.
The admission of black students into the Ivy League wasn’t an idealistic response to the civil rights movement, but the realization of a need for social and economic justice at institutions of higher learning that would be a model for the American society. Ivy League schools became part of a movement led largely by black students. They fought the division between less-fortunate and privileged Americans in institutions of higher learning. Historically, Ivy League or the Ancient Eight, as the author refers to, were constructed and maintained to advance certain demographics. They favored wealthy students with lesser credentials—children of alumni, politicians, big donors, entertainers and celebrities who were largely white.
Professor Stefan Bradley of Loyola Marymount University illuminates on the ever-changing definition of privilege of being at elite colleges like Harvard and Yale. This is a century-long battle that became intense during civil rights era for opportunities in American society. This book offers a new perspective on American history, especially from the point of contributions made by African American students who defiantly resisted unfairness on college campuses, and fought to bring inclusion and social justice. In the century between the Civil War and the civil rights movement, a critical increase in black student’s educational attainment mirrored national growth. Black students demanded space, and asserted their voices as educators, despite such barriers as violence, discrimination, and oppressive campus policies. Life was complex for these students, from Martin Delaney to Cornell West to Obama’s. In the process, they enriched the American experience and its leadership in the decades after WWII. It highlighted the issue of race in the most elite environments, and the struggles to defeat bigotry and prejudice.
Separate chapters have been devoted for the black movements at each of the eight Ivy League schools that included; how Princeton continued to support Jim Crow laws on its campus until WWII. Brown University’s complex relationship with black freedom and education; Dartmouth College’s efforts to assimilate black students and creating a healthy environment for education and scholarship on its campus; The expansion of Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania in largely black neighborhoods of New York and Philadelphia respectively, and its slow and steady realization of its obligations and responsibilities for their neighbors who were long ignored because of their race; the role of black students and faculty members at Yale University in creating the field of Black Studies program; and the last two chapters looks into a more militant style struggle to establish African American studies program at Harvard and Cornell Universities. Now Black studies program remains one of the enduring and outstanding legacies of the black power movement. Harvard alumni, W.E.B DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, and William Leo Hansberry paved the way for thousands for aspiring African Americans. Beyond Black Studies program, black students struggled to create opportunities for the rest black population in the country.
This book is highly engaging and a very readable. I recommend this to readers interested in American history, African-American history, the shaping of African-American Studies programs on college campuses and the history of Ivy League schools.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Book Reviewed: The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS
Jihad and Genocide
This book examines the relationship between Islam & ISIS, and jihad & genocide. Robert Spencer, a respected scholar in the field of Islamic terrorism takes a close look at the violent interpretations of Quran, Hadith and Sharia law, and as how it has played out in the past twelve hundred years. Spencer’s unflinching study of jihad to initiate targeted violence against infidels. The faith lacks tolerance and promotes violence.
ISIS is a fundamentalist group that interprets Islamic teachings with all its beliefs and truth. The liberal media makes us believe that ISIS is neither Islamic nor a state, despite the fact that ISIS’ meteoric rise from the chaotic deserts of Syria and Iraq, and its popularity in Islamic countries. Spencer articulates the origins of ISIS in the context of Islamic history and of past caliphates. The author shows us as how once predominantly Christian Middle East has turned into a freedom suppressing Muslim monarchies. While it is tempting to stick our heads in the sand and hope for moderate Muslims to reign in their radical compatriots, but the history of Islam from days of Muhammad has been one of unrelenting militarism and domination of the Kafir (unbelievers). Spencer provides the historical support for caliphates in the Islamic world. ISIS tries to restore Islam’s global power.
This book examines the relationship between Islam & ISIS, and jihad & genocide. Robert Spencer, a respected scholar in the field of Islamic terrorism takes a close look at the violent interpretations of Quran, Hadith and Sharia law, and as how it has played out in the past twelve hundred years. Spencer’s unflinching study of jihad to initiate targeted violence against infidels. The faith lacks tolerance and promotes violence.
ISIS is a fundamentalist group that interprets Islamic teachings with all its beliefs and truth. The liberal media makes us believe that ISIS is neither Islamic nor a state, despite the fact that ISIS’ meteoric rise from the chaotic deserts of Syria and Iraq, and its popularity in Islamic countries. Spencer articulates the origins of ISIS in the context of Islamic history and of past caliphates. The author shows us as how once predominantly Christian Middle East has turned into a freedom suppressing Muslim monarchies. While it is tempting to stick our heads in the sand and hope for moderate Muslims to reign in their radical compatriots, but the history of Islam from days of Muhammad has been one of unrelenting militarism and domination of the Kafir (unbelievers). Spencer provides the historical support for caliphates in the Islamic world. ISIS tries to restore Islam’s global power.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)