Victoria Wilson’s new biography, A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940 is impressive, if just for its length and heft. It is just the first half of a two-part exhaustive look into the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most enduring, yet shyest stars. Stanwyck, born Ruby Stevens, started life in Brooklyn as a quasi-orphan. Her mother died when she was quite young and her father disappeared soon after, leaving young Ruby and her brother Byron to be raised by friends and family. Her three older […]
How to Quiet Your Mind
I have been working so hard on getting my bodily health in shape that I may have overlooked my mental and emotional health, too. Everything is connected, and pretty much everyone I talk to has suggested meditation for a way to relieve stress and improve my outlook on life. But where does a neophyte start? I found this book at the library, Quiet Mind: A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation, which was compiled and edited by Susan Piver. It includes seven different meditation exercises, explained and introduced […]
A Personal Journey Through the Process of Art Therapy
I read this book as a part of my readings for a class in art therapy fundamentals. Personally, I think that this book is more suited to those who have an interest in art therapy, or particularly like the tales of people
A Gift from a Master Storyteller
The Consolation of Philosophy
Boethius, a prominent statesmen in Italy (after the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire), wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while imprisoned for treason after having been one of the most important advisors to the king of Italy. He declares himself innocent of the charges, and as this piece begins, he is in despair, under arrest. It is at this time that his old muse, Philosophy, comes to him, to console him and remind him of himself and the actual path to happiness. […]
Up in the Air
A Cannonball reviewer recently commended an author for keeping himself (herself?) out of their nonfiction story, and letting the work speak for itself. I believe Mark Schreiber could take a note. Dreams of the Solo Trapeze purports to be a backstage tour of Cirque de Soleil.