Grand Union Flag

November 30, 1782 — The United States and Britain signed preliminary peace articles in Paris, ending the Revolutionary War.

December 3, 1775 — Americans first hoisted the the Grand Union Flag on the colonial warship Alfred, in the harbor on the western shore of the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 3, 1775, by newly appointed Lieutenant John Paul Jones of the formative Continental Navy.

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On Writing: Robertson Davies

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Book Review: Fahrenheit 451

 

Forget about George Orwell and Aldous Huxley.  Ray Bradbury offers up a fantastic metaphor for our social media-crazed times with his story about firemen who burn books. See for yourself:

“And so when houses were finally fireproofed completely, all over the world (you were correct in your assumption the other night) there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposes. They were given the new job, as custodians of our peace of mind, the focus of our understandable and rightful dread of being inferior; official censors, judges, and executors. That’s you, Montag, and that’s me…

“If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none…

“Colored people don’t like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don’t feel good about Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Burn it. Someone’s written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book. Serenity, Montag. Peace, Montag. Take your fight outside. Better yet, into the incinerator.

“Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damned full of ‘facts’ they feel stuffed, but absolutely ‘brilliant’ with information. Then they’ll feel they’re thinking, they’ll get a sense of motion without moving. And they’ll be happy, because facts of that sort don’t change…

“The important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we’re the Happiness Boys, the Dixie Duo, you and I and the others. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought.

“Those who don’t build must burn. It’s as old as history and juvenile delinquents peace of mind, the focus of our understandable and rightful dread of being inferior; official censors, judges, and executors. That’s you, Montag, and that’s me…

“If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none…

“Colored people don’t like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don’t feel good about Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Burn it. Someone’s written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book. Serenity, Montag. Peace, Montag. Take your fight outside. Better yet, into the incinerator.

“Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damned full of ‘facts’ they feel stuffed, but absolutely ‘brilliant’ with information. Then they’ll feel they’re thinking, they’ll get a sense of motion without moving. And they’ll be happy, because facts of that sort don’t change…

“The important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we’re the Happiness Boys, the Dixie Duo, you and I and the others. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought.

“Those who don’t build must burn. It’s as old as history and juvenile delinquents.”

Definitely 5 of 5 Stars

 

Link to Farhenheit 451 on Amazon (Paid Link)

Jungleland — Now Only $.99 on Amazon!

11/28 thru 12/4

“There are only two types of aircraft:  fighters and targets.”

~Doyle ‘Wahoo’ Nicholson, USMC

Sweating it out in the former Belgian Congo as a civil war mercenary, with Sparks turning wrenches on his T-6 Texan, Hawk splits his time flying combat missions and, back on the ground, sparring with Ella, an attractive young missionary doctor, in the sequel to My Brother’s Keeper.

Jungleland Page at Amazon

 

 

Clear and Present Dangers……Rita Mae Brown

“Writers will happen in the best of families.”

~Rita Mae Brown

An Appeal to Heaven Flag

Thanksgiving, 2022

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Fall

Lodging — Now FREE on Amazon!

11/23 thru 11/26

“*Sigh*…such a bittersweet story to make me weak in the knees and sorrowful all at once…I HIGHLY recommend this read for anyone.”

~Review by JenacideByBibliophile

While World War II engulfs every nation on the globe, Rebecca and her high school friend Sarah can only dream of escaping a dreary, wind-blown existence in western Kansas, until their boring, stodgy old hometown fills with handsome young men learning to fly Army Air Corps bombers known as Liberators, and their lives are suddenly filled with temptation and, perhaps, true love.

Lodging Page at Amazon

 

 

Clear and Present Dangers……Voltaire

“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”

~Voltaire

Pirate Flag

November 15, 1720 — Pirates Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and John Rackham are captured by Capt. Jonathan Barnet and brought to Spanish Town, Jamaica, for trial.

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