Musing on Season 4 of Downton Abbey

Once again it's that time of year - the end of another season of Downton Abbey. And, once again, we have to figure out how we are going to survive until next January! So, to keep us going for another 11 months I'm going to share what I thought were the highlights of the season.

Beware there will be some spoilers!


1. Mary and her two (or more) suitors!

The recently widowed Mary is slowly beginning to return to normal. But some people are pushing her a little too hard or at least Mary thinks so. Her family want her to be involved with the running of Downton for the sake of her son. And ther is old friend, Tony Gillingham, who is pushing for her to take a chance on love. Mary thinks she's not ready, but to her surprise a new acquaintance, Charles Blake, has also taken an interest in her.

I really enjoyed seeing the Mary that Matthew loved coming around again. She is still amazed that any one could love her so she is quite shocked and somewhat flattered by all of this attention. But I'm so glad that they haven't rushed her into another marriage and that whoever she chooses (or maybe doesn't choose!) will seem natural and right. My choice is Charles. He sees her as an intelligent and strong woman, especially with her committment to saving Downton. Tony, on the other hand, puts her on a pedestal. Charles will challenge her, like Matthew did. My favorite moment for Mary this season was seeing her making scrambled eggs for her and Charles after their night of saving the new pigs!



2. Daisy saying goodbye to Alfred and turning down a job in America

Over the years Daisy Mason has become one of my favorite characters. I sometimes think she is the wisest person in the entire house! She does sometimes let her feelings get a little out of control, but she really showed her worth when she finally faced Alfred after he left to become a chef in London. When Alfred comes back to Yorkshire for a visit, after Ivy turned down his marriage proposal, Daisy is given the day off so she doesn't run into him. But after a visit to her father-in-law she realizes that she needs to face Alfred one last time. She does so with grace and kindness. I don't think any of the Crawley family could have handled it any better.

And to finally showcase her new maturity, Daisy turns down a job as a cook in America, but encourages Ivy desire to take the job instead. You might think that Daisy just wants to get rid of Ivy, but she's actually quite happy to support Ivy's dreams of adventure. I don't think any of us would have thought Daisy would be so kind towards Ivy at the beginning of the season. She really has grown into a lovely young woman!

3. Tom the Outcast

If Tom Branson would have left England for America I might have considered quitting Downton Abbey. Was it not bad enough that my favorite character, Tom's wife Sybil, was killed in season 3?! The romance of Tom and Sybil was probably not that usual in England at the time, but it was a hard one not to be caught up in. But now that poor Tom is left to raise their daughter alone with a family that doesn't quite know what to make of him, you can't blame him for thinking of starting a new life in America. But luckily for us we start to see a bit more of that socialist chauffeur that we all loved. He's going to political meetings again and maybe he's even found a new love.

We begin to see a different attitude towards the aristocracy from Tom too that I'm sure he never thought he would have. One of the many things Downton Abbey does well is to portray characters as more than one dimensional. They are never all good or all bad. Through's Tom's eyes we see the silliness of the life of privilege, but we also see their human side. We then know why it's hard for Tom to leave these people.


4. Poor Edith

Hardly has there been an episode where I did not utter the phrase "Poor Edith." She is the poor, over looked middle child. Until she finally decides that only she could turn her life around does she find someone who loves her. But since this is Edith, misfortune still seems to find her. Now Michael, her beloved, has disappeared and she finds herself pregnant and unmarried. In 1922 this is not happy news. It was sad seeing her Aunt Rosamund talking her into going to the Continent to give away her baby when you knew it was not what Edith wanted for her child. We still don't know the whereabouts of Michael, but I was thrilled to see Edith take control of her life once again when she makes arrangements  to have one of the tenant farmers raise her daughter. This will definitely be a story line I'm looking forward to next season.


5. Paul Giamatti!

There isn't much to say about this other than one of my favorite actors was on one of my favorite shows! To find out why this makes me so happy, click here.


And just to finish it off, probably my favorite image of the whole season:

Mrs. Hughes and Carson at the seaside -- the beginning of a new romance?

From the Catalog:

- Downton Abbey -- season one [DVD]

- Downton Abbey -- season two [DVD]

- Downton Abbey -- season three [DVD]

- Downton Abbey -- season four [DVD]

- Downton Abbey: Selections [CD]

- Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection [CD]



--Post by Tracy

Staff Recommendation #27: Hail to the Chaff

A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Fathers and Others Who Let Freedom Swing 

By Michael Farquhar

With Presidents' Day just recently behind us, it seems like a good time to recommend a book that takes a novel approach to American political history.

Michael Farquhar is the author of one of my very favorite history books: A Treasury of Royal Scandals: The Shocking True Stories of History's Wickedest, Weirdest, Most Wanton Kings, Queens, Tsars, Popes, and Emperors. The book does exactly what it says on the tin, revealing the most scandalous of stories behind the history of Western Europe's royalty (with a few Russian kings and Roman emperors thrown in). Here, Farquhar takes the same approach with American history, unveiling some of the lesser-known faults, foibles, and follies of our presidents and politicians ... with hilarious and insightful results.

Read on for just a few of my personal favorite factoids from the book:

It's not easy being the president.

-- Despite her tombstone reading, "Mary, the Mother of Washington," Farquhar suggests that George Washington's mother might be better known as "the Bother of Washington." She pestered him constantly for money, nagged him for spending so much time away from home, and embarrassed him as publicly as possible. (She once petitioned the Virginia House of Delegates to come to her personal financial assistance.) She was known to be so pushy and miserable that some people theorized she was actually a secret Royalist, trying to undermine the American Revolution!

-- With a father as a former president, and as a president himself, maybe it's understandable that John Quincy Adams had high expectations for his children. Within reason. Of course, he maybe took it a little far, informing his sons (attending school at Harvard) that their "blast of mediocrity" was shaming the family name. He forbade them to come home until they ranked within the top six of their class, proclaiming that otherwise, "I would feel nothing but sorrow and shame in your presence." 

-- Warren Harding had a fatal flaw for a national leader: he was a people pleaser. His friends took advantage of him even after he gave them high-ranking government posts (actually, especially after he gave them high-ranking government posts). Harding's picks for government office ended up accepting bribes, stealing funds from the Veterans' Bureau, and instigating a little incident known as the Teapot Dome scandal. In regards to his presidency, Harding himself was quoted as saying, "My God, this is a hell of a job!  I can take care of my enemies all right. But my friends, my ... friends, they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!"

The Teapot Dome scandal. Caption:

"Who Says a Watched Pot Never Boils?"

-- Trying to pick just one Andrew Jackson duel out of his many encounters is a tough task. But perhaps his most famous (or infamous) challenge came in 1806, when Jackson faced off against a Tennessee lawyer named Charles Dickinson. As Dickinson was well-known to be the better shot, Jackson's strategy was to let the lawyer have the first chance. Dickinson's blow landed squarely in Jackson's chest -- but Jackson was apparently unfazed. Jackson fired back, and despite a faulty pistol hammer, emerged the victor. "I've had hit him," Jackson said later of Dickinson, "if he had shot me through the brain."

-- The first president to be impeached, Andrew Johnson inherited the presidency after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Stubborn and increasingly withdrawn, Johnson remained holed up in the White House, much to the consternation of the rest of the government and the country. But Johnson had his own personal duties to attend to: making friends with the White House mice. Taking pity on the rodents after his daughter had brought in cats, traps, and poison to rectify a mice infestation, Johnson stepped in to save the day. He began spreading flour out around the fireplace for the mice to snack on, then added other treats and dishes of water. He was eventually able to confide to one of his aides that he'd won the confidence and trust of "the little fellows." (Evidently, he won the confidence of the nation, as well, with the Senate failing to convict and Johnson retaining his presidency.)

Andrew Jackson, in one of his many, many, many duels

-- And we think our presidential campaigns get vicious ... in 1864, Harper's Weekly compiled a list of the insults that had been used against Abraham Lincoln by the Democratic supporters of his opponent, George B. McClellan. Among other things, Lincoln was referred to as: Filthy Story-Teller, Despot, Liar, Thief, Braggart, Buffoon, Usurper, Monster, Ignoramus Abe, Old Scoundrel, Perjurer, Robber, Swindler, Tyrant, Fiend, Butcher. (These, mind, were all from the North -- the South had their own selection.)

-- After leaving office in 1845, John Tyler returned to his Virginia estate. He lived a quiet life for fifteen years ... at which point he took up a cause during the Civil War. The rebel cause. The former president supported Virginia's secession from the Union, and was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives in 1861. The only reason he didn't make history as the only U.S. President to serve under two different governments was that he died just before taking office.

-- In the 1850s, it was reported that a Washington policeman arrested a drunken horseback rider for driving crazily down the streets and running over a pedestrian. All charges were dropped when the rider was identified. It was the current president of the United States: Franklin Pierce.


For more on these stories -- and many, many more -- be sure to check out A Treasury of Great American Scandals. History has never been so interesting.

From the Catalog:

- A Treasury of Great American Scandals -- [book]

- A Treasury of Great American Scandals -- [large print]

- A Treasury of Great American Scandals -- [e-audiobook]



-- Post by Ms. B

We Will Ragnarök You

It's pretty good timing. The newest Marvel Studios movie -- Thor: The Dark World -- is newly available through the Library Catalog this week. The film brings to life such characters as Thor, Odin, Frigga, and Loki -- the mythological figures from the Viking pantheon.

The DVD's been released just in time for Ragnarök -- the long-prophetized "Twilight of the Gods" that serves as the Viking apocalypse. According to mythology, Ragnarök comes about with the release of the wolf Fenrir and the giant snake Jörmungandr. The gods rise to fight the monsters and successfully defeat them -- though the gods themselves die in the process. (Norse mythology is not for the faint of heart.)

According to some experts, Ragnarök was predicted by the Vikings for this very Saturday, February 22. So in honor of the occasion, we're looking at the mythology behind some of our favorite Norse gods. (And be sure to check out Padraic Colum's take on the Twilight of the Gods for all the best Ragnarök coverage!)


Thor

Aside from being red-haired (not blonde), the mythological Thor is not so different from his comic book counterpart. A sky god, he wields the power of thunder and lightning when fighting his enemies (most often, the giants). He also has Mjölnir, the fancy-dancy hammer he can be seen wielding in his Chris Hemsworth incarnation. The defender of the gods, Thor also has a key role to play in Ragnarök, defeating the giant serpent Jörmungandr.

BEST MYTH: 
How Thor Triumphed - To hear Loki tell it, Thor gets into almost as much trouble as Loki himself. Still, the thunder god does alright on his own -- as he does in this tale, when he saves the day (and the gods' feast) through his own strength and cunning.



Odin

Known as the Allfather, Odin is the king of the gods and the ruler of Asgard (the gods' home). He was known as both a warrior god as well as the god of wisdom: he loses his eye not in battle, but rather gives it up as a sacrifice in his quest to drink from the Well of Mimir, which contains great knowledge and wisdom. He has two ravens named Thought and Memory, and rides an eight-legged horse called Slepnir.

BEST MYTH:
Odin Goes to Mimir's Well - Read all about Odin's journey to the well of wisdom, the first of his adventures as Vegtam the Wanderer.



Frigga

The wife of Odin, Frigga was queen of Asgard and Thor's stepmom. As Odin was often away, Frigga often lived in a palace of her own and spent much of her time alone, working at her spinning wheel. She was said to often have a melancholy about her, as she had the power to see the future (and the eventual downfall of the gods) -- though she never revealed what she saw.

BEST MYTH:
Odin Faces an Evil Man - Frigga and Odin are spending some time living on earth in the guise of mere mortals when they take in two foster children. Though Odin favors the more adventurous boy, Frigga dotes on the kid who's quiet and compassionate. It's not hard to guess which god is proven to be the best judge of character.



Loki

In the Marvel movies and comics, Loki is the adopted brother of Thor -- but in the original mythology, Loki is actually Thor's uncle. A trickster god (who's really a descendant of the giants), Loki is generally neither good nor evil, but rather a mischief-maker who spends as much time causing trouble as he does fixing it. His alliances seem to depend on the particular tale you're reading, and scholars have debated for centuries on his true role in Norse mythology.

BEST MYTH: 
Iduna and Her Apples - The gods of Asgard rely on the goddess Iduna, and the golden apples she grows, to maintain their youth and immortality. When Loki uses trickery to betray Iduna and save his own skin, it's only his wit and cunning that can rescue her -- making this story a good look into Loki's dual nature.

Asgard -- home of the gods

From the Catalog:

-- The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum

Using an overarching narrative, Colum weaves together the various short stories of Norse mythology into a (mostly) cohesive whole. A highly recommended primer.

-- Gods and Heroes from Viking Mythology by Brian Branston; illustrations by Giovanni Caselli.

This fully-illustrated anthology offers some richer details on the myths and legends of the Norse gods and giants.

-- The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology by Snorri Sturluson; translated by Jesse L. Byock
The Poetic Eddas: The Mythological Poems translated by Henry Adams Bellows

Want the complete, uncut text of the original myths?  Try these translations of the Prose and Poetic Eddas, which were compiled in the 13th century. Together, they comprise our primary sources of Norse mythological tales.

-- Favorite Norse Myths retold by Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Troy Howell.

Suitable for all ages, Osborne retells several tales from the Prose and Poetic Eddas. Her elegant prose is well-matched with lush illustrations from Howell.

Thor facing off against Jörmungandr, the "Midgard serpent"

From Around the Web:

-- Vikings Of The World, Unite In Battle: The Apocalypse Is Upon Us - from NPR. A look at the influences and inspirations for the Norse apocalypse.

-- The Apocalypse Starts Saturday, at Least According To The Vikings - Time Magazine offers some humorous advice for celebrating Ragnarök.

-- Save the Date: The Viking Apocalypse Ragnarok Happens This Weekend - Jezebel.com takes a look at the timing of Ragnarök.

-- Mythology Bookshelf - From Project Gutenberg. Check out an in-depth look at the Eddas online, as well as other mythological tales from cultures around the world.



-- Post by Ms. B

Staff Recommendation #26 : "S." by Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams

When I first heard that J. J. Abrams was co-creating a book, my inner fangirl went crazy! As readers of this blog may know I am a huge fan of Fringe, Lost, and Star Trek (2009), all either created or directed by Abrams. While I admit I have not seen everything he's been involved with, I give almost all of it a try. And I knew that S. would be another one of those that I would have to try.

S., conceived by Abrams and written by Doug Dorst, is a story within a story. One story is the physical book Ship of Theseus by V. M. Straka. The other is within the margins of Ship of Theseus, which tells the story of Jen, a college senior, and Eric, a graduate student at the same college.

Jen and Eric are trying to uncover the mystery surrounding Straka, the author of Ship of Theseus, while they are learning to trust each other and figure out what their futures hold. Jen stumbles upon the book in the college library only to discover that someone has been making notes in the margins. She decides to read the book herself and returns it with a message of her own. Thus begins their old fashioned correspondence and their friendship. They continue to communicate and try to solve the enigma that is Straka, through the margin notes and a variety of other items, such as postcards and letters (when there is too much to share in a margin).

Meanwhile, we are pulled into the mystery of the man, S, in Straka's book. S has no memory of his past but is reluctantly swept along with a group of revolutionaries. S ends up on a ship filled with a strange and intriguing crew that will be his home for many years, although it only feels like days to him. He is also desperately trying to find his way back to the woman who captured his heart so long ago.



I'm not going to get into what these stories represent because I don't think that I have that figured out. Sad to say, but the idea of this book had me more excited than the book itself. I don't regret reading it, but it's not a book to be taken lightly.

One of the most important things to know about reading S., is that you probably should have a strategy for reading. Theories abound on the internet on the best way to approach it. Some say read Ship of Theseus the whole way through and then only go back and read the margin notes and ephemera. Others say read a chapter and then the notes. While others insist on reading the margin notes along with Ship of Theseus. My strategy changed while I read it which I think affected my feelings on this book.

My overall recommendation though is that if you love books - how they look, how they feel, even how they smell - then you should take a chance on S., you won't be disappointed.

-- Get S. from the catalog.



--Post by Tracy

The Books of Blume

On February 12, author Judy Blume celebrated her 76th birthday. Known primarily for such young adult novels as Iggie's House; Deenie; Then Again, Maybe I Won't; and Forever, Blume has written novels for children, tweens, and teenagers -- and used them to address a variety of real-life issues.

Tackling such topics as puberty, religion, sexuality, racism, bullying, and family dynamics, Blume's books have frequently found themselves on the list of challenged titles in school and public libraries around the country. But it's also her realism and honesty about the trials and triumphs of growing up that's made her a best-selling author for over forty years.

So in honor of her birthday, I'm highlighting five of my personal favorite Blume reads. Enjoy!



Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing

Blume's Fudge books have long been among her most popular titles. The series stars nine-year-old Peter Warren Hatcher, who's got one little problem in life: his two-year-old brother, Farley, aka Fudge. (Hey, if your name was "Farley," you might go by "Fudge," too.)

Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing kicks off the four-book series with tales of Fudge destroying homework, making a flying attempt from the playground jungle gym, going on a hunger strike, and mimicking Peter's every move. But when Peter's pet turtle goes missing (and you'll never guess where), it takes the whole family to make things right. 

-- Get Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing from the Catalog

-- Get the audiobook on CD or cassette Catalog



Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret

The title's been famous enough to be referenced by episode titles of South Park and The Venture Bros., and has been satirized by authors Chuck Palahniuk and Chelsea Handler. Blume's book takes its title from the main character, who uses the phrase to kick off her conversations with God.

With a Christian mother and a Jewish father, sixth-grader Margaret is trying to navigate both her own spiritual beliefs, as well as the trials and tribulations of puberty. From physical changes to emotional ones, the book takes an honest look at the process of growing up -- including learning how to voice your own opinions.

-- Get Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret from the Catalog

-- Get the audiobook on CD or cassette from the Catalog



Blubber

Fifth-grader Linda is the most picked-upon member of Mrs. Minish's class, and when she gives a science report on whales, her nickname is sealed. Everyone bullies her -- well, maybe not Jill, but Jill's not much worried about sticking up for Linda, either.

When Jill and her best friend play a prank on a cranky neighbor and end up caught, everyone's convinced it's "Blubber" who tattled on Jill. The whole class promptly puts Linda on trial for her "crime," leaving Jill to make some hard decisions about whose side she should really be on. With Jill as our narrator, this book becomes not just about bullies and their victims, but also about the problem with standing on the sidelines -- and deciding whether or not to stand up for someone.


-- Get Blubber from the Catalog

-- Get the audiobook on CD or cassette from the Catalog

It's Not the End of the World

Published in 1972 -- when divorce was not yet legal in all states -- sixth-grader Karen has decided she's never going to get married. After all, everybody knows that marriage makes you miserable: just look at her parents for the proof. But despite their constant fighting, their announcement of an impending divorce still shocks Karen to her core.

Karen tries everything she can think of to keep her parents together, from faking an illness to sending anniversary cards. Her dad moves out. Her older brother (briefly) runs away. Her mother announces they're moving. Karen can't stop the changes -- but she can, at least, find a way to realize that things will eventually get better. Though the divorce laws are different now, this book remains timeless.


-- Get It's Not the End of the World from the Catalog

-- Get the audiobook on CD from the Catalog

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

This light, humorous read shares the same sense of fun as the Fudge books -- which makes sense, since Sheila is Fudge's older cousin. While Fudge (and Peter) view Sheila as a pest, here we meet a character who uses the appearance of cocky self-confidence to mask her various fears: she's terrified of spiders, dogs, and swimming, to name but a few. 

Despite a summer vacation that involves all three of her worst phobias, Sheila's convinced she's got the world fooled ... until she and her friends set to work making slambooks for each other. Realizing her friends have a different opinion of her than she realized, Sheila's eventually inspired to start chipping away at her fears -- with surprising results.

-- Get Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great from the Catalog

-- Get the audiobook on CD or cassette from the Catalog

-- Post by Ms. B

The Game is On

From Basil Rathbone to Jonny Lee Miller, filmed adaptations abound that take Sherlock Holmes -- and his loyal friend, partner, and biographer, Dr. Watson -- out of their native Victorian London and place them in a different world. From the Second World War to the 1980s to the twenty-second century, the idea of thrusting Holmes and Watson into new and unchartered territory has proven irresistible.

Enter Sherlock, a television series produced by the BBC which places Holmes and Watson in 21st century London. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson, the series (which airs only three episodes per season) has quickly become one of the most popular adaptations of Conan Doyle's stories and characters.

Season Two ended at quite the cliffhanger, with fans waiting nearly two years to see how Sherlock had "survived the fall." In this entry, we're taking a look back at the third and newest season of the show, which just finished airing on PBS last week.

Beware: Mild spoilers for previous seasons ahead!



EPISODE 1: THE EMPTY HEARSE

MS. B: In the original Conan Doyle stories, The Adventure of the Empty House features a Sherlock Holmes returning from his presumed death at the hands of Professor Moriarty three years before. The moment in which he reveals himself alive and well to his dear friend, Dr. Watson, is as fantastical as it heartwarming. "My dear Watson," begins Holmes, "I owe you a thousand apologies."

Most fans were disappointed in Empty Hearse for failing to give a definitive explanation of how Sherlock survived his jump off the top of St. Bartholomew's Hospital at the end of Season Two. But my disappointment was for a different reason -- we never get any real emotion. In this adaptation, Sherlock never sees fit to apologize for leaving his friend behind to mourn for the previous two years; in fact, he "wins" John's forgiveness not through a heartfelt apology, but trickery. Unfortunately, this lack of consequences for any of Sherlock's actions bleeds through the rest of the episode, as we discover that Moriarty had never been a real threat and that the crimes Sherlock was framed for last season have been brushed aside. With no consequences and no follow-through, the whole outing, at least for me, fell rather flat.

TRACY: I had been waiting almost two years for this episode, and it did not disappoint. Well, at least not in character development. The "mystery" was a little weak, but that was something I could overlook. What everyone wanted to know was, how did Sherlock survive -- and we sort of got the answer. Overall, I was very happy with this episode. Mostly I was just thrilled to be seeing Sherlock and John together again!



EPISODE 2: THE SIGN OF THREE

MS. B: Everything Empty Hearse got wrong for me, Sign of Three gets right. The previous episode had introduced us to Mary Morstan, John Watson's fiancée. This episode centers squarely on John and Mary's wedding, with the mystery coming into play thanks to the story Sherlock tells during his best man toast.

The way in which Sherlock's mystery-storytelling weaves into the episode's third act is clever and fun. But the real joy of this episode is in showing us a Sherlock who truly has changed from his "Reichenbach Fall" of the previous season. Still grumpy and callous, Sherlock nonetheless does his level-best to play his part as best man to the fullest, from a mathematically-calculated bachelor party to an outlined toast that leaves the reception guests in tears. His genuine care allows us to see the real friendship between the detective and the doctor, and his determination to place both John and Mary under his protection is truly touching. This is a changed Sherlock, indeed -- and an episode fully worth watching.

TRACY: At first viewing, I didn't think that I cared a whole lot for The Sign of Three, but after some discussions with friends, I realized that it was far more clever than I had realized. I think I was a little disillusioned with it initially, because I figured out the mystery before Sherlock did -- and that just shouldn't happen! Again, this is very much about watching the relationships grow and evolve.



EPISODE 3: HIS LAST VOW

MS. B: The final episode in the season ties together several threads, from both the original Conan Doyle stories and from the show's own previous episodes. The plot centers heavily on the mystery this time, showcasing this season's "Big Bad" -- Charles Augustus Magnussen, a blackmailer who deals in secrets and information. But Magnussen is not the only central mystery to be unraveled. Sherlock and John uncover a secret that could be the undoing of both of them, leaving Sherlock gravely injured and John fighting to protect his new wife.

The final solution, which showcases Sherlock making a horrifying sacrifice in order to protect his friends, left me a trifle uneasy. (Sherlock Holmes has always been something of a vigilante, but the lengths he proves willing to go here may push the character too dark.) Still, it was good to see Sherlock and John operating as a team once again, with a kind of mutual understanding we haven't seen since Season One's "The Great Game." Best of all, the ending held the promise of more satisfying adventures to come in future seasons.

TRACY: This is where everything paid off for me, and actually gave me a new perspective on the two previous episodes. There was still lots of character development. Plus, we got a new villain, one that Sherlock especially despises. Also, there were more twists and turns than the first two episodes had -- and a ending that, while not as shocking as season two's ending, was still quite surprising.



Check out past seasons from the Catalog:

"Sherlock" -- Series One

"Sherlock" -- Series Two



-- Post by Ms. B and Tracy

The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show - 50th Anniversary

Ed Sullivan with the Beatles

On February 9th, 1964, one of the most defining moments in the history of American television occurred. That was the night that the Beatles made there first appearance on U.S. television. Teenagers, and their parents, were never the same again.

Two days earlier, the Beatles made their triumphant arrival in the United States. They were already huge stars in their native England, but they were only starting to become known in the U.S. They had just released their first U.S. album, Introducing ... The Beatles, in January. With the success of their first single, I Want To Hold Your Hand, U.S. television could no longer ignore the mop-top group anymore.

In 1964, The Ed Sullivan Show was the most popular show on television. It was the show to be on as an entertainer. There wasn't a better place for The Beatles to make their American debut.

Read on to find out more about this eventful night:

-- How Ed Sullivan met The Beatles: 5 things to know about Beatlemania - from CNN. Some basic facts about Ed Sullivan and how he helped make the Beatles famous.

-- The Beatles' most memorable moments in NYC include 'Ed Sullivan' Show, landing at JFK - From The New York Daily News. Lists The Beatles' most memorable moments of all time in New York City.

-- The Beatles: Backstage at "The Ed Sullivan Show"- from CBS News. A slideshow of photos from The Beatles' appearance in 1964.

-- The Beatles American Debut on The Ed Sullivan Show 1964 - From The Official Ed Sullivan Site. A short synopsis of that eventful broadcast, plus a very short clip from their performance.

-- Watch Rare Beatles Footage From 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964 - From Rolling Stone. This includes the original performances of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" from the February 9th, 1964 show in New York.

-- CBS News marking Beatles anniversary with live multimedia event - From CBS News. This symposium will be streamed live from The Ed Sullivan Theatre the CBS News website.

-- The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles - From CBS. A celebration of the Beatles' 50th anniversary appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" will be broadcast on CBS this Sunday, February 9th at 8PM.

-- How Well Do You Know The Beatles? Take the Quiz! -- From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A multi-level quiz of Beatles trivia.

From the Catalog:

-- "The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring the Beatles" [DVD] -- The complete and uncut shows of The Beatles' first appearance, along with their three other appearances.

-- "The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit" [DVD] -- A day-by-day account of the group's first U.S. tour, including the Ed Sullivan appearances.

-- "Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics" [DVD] -- A collection of early rock and roll legends performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, which includes performances by The Beatles.

-- "Please Please Me" [CD] -- The Beatles' first album released in the U.K. in 1963 (many of these same songs would be released on the album "Introducing...The Beatles" in the U.S. in 1964).

-- "Rubber Soul" [CD] -- This 1965 release shows a much more mature-sounding band. Includes hits such as Michelle, Norwegian Wood, and Nowhere Man.

-- "Abbey Road" [CD] -- This was the final Beatles album to be recorded (although not the final album to be released). It includes more songwriting from George Harrison (Here Comes the Sun and Something) and is considered by many to be The Beatles' best album.


Click here for other CDs from the Collection.

Click here for other DVDs from the Collection.

Click here for books from the collection.



--Post by Tracy

A Woman Called Moses

She is remembered as one of the most famous conductors of the Underground Railroad, helping to smuggle dozens of people out of slavery and into safety. But she was also an abolitionist, a Union spy during the Civil War, and spent the last years of her life aiding the poor and aged.

Escaping from slavery in 1849, Harriet Tubman would return to the South first to rescue members of her family, then, later, to help strangers to freedom. She is believed to have rescued over 300 people along the Underground Railroad -- and that's not counting the 750 slaves Tubman helped the Union army to rescue in a South Carolina raid during the Civil War. When she died, she was buried with military honors at the Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York.

Read on to learn more about the life and legacy of this amazing woman:

Online Resources:

-- Harriet Tubman - a biography from History.com (the History Channel's official website). Includes videos and a photo gallery.

-- Harriet Tubman - another look at Tubman's life, featured by Biography.com.

-- Tubman: Civil War Spy - this all-ages article from National Geographic Kids tells the story of Tubman's role in the Civil War: "the first woman in American history to lead a military expedition." (The article mentions the book Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent -- click here to get it from the Library!)

-- Harriet Tubman - from America's Library. An all-ages look at the life and stories of Harriet Tubman, from the Library of Congress.

-- Harriet Tubman's Amazing Grace - from Smithsonian Magazine. A closer look at an artifact from Tubman's past.

-- Petition of Harriet Tubman - Despite her service during the Civil War, Tubman was not awarded any benefits for her service (drawing, instead, a small widow's pension given to her for her husband's war service). See scans of the affidavit which Tubman presented to Congress, petitioning for her rightful benefits.

-- Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged - from the National Park Service. Read more about the home Tubman helped open to aged and impoverished African Americans in the last years of her life.

-- The New Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park - this Maryland state park, slated to open next year, commemorates the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.

From the Catalog:

-- Harriet Tubman: Imagining a Life by Beverly Lowry.

-- Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton.

-- Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero by Kate Clifford Larson.

-- Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory, and History by Milton C. Sernett.


Other Resources from the Catalog:

-- Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Kadir Nelson. A beautifully-illustrated picture book for all ages, about Tubman's first trip north to freedom.

-- They Shall Run: Harriet Tubman Poems by Quraysh Ali Lansana.

-- A Woman Called Moses [DVD] - starring Cicely Tyson as Tubman.



-- Post by Ms. B