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Leon Uris bristled when accused of historical distortion

  Leon Uris prided himself on being a popular historian who did his homework, as well as being a bestselling novelist. However,  Arts columnist Brian Brennan dared to question the accuracy of his historical research. An excerpt of Brennan’s Brief Encounters column: From High School Dropout to Brand-name Novelist: Leon Uris: I must admit I came loaded for bear when I went to interview bestselling American author Leon Uris. Earlier, I had written a negative review of Trinity, his 751-page novel dealing with Northern Ireland’s politics of violence. After spending the first 23 years of my life in Dublin, I figured I knew

Calamity: Why are some communities burnished while others burn?

Why do some communities collapse amid calamity — while others thrive? Why are some burnished, and others burned? Iceland offers lessons for all in troubled times. American architect Johanna Hoffman investigates in Survival Lessons in Iceland’s Resilience. An excerpt: HEIMAY, Iceland – The grassy slopes above this small Icelandic fishing town exploded with lava and ash 41 years ago. Rolling meadows erupted into a raw volcano and columns of 2,000º molten rock burst from the Earth. The surprise five-month eruption nearly destroyed the town. Yet residents found ways to not only return but benefit from the devastation. That Heimay’s townspeople bounced back with

Judy Collins: “I ain’t a folksinger. I’m a singer.”

The song Amazing Grace was and continues to be a staple of Judy Collins’s concert repertoire. However, when she performed a concert in Calgary, she never got to sing it.  Arts columnist Brian Brennan. explains why. An excerpt of Brennan’s Brief Encounters column, “Amazing Grace”: Judy Collins (paywall): Before American Idol there was the Kiwanis International Talent Search. The year was 1956, the place was Denver, Colorado. Sixteen-year-old Judy Collins won first prize singing an English folk ballad, Pretty Saro, at a regional talent contest jointly sponsored by Kiwanis clubs in Colorado and three other American states. For accompaniment she used a rented

Ebola panic overshadows far more deadly diseases

  The Ebola panic overshadows far more deadly diseases, points out International Affairs columnist Jonathan Manthorpe. In recent weeks Ebola has tweaked our primal fears of the first Horseman of the Apocalypse, Pestilence. Politicians, world health officials and the media are near hysteria. It all reminds Manthorpe of his earlier run-in with the Black Death. An excerpt of his new column, Ebola’s first casualty: clear thinking (paywall*): The email message that arrived in my office in Hong Kong throbbed with the near hysteria of the editor who wrote it. “Jonathan,” it said, “there’s an outbreak of the Black Death in India. Please get

Fresh Sheet and Classics on F&O

 No monkeying around: animal’s rights. By Alasdair Cochrane A United States appeals court is currently hearing the case of a chimpanzee named Tommy and is to decide if he has the right to bodily integrity and liberty, just like a person. The case, brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project, which is concerned about Tommy’s living conditions, is hugely significant. The questions debated in this New York court have implications beyond the question of whether former circus animal Tommy should be moved from the shed in which he is held captive to a chimp sanctuary with conditions more conducive to his well-being. What is

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