How Our Greatest Writer Was Enshrined in the Heavens

THE SHAKESPEARE JUBILEE—Who is the greatest writer in the English-speaking world? William Shakespeare, of course! However, there was a time—many years, in fact—when Shakespeare was all but forgotten. Now, historian Andrew McConnell Stott brings us the delightful story of the year when daring British entrepreneurs joined forces with Britain’s greatest actor to officially seal Shakespeare’s reputation for all time. After their Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769, a worldwide fascination with his plays arose that eventually evolved into today’s almost universal regard of The Bard’s original works as Holly Writ.

This is a true story full of all the greed, pride, envy, lust—and also the loftiest purity of passion—that are the highlights of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. This is also a true account of ruthless media professionals flocking to a public spectacle both to the detriment and to the enduring benefit of Shakespeare’s most fervent fans.

.

A Courageous Prophet of Free Speech

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES JR.—A fascinating new biography of the great American Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. coincides with the centennial of his historic dissent in a free-speech case. While he wrote as the loser in a 7-to-2 ruling against a group of supposedly dangerous immigrants, Holmes soon proved to be right in his vigorous defense of free speech. For 12 years, ReadTheSpirit magazine has published weekly issues highlighting the best in new books and films related to religious and cultural diversity. Many of Holmes’ arguments form the American legal basis for welcoming such diversity. He was not a religious or cultural leader, but his writing often invokes a higher power—and the higher calling of his vocation.

.

.

Speaking of Heroes …

COLUMNIST SUZY FARBMAN, this week, tells the inspiring story of Elyse Foltyn and her family, devastated by the Holocaust. The few survivors who managed to evade the Nazis built new lives, but carried with them the powerful message of the need to remember. Elyse’s father eventually dedicated his life to this effort and, today, Elyse talks about how all of us need to help preserve the memories of loved ones.

Elyse says, “Sooner or later, every one walks through pain. The point is not to come out empty-handed.” Our goal should be “to develop a greater appreciation of life … to become more empathetic and kind.” Please, after you enjoy Suzy’s column, share it with friends.

.

And, Speaking of the Power of Media …

WHAT ARE EDITING STYLES? For at least 1,000 years, book styles have varied across regions, cultures and generations. As our Cover Story about the Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769 points out—editors and publishers always have felt free to adapt original works. In our Front Edge Publishing column this week, Dmitri Barvinok explains the concept of “editing styles”—an important part of the media profession that is little known to most readers. (This photo shows a Muslim master calligrapher teaching his style to students.)

.

.

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

EASTER

EASTERN or ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS are still looking ahead to their Easter, or Pascha. this week. Stephanie Fenton’s Easter column circles the globe.

PASSOVER

TRADITIONAL SEDER meals already have taken place, but Passover extends through this week. Stephanie’s column is packed with fascinating stories for our Jewish—and especially for our non-Jewish—readers. Want to greet Jewish friends, neighbors or co-workers? Stephanie explains what is appropriate.

RAMADAN

Already, Muslim families are planning ahead for the many changes they will experience in the fasting month of Ramadan. This observance follows a lunar calendar and continues to move “earlier” each year. In addition, the start of Ramadan often varies, based on sightings of the moon around the world. The best estimate of the starting evening in 2019 is Monday, May 5—with the first full day of fasting on Monday, May 6.

.

.

Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:

• GLORIA BELL—Ed describes this new film starring Julianne Moore to feeling like a female-focused version of the classic Zorba the Greek. (4 out of 5 stars)
• APOLLO 11—Ed writes, “Documentarian Todd Douglas Miller’s film provides the viewer with a you-are-there feeling in this chronicle of the history making moon mission.” (5 stars)
• MARY MAGDALENE—Australian director Garth Davis gives us a fresh take on the life of the most famous woman among Jesus’s followers. Davis got some things right—and other plot twists are wrong, writes Ed. (4 stars)

• THE PUBLIC—Ed writes: “Director-writer Emilio Estevez gives us a delightful visual parable of justice and creative resistance to ‘the principalities and powers.’ If you enjoyed his thoughtful films Bobby and The Way, you will appreciate this film dealing with issues of homelessness, media exploitation, and decision making under pressure.” (4.5 stars)
• CAPTIVE STATE—This suspenseful science fiction tale of aliens taking over with a base in a futuristic Chicago is designed to raise questions about the dangers of authoritarian regimes, writes Ed. (5 stars)
• RUBEN BRANDT—Ed writes, “Director /writer Milorad Krstic’s story is goofy, and in the last part a bit thin, but this is not the primary reason for anyone to see this animated comedy. It is the exquisite detail of the mixture of hand-drawn and computer-generated animation that mimics so well the styles of dozens of artists.” (4.5 stars)
• HOTEL MUMBAI—This film about a 2008 terrorist attach in Mumbai is definitely harrowing, but also fascinating, says Ed. (4.5 stars)
• THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND—If you’ve got access to Netflix, then you can watch this terrific film today. Ed gives it 5 out of 5 stars and urges us not to miss it.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.