Click the Ringmaster to read the story.
‘THE CIRCUS’ COMES TO PBS THIS WEEK!
STEP RIGHT UP! In October, PBS is debuting three major documentaries that explore Americans’ evolving awareness of diversity. The lineup starts Monday, October 8, with the first of the two-part, four-hour film, The Circus.
In our review of The Circus, we describe some of the truly amazing people you will meet—from a female daredevil who was an international star as an aerialist until a tragic accident—to the first African-American Ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson.
In our Cover Story, you’ll also learn about two other must-see documentaries coming later this month. One reveals the American campaign to promote eugenics—a ruthless effort to purify the human race—until Nazi Germany demonstrated the horrors behind that concept. The other is a dazzling four-hour tour of ancient Native American civilizations, connecting their grandeur at the zenith of these early civilizations to the hopes of Native peoples today.
.
.
To read the story, click this photo of Suzy with one of Marilyn’s hand-made quilts.
‘Friend to Almost Everybody’
GodSigns—Each week, Suzy Farbman lifts our spirits by introducing us to remarkable men and women who share one thing in common: They make our world a better place, day by day. Often, they find a Spirit moving in their lives in unexpected ways. There’s no better example of that than artist—and the gracious matriarch of her family—Marilyn Silver.
Wherever she went, even poking around a second-hand sale, Marilyn Silver envisioned creative possibilities. May it be so with all of us, hmmm?
..
.
Everyone Loves Faygo
TRUE TASTE OF DETROIT—Joe Grimm is best known to our readers as the Michigan State University School of Journalism professor behind the series 100 Questions about … That series is helping communities nationwide to overcome myths and biases about minorities.
Now, Joe’s latest project is a love-letter to Detroit’s own Faygo soft drinks in a colorful new volume, The Faygo Book. Recently, Joe talked about Faygo and his new book in a TV-news report. He also was profiled in a Q&A published in Corp! business magazine.
In coming months, he’s barn-storming Michigan with public appearances. Among the dozens of events, here are a couple of options in October: On Oct. 17, he will be at the Warren Public Library. On Oct. 20, he will be at the Detroit Public Library.
..
.
Click on Haley Stevens’ photo to read the story.
‘A Lot Better than Screaming at Your TV’
RODNEY CURTIS—Author, photographer, activist and “recovering journalist” Rodney Curtis (and his wife Marci who collaborated with him in this column) bring us some sage advice about channeling our frustration with American political feuding these days. Marci urges us “to do things that are good for your soul, that help others along the way instead of just ranting—it’s part of the healing process.” Wise and timely words! There also are signs of hope in the Curtises’ column this week. Please, share this with friends.
.
.
Click the turkey to read the story.
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
CANADIAN THANKSGIVING—American Thanksgiving is still nearly two months away, but our Canadian friends already are ushering in this season of harvest festivals.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH—We devoted an entire Cover Story on October 1 to this important month, which touches the lives of millions of American families. You’ll find helpful tips as well as an inspirational boost in our interview with Jeanine Patten-Coble, the author of Struck by Hope. Jeanine’s ideas just might transform your response to this month from casual awareness—to real engagement.
NAVARATRI—On October 9, Hindus begin the nine-night religious festival known as Sharad Navaratri—an ancient festival that emphasizes the motherhood of the divine.
Click the photo to read about Dussehra.
DUSSEHRA—Later in October,
the festival of Navaratri culminates in the most celebrated holiday of all nine nights: Dasara or Dussehra (spellings vary). From the Sanskrit words for “remover of bad fate,” today’s Dussehra brings towering effigies to the streets of India, along with a host of ancient stories and traditions that vary regionally. Stephanie Fenton has the story.
ALLHALLOWTIDE, SAMHAIN, DIA DE LOS MUERTES—Are you already preparing for this cluster of holidays at the end of October? Stephanie Fenton’s column has all the background, fresh ideas—and a dozen helpful links to find DIY projects and great recipes.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
.
.
FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING
THE MYSTERIES OF METADATA, PART 2
Thanks to all the readers who contacted us about last week’s column by Susan Stitt, which explains why book sales depend on a largely invisible file called “metadata.” This week, David Crumm explains how authors and publishers carefully craft the “Description” of a new book. It’s such an important and complex challenge that we devote a lot of time to perfecting those short texts. These weekly columns are designed to help writers—and to unveil the mysteries of book marketing to readers, as well.
Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
.
.
.
FAITH & FILM: Ed McNulty
Learn more about the October 2018 issue.
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:
- SMALLFOOT—Ed gives this movie 5 out of 5 stars and writes: “I was not enthusiastic about watching one more animated film until, at an advanced screening, two song clips from the film were played ahead of the feature. They instantly changed me into an eager advocate for the film.”
- OPERATION FINALE—This is a true story of justice delayed, but not denied. Once again, filmmakers explore the Israeli capture of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina.
THE WIFE—Glenn Close is magnificent in this dramatic story of the complex relationship between a world-famous author and his wife, based on the novel by Meg Wolitzer. (4.5 stars)- A STAR IS BORN—You may be wondering whether it is worth seeing this newest version of the Hollywood chestnut. Ed says he was very impressed with Bradley Cooper’s new approach to remaking this classic tale. (5 stars)
- GOD FRIENDED ME—Ed writes, “You might recall my enthusiasm for the first few episodes of Living Biblically, but which the more I saw of it, the less I liked it. The pilot for this new serious also starts out well, and its more serious approach, interspersed with humor, bodes well.
- THE BOOKSHOP—Ed writes, “Adapted by the director from a novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, the story is set in 1959 in the fictional town of Hardborough on the coast of Suffolk. The tale of an outsider up against entrenched power she does not comprehend, it is a sad story that nonetheless ends on a positive note when we realize who the narrator is.” (5 stars)
- THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST—Ed awards 4.5 out of 5 stars for this film about a young lesbian sent to endure conversion therapy in 1993.
- BLACKkKLANSMAN—Based on the memoir of policeman Ron Stallworth, Spike Lee has written and directed one of the most important films of the year. (5 stars)
.
.
.
.
.
.
