Who is Peter Ackroyd? Biographer, Historian, Poet, Novelist, Etc. Eccentric

Who is Peter Ackroyd?

Hmmm ... let me think.  Is he the guy in the photograph below?

Nope!  But you're close!  

The guy in the photo below is Charles Dickens.  Peter Ackroyd wrote a biography about Dickens.  He also wrote a bio about William Shakespeare, in case the mention about the Charles Dickens bio is not impressive enough.  :)  If that's not impressive enough, then if you like biographies or biographical notes about celebrated, it might interest you to know that he wrote a bunch of books about famous people like Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Isaac Newton, and more.  

His series is called Ackroyd's Brief Lives.

 

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Peter Ackroyd is an author. A word to describe him? Eccentric. There was another word used to describe him but it wasn’t very complimentary (my opinion), and as such, won’t be mentioned by me.  A few synonyms for eccentric are: odd, bizarre, outlandish, peculiar, weird and strange. Sounds like he lives in Austin, Texas. But he currently resides in England.  Eccentric? I’ll say. He writes using a pen and paper in longhand. That’s insane! Nobody does that anymore!

“It’s just the way I work”, he says.

Well fine then, Mr. Ackroyd. You certainly can’t be accused of not working.  Peter Ackroyd’s body of writings include: poetry, bibliographies of notable persons like T.S. Eliot, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare, a series of history books for children, a collection of English ghost stories, and several novels. He even retold Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and wrote a libretta for an opera.  His current projects include:  the completion of  six volumes of the History of England, a few more novels, and a biography of Alfred Hitchock.

Where does he find the time?  Uh … that’s all he does, all day and all night.  He says he isn’t much interested in socializing and reserves two Sundays in the month for some interaction with people.  Most of the time, it’s just him and his books.

Has Mr. Ackroyd written so many books you don’t know where to begin?  Start here: The Trial of Elizabeth Cree; a murder mystery, the setting is 1880 Victorian London; a woman is accused of poisoning her husband.

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Reference:
Rosen, Jody. “Man of Many Words: Up Close and Personal with Peter Ackroyd …” T: New York Times Style Magazine 15 Sept. 2013: 110-14. Print. Men’s Fashion Issue, Arts and Letters

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Peter Ackroyd books are available ~ Save up to 90% at BiggerBooks.com

 

Did Alexander the Great Think He Was Great?

Alexander the Great, a historical figure that many people like to write or talk about.  Name written in history or not, every human being is just an A-O-P (“another ordinary person.”) Most ordinary people and extraordinary people usually want the same thing. To be happy.  

Do you wonder sometimes if Alexander thought he great?

Here is what you see when you look up close at this son of a king.

• He was a teenager when he started out on the path wherein he was determined to become a memorable military and political leader, whom generals even to this day study to improve their leadership skills and abilities.

Eh! Not really. His dad didn’t like him and wanted to get him out of his face, so he sent him away to fight! No matter who you are, if one or both of your parents don’t like you, that messes with your head!

• He was dead by the time he reached his early 30s.

There are different stories about his death, but if you ask me, I say his mind and body just burned out!

When you look at him up close, you may be moved to think, ‘How awful!!’

There are different stories about how he died, but how he lived wasn’t really all that great either!

By contrast to my own life.

• At age 16, I was just figuring out who I was and what I wanted to be. 1972 marked the year I graduated from high school and my first year at the University of Miami. Also, my beloved father passed away. He was taken away from me, but he never sent me away from him.

• By the time I was in my 30s, I had been happily married to the man of my dreams, with kids, for about a decade. Seems to me like Alexander the Great had a sad life and didn’t do much living at all! After 15 years of nothing but fighting and killing, maybe he was thinking: ‘This is my life? What’s so great about it?’
  

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Related or Similar Articles:
The Seven Kings of Rome
Alexander the Great: God-King or Mere Mortal?

Ten Facts About Alexander the Great (and One Observation)
Ancient Greek and Roman Statues Shown in Their True Colors

Content first published at Literacy Base on April 4, 2017.

Alexander the Great - Boogie Man or Immortal? : Joie de Vivre Magazine ~ https://t.co/GFAlxl8JQH #militaryleaders #ancientGreece #History #lifestyleblogger #alexanderthegreat #ancienthistory #myths and #legends pic.twitter.com/xRbQyboECL

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) August 31, 2019

Another of #AlexanderTheGreat's many #Alexandria's found in #Iraq with #drone #tech.#Secrets Of #Drone #Archaeologyhttps://t.co/YRUTTZPUDU

— CelebrateGreece.com (@CelebrateGreece) August 26, 2019

The Death of #AlexandertheGreat: One of History's Great #UnsolvedMysteries https://t.co/8Fym6nwyM9 via @lithub #history #Greece #persia #Babylon

— CorneliaAmiri (@CorneliaAmiri) August 28, 2019

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10 Hackers Who Drastically Changed the World (Reblog)

#1 is Julian Assange ... #10 is Anonymous

"Yes, literally. While hacking is as amoral as science or mathematics, and therefore couldn't possibly be morally wrong, it is indeed literally wrong. Hacking, in the broadest sense of the word, is to attempt to interact with a system (any system) in a clever, innovative, and challenging way that the system was not intended to be interacted with, or the wrong way."

10 "Hackers" who Drastically Changed the World: for Better or Worse?

10 Hackers who Drastically Changed the World: for Better or Worse?

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Related (historical reference) articles:

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Entertainment: Books: Biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien

Anyone who has done even scant research on John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 – 1973) knows that even though he was a very private man, there is no shortage of biographical information about this famous British writer and medievalist. Hardcover, paperback, digital and audiobooks, letters, and other materials abound. His son, Christopher Tolkien (1924 - 2020) was is extremely protective of the legacy of his father and has only ever authorized one official biography. His father is highly respected as a literary hero and a mythmaker, and he wanted to keep it that way!

Image credit:  Hobbit House, Movie Set, New Zealand: Photo by Jeff Finley on Unsplash

Understandable, however, that did not stop others from publishing their unauthorized unofficial versions. (Even moi! I tried my hand at publishing an unauthorized biographical sketch.) These unapproved life stories (see listing below.) are just as appreciated by Tolkien fans, as the approved biography written by Humphrey Carpenter. Furthermore, the commercialization of  “all things Tolkien” may have started with the success of the “Lord of the Rings” books, but when these works were adapted to film, Tolkien fever infected the masses around the world. A loyal Tolkien-ite can not only build their own personal library, but can purchase puzzles, games, collectibles, and more!!

Tolkien: The Authorized Biography

Unauthorized Tolkien Biographies  ( Name of Author )

• J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century ( Tom Shippey )
• Tolkien: Man and Myth, a Literary Life ( Joseph Pearce )
• J. R. R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend ( Colin Duriez )

• Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ( Anne E. Neimark )
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator ( Wayne G. Hammond )

>BR>

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

10 Must-Read Inspiring Biographies of Business Leaders Recommended by Entrepreneur.com

Entrepreneur.com invites you to glean from the pages of the lives of the 10 Must-Read Inspiring Biographies of Business Leaders

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Reading real biographies is awesome!
But creating fake biographies sure sounds like fun!
This teacher suggests using a tool to study biographies differently.  The tool is called "Fakebook".  Just pretend you work for the CIA and you're making up a fake dossier. :)

Bio-Snapshot: Former Fitness Pro, Lisa Lowe

So! Just in case you were wondering what the end result would be if you combined bodybuilding and ballet training, look at the photographs below.  You might end up looking like former fitness pro Lisa Lowe.  Don’t know much about this person, but came across an interesting bio-snapshot of this lady. Collecting biographies (mini-bios, actually) is one of my hobbies. Most of the time my findings are shared via Pinterest. Sometimes, the links are recycled via other social media networks or at one of my blogs.  Ms. Lowe is no longer a professional competitor; she is married, a mother of two and resides in California.  If you are thinking about following in her footsteps, all I can say: She sure set the bar really high!! :)

• Read about IFBB Fitness Pro and Fitness Model – Lisa-Lowe

The Glamorous Glutes of Lisa Lowe | Max Muscle Sports Nutrition

For IFBB fitness pro Lisa Lowe, balance is everything. Which is pretty much what you’d expect from a former ballet dancer who began by studying with the San Francisco ballet, was admitted to the prestigious Julliard dance department, and then performed with the famed Alvin Alley dance troupe in New York City. Lowe, one of the most cerebral fitness professionals, earned her pro card at the 1998 Team Universe contest.

Black in Time | Online Resource for Black History

Although February has been officially designated as Black History Month and is observed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Black In Time is an excellent online resource for black history and culture all year-round. The tagline for the website states its purpose succinctly: Celebrating Who We Are By Honoring Who We Were. Brief biographical snapshots and historical accounts are presented by way of A Moment in OUR History links that acquaint us with Americans of African heritage - such as: 

Bessie Coleman, the first licensed black pilot in the United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

- Bessie Coleman (1922, successful female pilot who broke through racial and gender barriers), 

- Henry O. Flipper (former slave who realized his childhood dream by graduating from The West Point United States Military Academy in 1877), 

- Garrett A. Morgan (invented and patented the gas mask; became a national hero in 1916 when he donned the breathing device and led a rescue team into a tunnel to save 30 workers trapped there after an explosion), 

- Dr. Carter G. Woodson (scholar, historian, educator and author, honored as The Father Of Black History; in 1926 he created what is known today as Black History Month). 

Portrait of African-American historian Carter Godwin Woodson as a young man. Courtesy of the New River Gorge National River website, National Park Service, Dept of the Interior, US Gov'. (Wikipedia)

This site is a research and reference tool intended to assist those interested in tracing the steps of generations from the days of slavery to the present; and its goal is to motivate anyone to create positive, unique stories within their own lives.

Hugh Gaddy is Founder and President of Black In Time Enterprises. You can view his public profile on LinkedIn.com. When asked if there was any one historical personality in particular that really motivated and inspired him, Mr. Gaddy responded: Without question, Malcolm X!! I read his autobiography when I was 15 and it changed my life!!

* * * * * *

Do you get inspired by reading
biographical accounts or personal memoirs?

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The Pendant - A Gothic Romance Novel (Reblog) | History and Women

Sharing a link from one of the most gorgeous and informative blogs about women and for women on the worldwide web! The blog publisher writes book reviews but is also an author. This is one of her books.

The Pendant - A Gothic Romance Novel | History and Women

A lost ancient treasure. 

A 100 year family feud. 

And a woman with a passion richer than the bloodstone pendant she wears around her neck!

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Gifts for the Tolkien Enthusiast

Anyone who has done even scant research on John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 – 1973) knows that even though he was a very private man, there is no shortage of biographical information about this famous British writer and medievalist. Hardcover, paperback, digital and audio books, letters, and other materials abound. 

His son, Christopher Tolkien, was and still is extremely protective of the legacy of his father, and has only ever authorized one official biography. His father is highly respected as a literary hero and a myth maker, and he wants to keep it that way! 

Understandable, however, that did not stop others from publishing their unauthorized unofficial versions. (Even moi! Tried my hand at publishing an unauthorized biographical sketch.) These unapproved life stories (see listing below.) are just as appreciated by Tolkien fans, as the approved biography written by Humphrey Carpenter. 

Tolkien Ted 1280×782 Wallpaper 1117762

Furthermore, the commercialization of “all things Tolkien” may have started with the success of the “Lord of the Rings” books, but when these works were adapted to film, Tolkien fever infected the masses around the world. A loyal Tolkien-ite can not only build their own personal library, but can purchase puzzles, games, collectibles, and more!!

Lord of the Rings Collector Chess Set

– The 32 playing pieces made in fine pewter bear an amazing resemblance to the characters in the film. The top of the board is plexi-glass; the rest of the board is made out of cold cast porcelain. Hero pieces have a green ring around the bottom and villain pieces have a purple ring around the bottom. A map of Middle-earth is mounted below the playing surface.   Board measures 15 x 15 x 4.5 in.

Who would not want to keep this magnificent chess set in the family and treasure it for generations? Is it not the perfect gift for a collector, and an avid chess player who is also a devoted Tolkien follower?

Unauthorized Tolkien Biographies ( Name of Author )

• J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century ( Tom Shippey )
• Tolkien: Man and Myth, a Literary Life ( Joseph Pearce )
• J. R. R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend ( Colin Duriez )
• Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ( Anne E. Neimark )
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator (Wayne G. Hammond)

Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

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Like to read autobiographies or biographies to glean inspiration?

Like to read autobiographies or biographies? Reading about the lives of other people has always been a source of inspiration for me and no doubt it is the same way for other people too. In fact, if a person is suffering from depression one of the suggested activities to uplift their spirit and pull them out of the dark black hole is reading life stories. Not trying to sound corny but we are all ordinary people and it is encouraging to know that the majority of us endure the same trials and tribulations and most of us overcome or rise above our difficulties and get on with our lives.

But clearly you do not have to be depressed to draw motivation from reading about the achievements of someone else. For one of my friends it was the life of Malcolm X. The first biography which influenced my life was about Sammy Davis Jr. It was titled Yes I Can. (I could just kick myself for not keeping the book as it is now considered a collectible. He also published a sequel called Why Me?) The first autobiography written by Mr. Davis is also the book that peaked my curiosity and got me interested in reading more and more biographies about anybody – celebrities, men and women in history, people in political circles, etc. Turned this fascination into a hobby and created a Pinterest board called BIO-Snapshots, a collection of trivia, information and articles about people. Some of my most recent pins link to mini-bios of: Nora Baker, Robert Smalls, and Huma Abedin.

Do you get inspired by reading
biographical accounts or personal memoirs?

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Suggested Reads (press play to view)

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The Pack – Art Print Poster
David Cowles
Available at AllPosters.com
and Amazon.com

• David Cowles is a full-time freelance illustrator whose work has appeared in such publications as: Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Fortune, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. One does not have to convince others that this guy has tremendous talent. If you see an art piece like “The Pack”, you know want to go see some of his other stuff!

David Cowles – Art Posters and Prints

 

Please Visit MSC Home Sites

My Shopping Channel

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People We Like to Quote: Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

The Right Honourable  Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965) KG OM CH TD PCc DL FRS RA,  was a military hero and British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.  ( Wikipedia )

I take your point Sir Churchill.  Your reference to "hell" is a descriptive term, a figure of speech to describe an horrific ordeal that someone is enduring and they must stay strong, persevere and keep pushing forward in order to overcome.

However, with regard to the real hell?  Nobody goes through it.  If they end up there it's their final destination.  They can't escape and they can't turn back.  They can't complain that there was an error in their travel itinerary and that they had been dropped off at the wrong place!  They can't even bribe whoever put them in there to let them back out.  For one thing, if they were rich, they were not able to bring their money with them.  Ask the Pharaohs or ask Paul.  Also, the living whom they left behind can't pay for them to get out of hell either through a convenient system of indulgences.  (Geez!  And you think insurance in America is a rip off!)

Churchill quotes are food for thought.  

If I were setting up my own personal private library, I would make sure to have at least one book on the shelf with his quotes. 📕📕

Mini BIO - Winston Churchill

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