Browsing: June

A Brief History On June 2, 2018, the new R-rated comedy from Johnny Knoxville (of Jackass fame), Action Point, is in its second day at the movies. An 84 minute romp through coarse sexual and physical comedy, the film is what you would expect from Knoxville. Funny, almost slapstick, and filled with “Oh no you didn’t!” moments. Digging Deeper Based on the familiar story line of the low budget, struggling amusement park (interchangeable with zoo, water park, ski lodge or other struggling small business) fighting against greedy corporate types looking to take over, the movie is told through the flashback…

A Brief History On June 1, 1879, the so-called “Napoleon IV” died in the unlikely service of the British Army fighting Zulu warriors in what is now South Africa. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte was the only child of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French. Digging Deeper Born in Paris in 1856, the little Louis-Napoléon had the distinction of having the Pope as his Godfather at his baptism! His Godmother was Josephine, Queen of Sweden, the granddaughter of Napoleon I’s first wife, Josephine. In spite of this auspicious beginning, the young Bonaparte was fated to never succeed his father on the throne of Imperial…

A Brief History On June 13, 1990, Del Rey published a mass market paperback version of The Diamond Throne, the first book in The Elenium series of fantasy novels by David Eddings (1931–2009). Digging Deeper Below is a list of fictional characters appearing in The Elenium and The Tamuli, fantasy series written by David Eddings. Protagonists Sparhawk Sparhawk is the main character in the Elenium and Tamuli series. He is a Pandion Knight and Champion of Queen Ehlana. He marries Queen Ehlana and they have a child called Danae, who is the child goddess Aphrael in human form. Sephrenia Sephrenia is the Styric instructor of the spells of Styricum, also known as…

A Brief History On June 20, 1890, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, was first published complete in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine.  This article provides a list of cultural references in Wilde’s novel. Digging Deeper Individual persons referred in the novel The number of each chapter of The Picture of Dorian Gray in which an individual person is referred is in parentheses alongside his or her name. The chapter numbers are specific to the revised edition of the novel, first published in April 1891. Fictitious (created by Oscar Wilde) Seventy-one fictional characters, named in the novel, are Oscar Wilde’s creations, and…

A Brief History On June 30, 1559, King Henry II of France engaged in a jousting tournament when his opponent’s lance pierced the face guard of Henry’s helmet, sending splinters into his face, eye, and brain.  Henry died of his injuries on July 10, 1559, becoming another casualty of the dangerous sport of jousting.  Practiced in Medieval times for armored knights to hone their war skills, these knights on large, powerful armored horses would charge each other head on with lances in an effort to unseat their opponent, at a closing speed of perhaps 50 mph (estimated by the author).…