SEARCHING FOR THE PAST
PAUL BIRKHEAD – JUNE 14, 2009

“What’s past is prologue” is a famous quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest that has been prominently carved into the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. The quote means the past repeats itself and continually influences the present. If history interests you as much as it does me, there are many books in Rowan Public Library’s collection you might enjoy. Here are three recent arrivals.

Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure chronicles a cross-country road trip that took place in 1953. Road trips as a whole are not unusual, back then or today. However, the man who drove a big, black Chrysler down the highway that year was no ordinary American. He was none other than Harry S. Truman who, a few months prior, had been President of the United States. The book’s author, Matthew Algeo, tells the story of Harry and Bess Truman’s attempt to travel incognito from Independence, Missouri to Washington, D.C. and back. As Algeo recreates the trip in modern times, he delights the reader with anecdotes about people and places Harry and Bess encountered along the way.

Miracle Ball: My Hunt for the Shot Heard ‘Round the World by Brian Biegel is a fascinating story about baseball that also touches on the subjects of self renewal and father/son relationships. Biegel recounts his quest to determine the fate of what has been called the “Holy Grail” of baseball collectibles. On October 3, 1951, New York Giants player Bobby Thompson hit a home run that clinched the pennant title from the Giants’ crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers. After clearing the left field fence, the ball seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. In his journey to find the ‘miracle ball,’ the author scours records, interviews eyewitnesses, and even gets a crucial tip from a retired NYPD detective. If you want to know whether Biegel solves the mystery or if the dusty ball sitting on top of his father’s armoire played any role in it, you’ll have to read the book.

In 1984, Peter Feldstein had an ambitious goal – to photograph every single person in his hometown. Now, granted, this was Oxford, Iowa (population: 676), but it was still quite a chore to get it done. Twenty years passed and Feldstein decided to photograph the town’s residents again. The Oxford Project is the collaborative effort of photographer Feldstein and writer Stephen Bloom to document what happened to the Oxford citizens over two decades. The black and white photographs in this oversized book are stunning and even though the before and after photos are sure to grab your attention, it’s the life stories attached to them that will keep you turning pages.

If you’re interested in the past, take some advice from the present and go check out what all Rowan Public Library has to offer.

Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
May 29, 2009


Rice and Brooms

Well wedding season is upon us. Did you ever wonder where some of the traditions of weddings originated? Although not as common as it once was, June is a favorite month for nuptials. Juno, the Roman goddess for whom June is named was patron of marriage in the Roman culture thus marriages in June got off to auspicious beginnings. Did you know that in 1866 a young man showed up at Tuxedo Park in New York with the tails of his formal dress coat missing? He explained that the Prince of Wales was currently sporting a similar style and the tuxedo was born. Did you know that in many cultures the groom set out to kidnap his bride either feigning (and with permission) or by force? Who better to help then his ‘best’ man, his close friend or lieutenant who would be the strongest or surest in the fight for his bride. The role of the best man is a little less violent today but still an important source of support and indication of friendship.
Although the groom traditionally requests ‘the hand ‘ of his bride in marriage, an old legend declares that during Leap Year a woman could propose to her chosen groom. However, the law in the British Isles during Medieval times claimed a single man who declined a woman’s proposal during Leap Year had to compensate her with a kiss and a silk gown. Similar laws were introduced in Europe and the custom was legalized in France and parts of Italy by the 15th century and continued in the Great Britain and Europe until the 19th century.
Once the bride has agreed to a marriage, the whirlwind descends. Whether a long engagement or an elopement, a civil or religious marriage, decisions are made and customs are reenacted. Many like to honor their heritage whether ethnic or religious; any number of sources will help you make your own choices for this special day. “Jumping the Broom” by Harriette Cole speaks specifically to the African traditions and gives some information about African customs as well as American adaptations. “A Simple Wedding” by Sharon Hanby-Robie and “Wedding Goddess” by Brockway, both encourage a variety of ways to make the day special and stress free along with respecting spiritual needs. For tidbits and decorum help from choosing flower colours to finding out that the first diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, turn to “Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette.”
Interested in the unusual or uncommon, take a look at Verrill’s Strange Customs, Manners and Beliefs” or Tuleja’s “Curious Customs”, both are chockfull of marvelous stories that enrich our understanding of marriage rituals world wide. For instance in the Cook Islands, the young men lay on the ground before the bride making a bridge so she may walk on them in the processional. In Germany, while the men have the bachelor party, the bride and her friends smash crockery outside the house which the bride sweeps up to ensure good luck and prosperity for the marriage. The rites of marriage are as diverse as they are curious; whether planning for a wedding or a student of anthropology satisfy your curiosity with a good book.
P.S. The next Leap Year is 2012.