the wombat file // remains // a viable option
June 19, 2009
The Friday Quiz Sneaks Back Into Your World
Psst! Over here!
He made his literary debut in 1802 with a series of observational letters to the Morning Chronicle, written under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle; in the 1840s he was the U.S. Minister to Spain, and just before his death he completed a 5-volume biography of George Washington.
In one of his literary works he created an enduring character who went on to have a long life in popular culture, even going so far as to become the mascot for a well-known 20th-century professional sports team.
Who is the author, and who is the character?
First correct answer to comments wins a copy of Matthew B. Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft, a work that exists as a stunning rebuke to the wimpy lifestyles of most Wombat File readers. No Googling or consulting your collection of old issues of the Morning Chronicle. One guess at each part, per comment, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at 12:31 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
June 15, 2009
Now: E.L. Doctorow: Homer & Langley -- making me want to re-read Waterworks.
Posted by BT at 11:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
It would be good to believe that the optimistic aspects of thisNYT analysis of the political fallout to the Iranian election will be justified. What's been happening over the last few days has been transfixing, tragically so precisely because it has been so inspiring to see Iranians on the move to reform. I doubt that any such breaks in the clouds will be so quick to materialize.
Posted by BT at 11:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 15, 2009
The Friday Quiz: Quick Lunch Edition
Who was the first recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature to have been born in Africa? This recipient is also the second-youngest recipient of the prize. For a bonus, who was the youngest?
First comment with the correct answer wins a copy of Bryant Terry's Vegan Soul Kitchen, a prize which has absolutely nothing to do with the question. No Googling or learning Swedish in the hopes of, as part of the Swedish-language curriculum, becoming an expert on the history of the prize. One guess per comment, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at 12:13 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
May 08, 2009
Another Sorry Excuse of a Friday
The answer to last week's quiz, almost precisely answered, was "Jimson weed" (from the less-common "Jamestown Weed"). Jonathan still scores an unquestioned victory. He knows his hallucinogenic American history.
On a related note, my belief that there would be time to run a quiz this week proved to be a pipe dream. Apologies for any trivial disappointments this has caused.
Enjoy the weekend. The quiz will return next week.
Posted by BT at 04:49 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
May 01, 2009
Happy Beltane/May Day, quizlers.
The source of today's bean-boiler is Amy Stewart's delightful new compendium Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities.
Just about four hundred years ago, when a new wave of settlers arrived on a particular island they took a liking to, they experimented with eating some of the native plants there, with disastrous results. One particular plant, a member of the deadly datura family, caused delusions, convulsions and respiratory failure when consumed. Seventy years later, when an uprising on the island occaisioned the landing of troops from the original colonizing nation, the residents slipped leaves from these plants into the billeted soldiers' food, causing an 11-day wave of madness among the soldiers.
What was the name of this settlement? What is the common name of the plant -- which is taken from the name of the settlement?
A galley copy of Lijia Zhang's Socialism is Great! A Worker’s Memoir of the New China, goes to commentor who posts the first correct answer to the main question, and a mystery title will be sent to anyone who correctly guesses the follow-up. No Googling or asking that creepy guy you once bought those mushrooms from. One guess at each part per comment, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at 12:54 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
April 24, 2009
The Friday Quiz: Transatlantic Transaction
In the summer of 1786, an American man, on a visit to England, turned up unannounced for a visit at the house of an increasingly prominent scientist whose discoveries were becoming noteworthy throughout the world, to discuss his work and be shown the instruments through which he conducted his research. In 1825, making in reference to the scientist the American wrote -- to another famous American "They all believe that great Principle which has produced this boundless universe, Newton’s universe and [blank]'s universe, came down to this little ball, to be spit upon by the Jews. And until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there will never be any liberal science in the world."
Who was the scientist? Who was the American?
First correct answer to both, posted to comments, wins a battered read-with-glee-by-the-Wombat galley copy of Richard Holmes's The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the the Beauty and Terror of Science. No Googling or committing awful blasphemies, particularly in front of the children. One guess (at each part) per comment, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at 09:52 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)