American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time)

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 7: From Beyond

This episode is my review of "From Beyond" by H. P. Lovecraft, a story about a scientist trying to find what lies beyond our senses. Made into a good movie.

Episode 394: Francis Parkman: A Half-Century of Conflict (4)

In the final parts of Francis Parkman's A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT we explore the failed peace ending King George's War, ongoing struggles for Acadia, and the siege of Louisbourgh. One more book left, MONTCALM AND WOLFE.

Episode 393: Francis Parkman: A Half Century of Conflict (3)

Part three of my review of A HALF CENTURY OF CONFLICT by Francis Parkman. This episode deals with the build up and origins of King George's War. Who can keep track of all of these French and Indian wars with massive loss of life and few territorial changes? It is as if dying for empire is pointless. 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 6: Celaphais

In "Celephais" we have another of Lovecracft's "Dreamlands" stories. This one is about a man who is so isolated in the modern world he seeks fame and adventure in his dreams. Perhaps something about Lovecraft's psychology could be said.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 5: The Temple

A U-boat captain during World War I learns about an ancient civilization under the Atlantic Ocean (possibly Atlantis), but never gives up his faith in Prussian supremacy over ignorant peasant Rhinelanders. "The Temple" by H. P. Lovecraft is a study in efficient, effective and decisive leadership.

Episode 392: Francis Parkmam: A Half-Century of Conflict (2)

Queen Anne's War may have ended but the fighting between Britain and France continued in a series of proxy wars using Native American tribes. I talk about this and more in part two of my look at Francis Parkman's A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 4: Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family

A short H. P. Lovecraft story with a long title, "Arthur Jermyn" deals with topics such as heredity, exploration, Darwinism, and empire. It is one of my favorite of Lovecraft's early stories.

Episode 391: Francis Parkman: A Half Century of Conflict (1)

In this episode, I start looking at another book by Francis Parkman. In this case it is A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT which looks at the North Americans Wars from the 1690s to 1750s, as well as the many proxy wars fought through Indian societies.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 3: The Cats of Ulthar

A nice story by H. P. Lovecraft set in the Dreamlands about mythology, law, witches, gypsies and cats. And all in just a few pages. Highly recommended.

Episode 390: Count Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV (3)

The finale of my review of Francis Parkman's COUNT FRONTENAC AND NEW FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV. This section deals with the roots of King William's War and the final years of Frontenac's life and his efforts to subdue the Iroquois and defend Canada from English invasion.

Episode 389: Francis Parkman: Count Fronetnac and New France Under Louis XIV (2)

The second part of my review of COUNT FRONTENAC AND NEW FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV by Francis Parkman. This part of the book looks at the governorships of Le Barre and Denonville. 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 2: The Tree

Lovecraft's short story "The Tree" is about art, friendship, and fate. Check it out for something a little bit different.

Episode 388: Francis Parkman, Count Frontenac and New France Under Louis XIV (1)

The fifth volume of FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA looks at the height of New France during the reign of Louis XIV. This episode digs into the first part of this book, covering Count Frontenac's first term as governor and the problems he runs into with the clergy and the backwoodsmen.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 3: Episode 1: The Terrible Old Man

"The Terrible Old Man" is a sweet little vampire story by H. P. Lovecraft. This will not be the first time Spanish bullion will be used as a warning to stay away. The polyglot criminals in this story will learn the hard way.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2 Episode 7: Poems (3)

In the final episode of the second "season" of the H. P. Lovecraft Book Club, I look at some of his World War I poems. Next up, his stories written from 1920 to 1924.

Episode 387: Francis Parkman: The Old Regime in Canada (3)

The finale of my review of THE OLD REGIME IN CANADA by Francis Parkman. One of the best books in the series. Highly recommended.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 6: More Early Poetry

A few more poems by H. P. Lovecraft explore some of this themes of cosmic horror, as well as some other themes, including a satirical romance. 

Episode 386: Francis Parkman: The Old Regime In Canada (2)

Part two of my review of THE OLD REGIME IN CANADA by Francis Parkman, a social, political, and institutional history of New France during the time of Louis XIV.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 5: Poems (1)

In this episode I take on some of Lovecraft's earliest poems.

Episode 385: Francis Parkman: Old Regime in Canada (1)

In the fourth volume of Parkman's FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA we look at the political and social institutions in New France during its peak during the years of Frontenac and Louis XIV. A great addition that does something different from the other values in the series.

Episode 383: Francis Parkman: La Salle and the Great West (3)

The third and finale part of my review of LA SALLE AND THE DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT WEST by Francis Parkman. This episode focuses on La Salle's attempts to establish the foundation of a Mediterranean empire for France. (All he got for it was a short-lived for in present-day Texas). Saint-Domingue is mentioned only in passing.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 4: Temperance Writing

Lovecraft is not often accused of being dry, but he totally was. Try to enjoy this episode of the H.P. Lovecraft Book Club sober. I bet you cannot.

Episode 383: Francis Parkman: La Salle and the Great West (2)

In this episode, I look at some of La Salle's labor troubles during his expeditions to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. Maybe it is time for a labor history of exploration.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 3: Astronomy Journalism

Lovecraft as an amateur astronomer and he shared his insights in newspapers. This episode takes a brief looks a series of columns he wrote to introduce the basic of astronomy to readers, and provide glimpses into his views of cosmic horror.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 2: World War I Writings

In this episode I dig into some of Lovecraft's amateur journalism dealing with the First World War. Why did he think the U.S. should back Great Britain in the conflict? It has a lot to do with race and his vision of an Anglo-American "white Atlantic".

Episode 382: Francis Parkman: La Salle and the Great West (1)

Francis Parkman's third volume of his epic history of New France is called LA SALLE AND THE GREAT WEST. What drove La Salle to explore the Great Lakes and Mississippi? Find out.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 2: Episode 1: Early Letters

Since I lack the first volume of the Selected Letters of H. P. Lovecraft, I am working off some notes I took a few years ago. In the future I promise more complete examination of his wacky letters.

Episode 381: Francis Parkman: Jesuits in North America (3)

Finale of my review of THE JESUITS IN NORTH AMERICA by Francis Parkman. In this episode I look at the martyrdom of the Jesuits, the "Mourning Wars", and the refugee crises among the Huron. 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 13: The Street

"Season One" of the H. P. Lovecraft Book Club ends with a look at "The Street." Next, we will explore some of his other early writings such as astronomy, his letters, amateur journalism and poetry.

Episode 380: Francis Parkman: Jesuits in North America-2

More on the French Jesuits in Canada and the Huron mission in this episode of my read-through of Francis Parkman's FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA.

Episode 379: Francis Parkman Jr. The Jesuits in North America (1)

Part 1 of my review of Francis Parkman's THE JESUITS OF NORTH AMERICA. This volume covers the mid-17th century Jesuit efforts among the Huron and Algonquins amidst the Beaver Wars (Mourning Wars).

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 12: The Statement of Randolph Carter

A fairly famous story of Lovecraft's "The Statement of Randolph Carter" builds to a shocking ending. Not the richest thematically, but a lot of fun to read.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 11: The Doom that Came to Sarnath

Lovecraft's story "The Doom that Came to Sarnath" tells the story of a civilization that forgot its roots and paid the price. While Lovecraft is usually an advocate of forgetting, in this story he warns against it. The story is also a polemic against decadence and a celebration of grand architecture. 

Episode 378: Francis Parkman: Pioneers of New France (3)

Final part of my review of THE PIONEERS OF NEW FRANCE IN NORTH AMERICA by Francis Parkman Jr. In this section we look at the career of Champlain and the other explorers who established Quebec. Next up, the Jesuits. 

Episode 377: Francis Parkman Jr.: Pioneers of New France (2)

In this part of Parkman's THE PIONEERS OF NEW FRANCE we witness the massacre of the Floridan Huguenots and begin to survey the French explorations of North America in the St. Lawrence River.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 10: The White Ship

In my review of "The White Ship" by H. P. Lovecraft I make a bold claim about what type of writer Lovecraft is. Beyond that, this is just a great "Dreamlands" story about the pitfalls of various utopias.

Episode 376: Francis Parkman: The Pioneers of New France (Part 1)

We start our look at FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN NORTH AMERICA with the first part of THE PIONEERS OF NEW FRANCE. This episodes focuses on his deception of the Huguenots in Florida.

 

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 9: The Transition of Juan Romero

Lovecraft wrote a great story called "The Transition of Juan Romero". It may be his best early depiction of ancient religions in a vast network. A must read for Lovecraft fans if you missed it. 

Episode 375: Francis Parkman: The Conspiracy of Pontiac (Conclusion)

The conclusion to my review of Francis Parkman Jr.'s THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. In the final section of this book we explore the consequences of Pontiac's revolt for the people of the American West.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Episode 8: Old Bugs

Lovecraft had some particular views on alcohol and drugs, which are reflective in this early (science fiction?) story of his, a morality tale about inheritance and social decline.