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Wednesday. z. • . - -/'-rfp "• "•• - -nrtrw THE jtcHENBY PLAWDBXLER '$&* '»g« McHenry Library Corner Main and Green Sto. m HOURS Friday Evenings: 7 iu I p.m. Dally, Including Saturday: 2 to 5 p.m. ADULT NON-FICTION "A Kind of Magic" by Edna Ferber. As dynamic today as When she first began observing the American scene, Edna Ferber here continues, her own story from 1939, the point at which "A Peculiar Treasure" left off, to 1963. "A Kind of Magic" radiates the wit, human understanding, and occasional biting commentary that have been the Ferber trademark since she began as a $3-a-week reporter on the Appleton Crescent. Admittedly stagestruck, the author offers intimate, compelling glimpses of such personalities as George S. Kaufman, Richard Rodgers, Alfred Lunt, Mike Todd and James Dean. But Edna Ferber's other love has always been writing, and she relates with charm and exuberance her many creative battles royal. In a grpater sense, "A Kind of Magic" is a chronicle of our time as seen through the eyes of a highly skilled and sensitive observer. During the war, "Captain" Ferber had the uncanny knack, given to only a few correspondents, of being consistently where the news was breaking. She was in Washington the1 day President Roosevelt died; in London when the 8th Air Force launched its first long-range day-lights raids; at Buchenwald and Nordhausen shortly after their liberation; and, more happily, in Paris on V. E. Day and in New York on V. J. Day. In these pages she recaptures the black-and-white insanity of that war and all wars, as well as the stifling, post-war complacency which gripped America and holds it still. Though the reader may be taken back by Edna Ferber's emphatic opinions on such wide-ranging topics as Manhattan, Germany, Israel, and the Superiority of Women, he cannot fail to admire in her the same qualities that distinquish her heroines--toghness, initiative, perception and integrityqualities which have caused millions of readers to regard Miss Ferber's characters as real people. Miss Ferber has covered this land from East (Saratoga Trunk and American Beauty) to Midwest (So Big and Come and Get it), to South (Show Boat), to Southwest (Cimarron and Giant), to Northwest 'Great Son) and the Far North (Ice Palace). In every setting, in fiction and non-fiction, Edna Feyber's writing shows a zest for living unmistakably her own. No other American writer has sounded the conscience of the country so thoroughly nor, the reader will realize, has loved it so well. "My Brother Bill" by John Faulkner. William Faulkner, the writer, was a familiar figure to many, a gentle, shy and rather reserved man who, though tweedy, managed always, somehow, to appear dapper. He chose to minimize his role as literary genius, preferring to refer to himself as a simple dirt farmer and resident of Oxford, Miss., the prototype of the city of Jefferson, which appeared in almost everything he wrote. But if this William Faulkner was known to many, few ever got beyond that mask to the real Faulkner, a man who clung tenaciously to his privacy, or realized the true degree to which his family had molded his character and thinking. Of these, perhaps none knew him so well as his brother, John, himself a writer and as deeply influenced by these! same forces. "My Brother Bill' is little concerned with the public image of William Faulkner; rather is it about Bill Faulkner as boy, growing up in the environment which furnished him with most of the raw material about which he later wrote, and as a man who retained for all of his life an almost mystical feeling for his native land. It is an intimate portrait, etched deeply with humor, of a man fiercely loyal to his family and old friends, though he often disagreed violently with each of them; of a man steeped in the gamery. Rabelaisian humor of the Frontier, which seems mainly to have survived only in the South; and of a man who both loved and hated his native ground because it never lived up to what he felt it capable of aeing. It is a book remarkable not only for its many insights into one of our most significant writers, but for its unique recreation, in every detail, of the all-but-forgotten life in a southern village at the turn of the century, a picture sketched with rare skill and humor and a deep sense of nostalgia in the best sense of the word. Adult Fiction "The House at Old Vine" by Nor ah Lofts. This is an historical novel in the grand tradition, a richly colorful pageant of life in sixteenth Century England. Set in a time of great religious, political and economic ferment, it tells of the descendants of Martin Reed, a serf who rose from bondage to bcccme a man of property, and of their changing fortunes in violently changing times. Reed's descendants inherited his ambition and tenacity, and the House at Old Vine serves as a background for their struggles to maintain hard-won position. Some of their motives are noble, others ignoble, but the guiding principle is always to hold onto the house at all costs. The house suffers many rises and falls of condition as the tenants treat it with respect or disrespect -- yet the house remains, and what it stands for as well. Readers who thrilled to the high drama and deft characterizations of Norah Lofts' "Bless This House" \and "The Town House" know her extraordinary gift of bringing to vibrant life the whole pageant of life and death in old England; the magnificent novel should win her many new readers as well. Adult Non-Fiction 'The Church in the Seventeenth Century" by H. Daniel- Rops. This work deals with a century dominated by two forces: by the growth of national consciousness in Europe on the one hand (embodied in monarchical absolutism), and on the other by the resurgence of the spirit and ideals ol Catholicism, threatened by the Protestant revolution. The author passes ini review the great Catholic figures of the century, beginning with St. Vincent de Paul who, in humility and boundless charity, opened the gates of the century to a flood of saintly men and women, and to a new ideal, in the company of men like Bierulle, Olier, St. John Eudes, St. Francois Regis, and women like Louise de Marillac, with whom he founded the Sisters of Charity, Anne of Austria, Queen of France, and a host of others. This was an era of political and spiritual rebirth, but also an era of strife, selfishness, ambition and fanaticism. The ruthlessness of the conflict for religious supremacy is seen side by side with deep sincerity and sorrow of noble figures, Catholic and Protestant alike, who strove toward unity. There is the spectacle of the nations of Europe rising up to form two campsi Protectant and Catholic, and the swift deterioration of the controversy into a bloody struggle for power, in which religion is no longer the primary issue. There is, too, the mighty figure of the French King, Louis XIV, a much maligned monarch, whose conflict between his conscience and his self-glory was as tempestuous as his European wars, and led to the most extraordinary paradoxes; a king born into an age of absolutism, thrusting France to the top in European power politics, at a cost in men and material which nearly ruined her. ShiningJhrough all the strife is the great Catholic ideal of the century and the lioliness of individuals, despite the growth of Jansenism and Quietism, and the beginnings of an irreligion that stemmed from heresy and internal discord. Adult Fiction "Careful, He Might Hear You" by Sumner Locke Elliott. The hero of "Careful, He Might Hear You" is "P. S." whose mother, Sinden Scott, died in giving birth to him. "He is the postscript to her Bohemian adventure and hence his whimsical name. Until his sixth year when the story opens, he has been in the charge of Lila, a warm-hearted but narrow-minded woman who, with her husband, George, has brought up the boy as her son. Suddenly returns from England sophisticated Vanessa with a "Pommy" accent. She lays claim to the child and proceeds in the most rational way to unsettle his whole world. The construction of a family prctrait in which none of the characters are quite as they seem ti^the others is masterly." Julian Jebb in The London Times "Mr. Elliot is a storyteller of the first rank--his shifts of time and points of view so fluid that the narrative never falters or meanders. His characters, for all their egocentricity.. • rouse our interest and concern --Vanessa at her most ruthless, is pitiably vulnerable; Lila at her most prudish and provincial, has a simple faithful heart; Vere and Agnes, absurd, Dickensian, have a core of wisdom in their chickenheadedness." Jean Stafford "Both story and style grew upon me with compelling fascination. .The children's party, given by Vanessa, struck me as superb...I found the whole thing strangely touching and endearing. Daphne Du Maurier Adult Non-Fiction "Capt:un/tlohn" "CAPTJ4}L-*OHN SMITH" by Brad&nxl Smith. Here fin full stature is the man who named New England, who knew Pocahontas, who fought Indians and Truks, who was himself a pirate for a time.the gallant, boastful, hottempered personality who dreamed of America as a country of free landowners. It is an adventure story from beginning to end but more important, it constitutes the lat^ est, most complete profile of an important character in American history. Foor almost a hundred yearns* scholars have been^ doubting the validity of Captain Johin Smith's story. Most of what we know about him comes from his own pen, and earlier biographers have tended to write him off as at least onehalf make-believe. Could he possibly, have had the wild adventures in Hungary and Turkey? What about Pocahontas? Does accuracy demand that the story be given up? Beyond naming New England, did he conduct any useful explorations? For this first biography of Captain John Smith in twentyfive years, the author has combed hitherto unused sources to substantiate Smith's own story. For the first time a thorough search has been made of English archived, Hungarian, Latin, Italian, French and German records. UNIT 491 By Mary Einspar McHenry Unit 491 of the American Legion auxiliary held its regular monthly meeting Nov. 18. President Betty Lingenfolter conducted the usual opening ceremonies and the standing committee reports were given. Senior Americanism Chairman Eleanore Reid and Junior Chairman Betsy Kilday recently presented nn outdoor flag to St. Mary's rnrt Hilltop schools. Sandra Lock, Child Welfare chairman, asks that each member bring canned goods or staples to our December meeting for the Christmas baskets. Miss Lock will also need help in packing those baskets to be The evidence indicates that historians have underestimated Captain John Smith. In this exciting sWy of a unique individual and a critical era in American history, he emerties not as an idealized hero, but rather a true historical figure. distributed to heedy families af Christmas; Community Service Chairman Pearl Pietsch attended the recent meeting of the McHenry Historical society, along with Ercell Lock. Mrs. Pietsch explained the purpose of the society and the various types of membership available. McHenry Unit 491 will attend a party at Elgin hospital Dec. 11. fteba Owen, chairman, needs twenty-five dozen cookies for the occasion. All members are urged to attend this party if possible. Sue Wirfs informed members of the great many bills in Congress being supported by the American Legion in the interest of veterans and their families. Anyone interested in the details of these various bills may contact Mrs. Wirfs. New member. Ruby Shepard, was introduced by members and Laiason Chairman Marge Pickett. N Birthday greetings were extended to Lillian Conway, Sue Wirfs, Rose Schmitt and Pearl Pietsch. Marie Diedrieh was not present to receive the attendance award. Dues are still needed to make our unit 100 per cent. If you have neglected to pay yours, please do so as soon as possible. Mothers, wives and daughters frd. ^Steuen A (bandied are as popular as the Thanksgiving Turkey 2-lb. Special $785 of veterans are urged to Jbtn our organization. Winners of the membership drive are Helen Schmitt, Marge Mikota, Henrietta Vycital. Lydia Fenner, Marge Pickett, Janice Bauspies and Esther Jobe*. They will be guests at our annual membership dihner. Total membership as of Nov. 18 stands at 317. Past President Dorothy Wcichmann received a citation for a recipb she submitted to a cook book published by tlie department auxiliary. Mrs. Wcichmann has a sample of this book and will order one for any member who would like one. The book contains recipes submitted by presidents of the auxiliary for the entire state of Illinois. The unit also received a department citation for participation in the Gifts for Hospitalized War Veterans. Our Dec. 16 meeting will be preceded by our Christmas potluck supper. Each member is asked to bring an exchange gift. The Junior auxiliary members held their regular monthly meeting on the sixteenth A tdtal "of 128 tray favors were made for tho veterans $t Downey hospital. Also 144 candy bars were decorated and will be distributed to the patients at Christmas time. The Juniors will also hold a" Christrrras party at their December iueeling. Members are asked to bring a gift for the grab bag. President Betty Lingenfelter concluded the meeting, at which the gliest speaker, James Cordue, presented a very informative talk on the proposed McHenry Junior college. Any teenager knows the value of a buck -three gallons of gas or four packs of fags. SHOP IN McHENRY Ask about the Charge Plan at GLADSTONE'S, INC. lIUi'llltllUlllllllllillllllllliiillllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllilllllltllllllllllllllUIIIIIIIIIIIIKI « c.uoice assortment of Butter Creams, Crisp and Chewy- Center Favorites. Auto Insurance Cancelled? NO Of s I£F:l-l SED -- AW AGE Reasonable Rates Financial Responsibility Filings Stay out of "Pool Insurance" and have Full Coverage TEENAGE INSrUANCE -'nil Coverage JAN-MAR INSURANCE LINENS -- GIFTS -- JEWELRY CHRISTMAS CARDS Still time to order Personalized Cards for Business or Personal use. AGATHA Gifts & Candies 1242 N. 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By sharing your American skill, knowledge and know-how with the peoples of rising nations, you can do something of Importance for human dignity and welfare, for world peace and freedom. And you can do something for yourself as well. Service in the Peace Corpsin South America, Asia or Africa is an investment that will add substantially to your professional competence and stature. It can provide an opportunity for experience and responsibility that will pay dividends throughout your career in the years ahead. Teachers, engineers, mathematicians, archeologists, doctors, nurses, agricultural specialists, and liberal arts graduates in many other categories (probably including yours) are now being selected by the Peace Corps. Placement tests (non-competitive) will be, given soon. Use the coupon below to receive full information at once; I Please send me full information I about the Peace Corps. | *rl rliii it-- j Coiteg*. I Date of Graduation- I I Field, .ttogra PEACE COUPS Washington 26, D. C. *2s Published as a public service in cooperation with The Advertising Counel