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October 24, 2005

Abraham Lincoln's Depression

Lincoln's Melancholy, by Joshua Wolf Shenk, explores Lincoln's struggle with depression and links it with his fight for universal justice. According to a review in the Book Review section of the October 23, 2005 New York Times, Shenk feels the competition among contemporary American polititians to be the most optimistic candidate undervalues the attitude of pessimism, a frequent feature of depressed people.

Lincoln's personal suffering led him to strive mightily to contribute something worthwhile to the world, and he felt he succeeded with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Related Links:

"Lincoln's Melancholy," Joshua Wolf Shenk, New York Times, October 23, 2005.
"'Lincoln's Melancholy': Sadder and Wiser," Patricia Cohen, New York Times, October 23, 2005.
Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness (Hardcover) at Amazon.Com

NOTE: New York Times articles are available for a one- to two-week period before moving into archives requiring payment to read.

Posted by admin at 03:18 PM

Movie Review: Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher is a film about a young African-American man in the U.S. Navy who is referred to a psychiatrist (played by Denzel Washington) because of his violent temper. It is based on the true story of Mr. Fisher, a security guard at Sony Entertainment, who submitted his autobiographical screenplay to Mr Washington. Washington was so impressed he chose the script for his directorial debut.

At first Fisher stonewalls the psychiatrist, refusing to talk. The psychiatrist is patient and persistent, and eventually the patient starts to talk. Slowly he reveals his background as an abused abandoned child and he starts to blossom as he responds to the support of the psychiatrist. There are setbacks but the treatment continues in the face of many difficulties. The film builds to a powerful and moving climax when Antwone, with the help of a girl friend, seeks out and meets his abandoning mother and his abusive foster mother and sister.

The film is an appreciation of the remarkable resilience possible in some victims of terrible childhood abuse if given some appropriate help at the right time. It is available on DVD.

Related Link:

Antwone Fisher at Fox/Searchlight Pictures

Posted by admin at 03:09 PM

October 14, 2005

New Radio Advertisement Available

Our third radio advertisement has begun airing. You can listen to it by clicking the play button on the controller at the top of the home page. If you don't see a controller, all of our ads are available as MP3 files for downloading.

Posted by admin at 11:22 AM





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