Ken Burns: Historical Filmmaker.

By Ashlee Torres | November 19, 2024 | Comments Off on Ken Burns: Historical Filmmaker.

No medium can capture the reality of human history much like the documentary, and few names in the historical filmmaking industry are as memorable as that of cinematographer Ken Burns. With the premiere of Burns’ newest documentary, ‘Leonardo da Vinci,’ November 18-19, 2024 on PBS, now is the perfect time to review and celebrate the…

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Celebrating Louise Glück: A Literary Luminary

Celebrating Louise Glück: A Literary Luminary

By Adrienne Raptis | October 1, 2024 | Comments Off on Celebrating Louise Glück: A Literary Luminary

Louise Glück, an acclaimed American poet and Nobel laureate, has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature. Born in 1943 in New York City, Glück’s work is characterized by its introspective nature and emotional depth, often drawing on personal experiences and mythological themes. Her unique voice has reshaped modern poetry, earning her recognition as one…

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Celebrating the Birthday of S. Scott Fitzgerald.

Celebrating the Birthday of S. Scott Fitzgerald.

By Adrienne Raptis | September 24, 2024 | Comments Off on Celebrating the Birthday of S. Scott Fitzgerald.

Today, we commemorate the birthday of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the most influential authors in American literature. Born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald emerged as the quintessential voice of the Jazz Age, capturing the complexities of wealth, ambition, and the human condition in a rapidly changing society.     His…

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Celebrating 50 Years of Robert Caro’s The Power Broker.

Celebrating 50 Years of Robert Caro’s The Power Broker.

By James O'Donnell | September 14, 2024 | Comments Off on Celebrating 50 Years of Robert Caro’s The Power Broker.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Robert Caro’s groundbreaking biography, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York. Since its release in 1974, Caro’s exhaustive study of Robert Moses and his monumental impact on New York City has become a definitive work in political literature.     Caro’s deep dive into…

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The Story of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Story of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

By James O'Donnell | May 30, 2024 | Comments Off on The Story of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

View our latest video short featuring Adrienne Raptis delving into the history of Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s.     Breakfast at Tiffany’s first appeared in the November 1958 issue of Esquire Magazine. It was published only months later in book form by Random House as part of a collection of short stories.    …

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William F. Buckley: Architect of Conservative Thought and Defender of Tradition.

William F. Buckley: Architect of Conservative Thought and Defender of Tradition.

By James O'Donnell | April 9, 2024 | Comments Off on William F. Buckley: Architect of Conservative Thought and Defender of Tradition.

In the annals of American conservatism, few names resonate as profoundly as William F. Buckley Jr. A towering figure in the intellectual landscape of the 20th century, Buckley’s influence transcended politics, leaving an indelible mark on society, literature, and media. From his seminal works like “God and Man at Yale” to his engaging commentaries and…

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In Memoriam: Daniel Kahneman – A Tribute to a Pioneering Mind.

In Memoriam: Daniel Kahneman – A Tribute to a Pioneering Mind.

By James O'Donnell | March 28, 2024 | Comments Off on In Memoriam: Daniel Kahneman – A Tribute to a Pioneering Mind.

World-famous psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics Daniel Kahneman will leave an indelible mark on psychology, economics, and beyond. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a brilliant mind whose work continues to influence and inspire generations. One cannot delve into the realm of behavioral economics without mentioning the groundbreaking concept of…

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Unveiling the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Tests: Tom Wolfe’s Journey into the Psychedelic Counterculture

Unveiling the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Tests: Tom Wolfe’s Journey into the Psychedelic Counterculture

By James O'Donnell | March 26, 2024 | Comments Off on Unveiling the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Tests: Tom Wolfe’s Journey into the Psychedelic Counterculture

In the annals of literary history, few works have captured the zeitgeist of an era as vividly as Tom Wolfe’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” Published in 1968, this psychedelic odyssey serves not only as a documentation of the vibrant counterculture of the 1960s but also as a testament to the adventurous spirit that swept…

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An Evening with Winston Churchill at Churchill Cigar Lounge.

An Evening with Winston Churchill at Churchill Cigar Lounge.

By James O'Donnell | March 20, 2024 | Comments Off on An Evening with Winston Churchill at Churchill Cigar Lounge.

Raptis Rare Books and Churchill Cigar Company and Lounge were honored to host renowned Churchill expert Lee Pollock for An Evening with Winston Churchill at Churchill Cigar Lounge.     Lee Pollock is Executive Director and a Trustee of The International Churchill Society, the world’s leading member organization dedicated to preserving the historic legacy of…

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Behind the Carousel Horse: Delving into ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and Salinger’s Legend.

Behind the Carousel Horse: Delving into ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and Salinger’s Legend.

By James O'Donnell | March 14, 2024 | Comments Off on Behind the Carousel Horse: Delving into ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and Salinger’s Legend.

J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” stands as a towering monument in the literary landscape, its influence spanning generations since its publication in 1951. Through the lens of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, the novel explores themes of alienation, innocence, and the search for authenticity in a world that often feels phony. Yet, beyond its…

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