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Life As A Polygamist's Wife

by darla

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A friend of mine emailed me saying "You have to read this!" about Irene Spencer's autobiography Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife. Now that I've started the book, I too am hooked. Spencer's story of growing up in a Mormon fundamentalist family, and eventually becoming the wife of a man with nine other wives and 56 children, is a glimpse into a world that I can't seem to wrap my mind around. Her story traces her painful journey through life in a polygamous relationship and her choice to leave that situation, despite the teachings of the faith she had been raised in. Irene Spencer is currently in a monogamous relationship, which is also discussed in her book (obviously from an unique vantage point), and the honesty of her life story is intriguing, horrifying, hilarious, and ultimately a page-turner. I am near the end of the book now, and can't wait to see how she ends this novel.

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Frida Kahlo et al

by Maxine

Friday, July 6 is the 100th birthday of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo who was born Magdelena Carmen Frida Kahlo in Coyoacan, Mexico in 1907. After a bus accident in which she was severely injured, Kahlo turned to art, encouraged by the great muralist, Diego Rivera. Kahlo married Rivera twice, once in 1929 and then in 1941. Kahlo painted lush, surrealistic scenes, many of them self-portraits. She was also known for her leftist politics. She and Rivera gave Soviet revolutionary Leon Trotsky political asylum in their home. Near the end of her life, she was carried on a stretcher to the first exhibit solely of her work.

Also, on this day, are the birthdays of the the Dalai Lama who turns 72 and President George W. Bush who will be 61.

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Middle Ages History Lectures Worth Listening To

by RiponGood

Recently, I listened to two very good lectures series by Thomas F. Madden on the Middle Ages. First I listened to One, Holy, and Apostolic A History of the Church in the Middle Ages. I followed up with "God Wills It!": Understanding the Crusades. One, Holy, and Apostolic provides a very nice overview of the history of the Catholic church during the Middle Ages. You learn about how the church grew and thrived during the time, including various heresies, the Black Death, and the Great Schism. "God Wills It!" expands upon the Crusades, discussing the various crusades in Europe and Middle East, including the most commonly know, Third Crusade. The lectures series can be listed to separately, but I recommend listening to them in the order I did.

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A Man Named Luther

by RiponGood

Did you know Martin Luther supported the seperation of church and state? Have you ever wondered what the 95 Theses were and how they influence Western Civilization? Would you be surprised that Martin Luther helped to introduce the Modern Era and end the Middle Ages? The Teaching Company produced a two-part lecture series called Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation. Part One covers Luther's early life and the beginning of his teachings Part Two goes deeper into Luther's writings, covering topics like Luther and the Bible and Luther and Politics.