News about Living Philosophy
A Game of Literary Pursuit is anything but Trivial - Answers are below the questions.
A)
1. What book for a number of years outsold all other books in the world except the Bible? _______________
2. What book during one decade even outsold the Bible? _______________
3. What book has had over four hundred editions with millions of copies sold in numerous foreign languages? _______________
4. What book is claimed to be the most influential book written in the 19th century and carried its influence well into the 20th century? _______________
5. What book was made into a stage play 25 years after its publication? _____________
6. What book had a stage play that ran for more than 6000 performances watched by over 20 million people? _______________
7. What book was made into two silent and one sound motion pictures? _______________
8. The colour film of what book swept the Oscars more than any other film ever? _______________
9. What book was written by an American civil war general who saved Washington DC from the Confederacy as observed by his friend, Abraham Lincoln, and thereby helped to outlaw slavery in the United States? _______________
10. What book has a distinctive and urgent message for the 21st century that meets all the above criteria? _______________
B)
11. The title of the book being referred to above is A. Alice in Wonderland, B. The Fall of the Roman Empire, C. Gone with the Wind, D. The Robe, E. Ben-Hur.
12. The author of the book being referred to, born on 10th April, 1827, is A. Lewis Carroll,
B. Margaret Mitchell, C. Lloyd C Douglas, D. Lew Wallace, E. Edward Gibbon.
13. In 1876, at the age of 49, the author began writing the book in A. Westport, Connecticut, B. New York City, C. Cleveland, Ohio, D. Crawfordsville, Indiana, E. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
14. The author finished writing the book 3 years later in A. Cleveland, Ohio, B. Washington, D.C.,
C. Westport, Connecticut, D. Santa Fe, New Mexico, E. Crawfordsville, Indiana.
15. The author was born on 10th April, 1827 in A. Brookville, Indiana, B. Columbus, Ohio,
C. Westport, Connecticut, D. Santa Fe, New Mexico, E. Crawfordsville, Indiana.
16. The author’s father was a graduate of A. Yale University, B. Harvard University, C. West Point Academy, D. Wabash College, Indiana, E. no institution; he was self-taught.
17. The father of the author had been A. a poor farmer, B. governor of Indiana, C. president of the United States, D. Ambassador to Turkey, E. American Secretary of State.
18. The author’s mother died when he was A. 7, B. 14, C. 35, D. 50, E. 65.
19. The author was a self-taught A. violinist, B. pianist, C. artist, D. A and C, E. B and C.
20. When the author was 9 he briefly attended A. Yale University, B. Harvard University, C. Wabash College, D. Northwestern University, E. DePauw University.
21. With his younger brother, William, the author was trained to be a A. lawyer, B. musician,
C. teacher, D. writer, E. B and C.
22. The author married Susan Elston the daughter of a A. influencial congressman, B. popular governor,
C. wealthy businessman, D. lawyer, E. all of the above.
23. After becoming the youngest major general in the Union army, the author led men into battle
A. at Shiloh, B, at Monocacy River, C. in Mexico, D. A and B, E. A, B and C.
24. After writing the novel the author was appointed U.S. Ambassador to A. Bolivia, B. Turkey, C. Paraguay, D., Britain, E. France.
25. His novel was soon translated into A. Spanish, B., Arabic, C. German, D. French, E. the above and many more.
26. With the proceeds from his novel the author built a A. fortress, B., luxury home, C. study, D. farm,
E. Both A and D.
27. A distinctive characteristic of this/these is a A. tower like that of the Cathedral of Pisa, B. dome and skylight like that of a mosque, C. stone-carved face of Judah Ben-Hur, D. electric and gas lighting, E. all of the above.
28. Around this/these the author built a A. lake, B. woodland, C moat with fish, D..canopy, E. all the above.
29. The author died on 15th February, 1905, at the age of 77 with his casket enthroned with a A. violin,
B. unfinished autobiography, C. decoration from the Moslem Sultan of Turkey,
D. letter from Abraham Lincoln, E. all the above.
30. The author considered to be inferior those of a different A. race, B. nationality, C. gender, D. social status, E. None of the above.
Answers to A Game of Literary Pursuit that is anything but Trivial
By a member of the Scottish Society of Authors, Wally Shaw
(A)1-10: all the answers are Ben-Hur.
(B) 11. E.; 12. D.; 13. D.; 14. D; 15. A.; 16. C.; 17. B.; 18. A.; 19.D. (A and C); 20. C.; 21. A.; 22. C.; 23. E.; 24 B.; 25. E.; 26. C.; 27. E.; 28. C.; 29. E. 30. E.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Reviews 2009
"The scholarship is impressive but worn lightly, as readings from Burns' contemporaries, philosopher David Hume and economist Adam Smith, show how they influenced the often poor but well-educated poet." Read Full Review Here
The Scotsman, 21st August, 2009
"The life and works of Burns are excellent material with which to introduce an audience to the Scottish Enlightenment and the radicalism generated at the intersection of philosophy and life." Read Full Review Here
Three Weeks, 21st August, 2009
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009The dates for the performances for Robert Burns - Scotland's Radically Enlightened Poet at Venue 125 St Mark's artSpace are: Date of WORLD PREMIERE: Sunday, 9 th at 5.00pm Date of 2nd performance: Tuesday 11th at 5.00 Date of 3rd performance: Sunday, 16th at 5.00pm Date of 4th performance: Sunday, 23rd at 7.30pm Date of 5th performance: Sunday, 30 th at 5.00pm |
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PRESS RELEASE UNIQUE AND RELEVANT DOCUDRAMA ON THE LIFE OF BURNS Edinburgh playwright, Wallace Shaw, presents a world premiere unique look at the life of Robert Burns at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Following on plays the past four years which looked at the lives of four great philosophers as underpinnings for a radically revised approach to economics and world harmony, Wallace Shaw presents a new play about the light which Robert Burns shone on the 18th century society and economy in which he lived. Like today, Robert Burns experienced Scotland going through a deep recession. Even the bank in his native Ayrshire collapsed, affecting the already impoverished Burns (‘Burness’) family, with his father losing the tenancy of his farm. This play, rather than focusing on Burns’ love poems and his love for the women, re-examines the Bard’s life and times, his family and well-known friends, to uncover the significance of his poetry for us and for today’s world. The docudrama ties Burns’ sentiments on how the economy works (both for and against people) to the great philosophers of his day—David Hume and Adam Smith—and shows how Burns’ thoughts and words were directly affected by them. The play has been written by American born retired teacher of philosophy and religion at Stewart’s Melville College, Dr Wallace Shaw. Four previous docudramas by Dr Shaw have considered the lives and teachings of David Hume, Adam Smith, Socrates, and Jeremy Bentham and their import for a new approach to society and the economy—an approach which harkens to the “Scottish Enlightenment”—which Dr. Shaw refers to as the “Scottish Radical Enlightenment” to emphasize the truly earthshaking proposals made by some of the leading philosophers of the 18th century—proposals for living in harmony and respecting the rights of everyone to live with dignity. In this year of Scottish Homecoming and the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birth, Dr. Shaw thought it time to present a play focusing on Burns’ involvement in that “radical” Enlightenment. Said Dr Shaw: “This production is the essential Burns provided in song and dramatised recitation within a documentary play reading. This is the Robert Burns Story with his romantic poetry and songs placed within the context of his provocative Enlightenment thinking which too often is overlooked. The play will be performed by ‘The Radicals’ (The Radical Enlightenmentarians)-–an inclusive theatrical group with a mission to put forth the “radical” views of the best of the Scottish Enlightenment to help today’s society find the right direction. The troupe is the recipient of a Scotland Unlimited Millennium Award for its work with the differently abled. Providing accompaniment for songs of Burns at the premier performance is Dr. Shaw’s grandson Christopher Boerger (14), performing in his 5th consecutive Fringe (all in plays written by his grandfather). Christopher is a budding pianist, having won gold medals at Indiana (USA) state level competitions the past two years. ENDS. ROBERT BURNS – Scotland’s Radically Enlightened Poet Written, produced and performed by The Radicals (The Radical Enlightenmentarians) -- cast of 15 Date of WORLD PREMIERE: Sunday, 9 th at 5.00pm Date of 2nd performance: Tuesday 11th at 5.00 Date of 3rd performance: Sunday, 16th at 5.00pm Date of 4th performance: Sunday, 23rd at 7.30pm Date of 5th performance: Sunday, 30 th at 5.00pm Book tickets here
17 July 2009
At the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe during Homecoming Scotland
Venue 125: St. Mark’s Unitarian Church (artSpace), 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
April 2009
Rehearsals for this Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009 have begun. If you are interested in taking part with our production please contact us.
The Radicals presenting the Indian Economist Amartya Sen a copy of the docudrama Adam Smith - Making Poverty History at a function to celebrate the 250th Aniversary of the publishing Adam Smiths' the Theory of Moral Sentiments.
In preparation for the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August is
Robert Burns "Bard of the Scottish Homecoming ".
To celebrate his 250 Anniversary and the Scottish Year of Homecoming
This script will be available for the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and other events
Since the Fringe last August, The Radicals have provided the following:
Scotland for Obama was presented at the rally in Edinburgh shortly before the US election by Wally Shaw who writes the scripts for the Radicals.
Barack Obama – and the Scottish Radical Enlightenment was presented by The Radicals at the Morningside Justice & Peace group in Edinburgh shortly before his inauguration .
Adam Smith and the Three Wise Men was presented by The Radicals at St. Mark’s Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, during the festive season.
October 2008
Since the performances of Adam Smith – Making Poverty History at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe, there have been a number of reviews. If you want to see some of them, please click here.
August 2008
Following on from previous Edinburgh Fringe success we have had our best year yet. Over 550 people attended our docudramas and the following reviews were gratefully received.
Fringe review
A detailed and uncompromisingly intellectual live docudrama with commentary on the life and times of Adam Smith, the father of modern Economics...
UK Theater
This delightful docudrama from multitalented, inclusive, locally based drama group The Radicals, true to the authentic roots of the original Fringe,....
Adam Smith Lost Legacy
"Excellent Dramatisation of Adam Smith and his Views..."
July 2008
Unveiling of the Adam Smith Statue
Panmure House, home to Adam Smith 1778 - 1790 |
Adam Smiths grave in the Canongate Church |
     Unveiling of the Adam Smith Statue |
June 2008
The Radicals are pleased to announce that we will be attending the unveiling of the new Adam Smith statue on the Royal Mile here in Edinburgh on July the 4th.
The Adam Smith Institute in writing about the Adam Smith Statue states
: http://www.adamsmith.org/images/uploads/bulletin/Statue_Update.pdf
"
An imposing landmark monument to Adam Smith the pioneering
Scottish economist, philosopher, and author of The
Wealth of Nations will be unveiled soon.
This, the first important public monument to Adam Smith,
will take the form of a large bronze statue on a massive stone
plinth, and will stand in the historic heart of Edinburgh, Scotlands
capital and the city where he worked and died.
This honour is long overdue. As author of The Wealth of Nations
(1776), Adam Smith was the pioneer of what today
we call economics. He championed the benefits of specialization
and free trade, creating the very idea of the modern
market economy that dominates the free world today.
Edinburgh City Council has given its permission to place the
statue in one of
the most striking sites which
Scotlands capital
has to offer.
The chosen spot
is in the Royal
Mile, downhill
from the Castle
that dominates
the City, just
outside the Cathedral,
and immediately
opposite
the City
Chambers. Appropriately,
the
statue will stand
on the site of an
ancient market.
The old Mercat
Cross remains,
just a few steps
away.
The Smith monument
will be in
line of sight of
the recent statue
of Smiths
friend David
Hume, and willlook downhill to the
Canongate (where
Smith is buried), towards
the harbour of
Leith (with its connotations
of trade
and commerce),
and over the sea
to the county of
Fife, where Smith
was born. It could
hardly be a better
position."
May 2008
Summary of Socrates - life and legacy as performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
April 2008
Coming to the 2008 International Justice Festival:
THE SCOTTISH RADICAL ENLIGHTENMENT Justice and Peace for Today
The performance is at 5.00 on Sunday, 29 th Junealso atartSpace, St. Marks Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.
April 2008
Coming to the 2008 Edinburgh International Festival Fringe:
The docu-drama for this years Living Philosophy on the Fringe is ADAM SMITH Making Poverty History.
All performances are at 5.00pm. The dates are:
Sunday, 3 rd August: World Premiere
Sunday, 10 th August: 2 nd Performance
Saturday, 16 th August: 3 rd Performance
Sunday, 24 th August: 4 th Performance
All performances are at Edinburgh Festival Fringe Venue 125, artSpace, at St. Marks Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh. You are invited to note the dates and to inform any who might be in Scotland in August.
Feb 2008
The docu-drama"Jeremy Bentham - the pursuit of happiness", which was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe 2007 and "Socrates - life and legacy", that was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe are both available for purchase here.
Jan 2008
Final preparations for the play-readings Jeremy Bentham - the pursuit of happiness and Socrates - life and legacy for publishing and purchase from this website.
November 2007
A revision of the forthcoming play-reading of Adam Smith - make poverty history is performed at the Glasgow Unitarian Church.
October 2007
You will find some summaries of David Humes' most important writings: "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" and "An Enquiry Concerning the Principle of Morals". These summaries are offered as a preview of a forthcoming book "Living Philosophy"
September 2007
The play-reading of Scotlands famous philosopher David Hume is available for purchase here.
August 2007
The play reading Jeremy Bentham - The pursuit of Happiness was successfully performed over three show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A review can be found here.
May 2007
This website goes live
April 2007
The Radicals win an award from Scotland Unltd to help in production of this website and promoting the Radicals plays.
August 2006
The Radicals
successfully
perform David Hume - Citizen of the World and Socrates - last days and legacy at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
May 2006
The docu-drama Socrates - last days and legacy was finalised and dress rehearsals began.
August 2005
The docu-drama David Hume -Citizen of the World was performed by the Radicals at the Edinburgh Fesitval Fringe.