History: January 2013 Archives

Sterling Hayden's Reagan - The Chronicle of Higher Education

An account of Ronald Reagan's powers of persuasion. Reagan and William Holden crashed a 1946 meeting of Screen Actors Guild members hosted by Communist sympathizers, and Reagan proceeded to rebut the arguments of the pro-Red faction, keeping his cool amidst catcalls. "...whether you love Reagan's ideas or hate them, you have to admit that Reagan was a political force...." Sterling Hayden, who was on the other side of the argument that night, wrote, "Reagan showed up and took over and ground you into a pulp; they all kept looking to you to hold him down but he dominated the whole thing and when it was over they told you right to your face you were pretty weak and the gathering did more harm than good." Blogger Mark Bauerlein, no fan of Reagan, writes, "The more you underestimate the qualities of a winner, the more likely it is that you will continue to lose."

Isaac Newton's Fitzwilliam Notebook (Diplomatic Version)

Isaac Newton's catalog of his own sins from 1662, his expenses from 1666 and 1669, and notes on geometry.

Some of his transgressions: "Making a mousetrap on Thy day," "Contriving of the chimes on Thy day," "Squirting water on Thy day," "Having uncleane thoughts words and actions and dreamese," "Carelessly hearing and committing many sermons," "Setting my heart on money learning pleasure more than Thee," "Not living according to my belief," "Not turning nearer to Thee for my affections."

Some of his expenses: "ffor my degree to ye Colledg: £5 10s." "Making yt & turning my Bachelors Goune: £1 6d." "ffor oranges \1667/ for my sister: 4s. 2d."