Married to a man known as silent cal, she never spoke to the press, but she did use her office to bring attention to issues she cared about. Good evening, and welcome to cspan series, first ladies influence and image. Tonight, well be telling you the story of first lady Grace Coolidge who came into office with her husband, the president , in 1923 after the sudden death of president harding. Here to set the stage for us as we learn about the fiveplus years of their time in the white house is amity shlaes, who is a coolidge biographer, syndicated columnist, author of other books on that period. Welcome to the program. Lets have you just tell us about of the arrival of Calvin Coolidge into the white house. How prepare was he for the job . Amity actually, quite prepared because hed been a politician all his life. President coolidge was one of those men who started small in city council, a City Solicitor in massachusetts where the coolidges lived, and went all the way up the ladder of the s
Between the four of us we have written at least 17 biographies. It might be more than that. I was losing count because Randy Roberts has written so many. Youve written more than half of our total number i think. So we have a lot of experience in the genre. We have obviously been drawn to it and have an affinity for it some way or another. Before we begin, let me introduce the panelists, and as i introduce each of you, if you could just stand a minute or two, telling the audience what was it that you used for your biography. What is it you love about the genre. First we have larry, from New York University of arts and a musical writing program. He is particularly interested in the history of broadway and comedy. He has written a play with Richard Rogers in addition to several other books. His most recent biographical word is the documentary film semi davis junior, i gotta be me. Larry, tell us what has drawn you to this. I may be a little different from the rest of the panel my venue is
Okay. Well, good morning, everybody. Today, were going to discuss the jazz age. At least im going to discuss it, and your part of the discussion will be at the end. Please write down any thoughts you have, questions, responses. That would be good. The jazz age, the period from 1919 to 1929 reminds me of the opening lines of the tale of two cities by charles dickens. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Well it wasnt exactly the best of times, but for many people, it was certainly good times. It was the great age of literature, the golden age of sports, music, jazz. The 19th amendment to the constitution, which allowed women to vote in National Elections for the first time. Radio was becoming popular. It was the early days of hollywood and certainly the age of the automobile, the modelt. Automobiles were for almost every budget. It certainly wasnt the worst of times although there were very bad times. And the failures of that decade led to the worldwide depression in the
Introduce the panelists, and as i introduce each of you, if you could just spend a minute or two telling the audience what was it that drew you to biography, and what is it you love about the genre . First we have a professor in the graduate acting program at new york universitys tish school of the arts with an affiliation in the graduate musical theater writing program, and is particularly interested in the history of broadway and of comedy. He has written biographies of xoeter Richard Rogers and p playwright. His most recent is a documentary film sammy davis jr. Ive got to be me. So, larry, tell us what has drawn you to biography. Well, i may be a little different from the rest of the panel. My venue is really entertainment. So obviously in entertainment youre dealing with the public persona of performers, what they sang, what they danced, what they acted. And then, of course, what happens off stage or behind the curtain is equally fascinating as you try to make some sense out of wha
Discussion will be at the end. So please write down any thoughts you have, questions, responses, that would be good. The jazz age, the period from 1919 to 1929 reminds me of the opening lines of a tale of two cities by charles dickens. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Well, it wasnt exactly the best of times, but for many people it was certainly good times. It was a great age of literature, of the golden age of sports, music, jazz. The 19th amendment to the constitution, which allowed women to vote in National Elections for the first time, radio was becoming popular. It was the early days of hollywood and certainly the age of the automobile, the model t. And automobiles were for almost every budget. Those are the good times, which we will discuss, and it wasnt exactly the worst of times, although there were some very bad times. And the failures of that decade led to the worldwide depression in the 1930s and helped the rise of fascism in europe. So lets begin with ta