The challenges of the seriously successful 1940s businesswoman
The novel
Photograph by Tim Robberts
In the world of cosmetics, Devon Elliott is a master of the universe, presiding over an empire of swank salons and pricey potions that she built up from practically nothing. And, like many CEOs, Devon lives and breathes her business, which is how she ended up sleeping with the married man who is her chief subordinate. Their affair went on for four years, and afterwards they remained best friends and comrades in arms.
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by Daniel Akst
There is no outrage over this, because Devon is the protagonist of a novel published nearly 80 years ago.
In 1942, Dr. Adele Kibre dark-haired, wicked-eyed, a medievalist by training began work as an overseas agent for the Interdepartmental Committee for the Acquisition of Foreign Publications. This Committee was a branch of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS): the wartime predecessor to the CIA, which sought to acquire documents in Europe that the Allies could use to develop intelligence and plan covert operations. Kibre, a scholar, was now also a spy.
Kibre was an ideal fit for the job. After receiving a PhD in medieval linguistics (University of Chicago, 1930), she had spent almost a decade hopping from archive to archive across Europe, earning cash by taking photographs of rare texts for scholars back home in the United States. In addition to her camera skills, Kibre had a gift for gaining access to closed archives. When Kibre once asked as Kathy Peiss describes, in a marvelous new book about spy craft and the book world during the Second World War to view “an unusually rare ma
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While revelations from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s March 7 interview with Oprah Winfrey seemed to astound viewers and cultural analysts alike, the polarizing perspectives that emerged during the ensuing media firestorm were far less surprising. Some outlets lauded the couple’s bravery and candor; others blasted them for leveling “incendiary” charges at the British royal family. The public ire directed at Markle was rather predictable, too, especially given that the former actress has been the target of incessant scrutiny and, at times, ruthless antagonism since 2016, when the news broke of her relationship with the younger of the two Windsor princes.
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey schedules March events
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey schedules March events
The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) will offer the following virtual events during March:
A Music, Bubble and Comedy Show will be presented from 4:30-5:15 p.m. March 9. Discover a show that engages children of all ages and developmental abilities with songs, comedy, bubbles, and music technology. Register at sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4652088.
Meet author Debbie Levy of “Writing RBG” from 1-2 p.m. March 10. Connect with the New York Times best-selling author. Register at sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4644913.