New Book from Harriet Reisen: Louisa May Alcott Biography

Harriet Reisen wrote a new biography about Louisa Mae Alcott. Alcott, of course, was the author of Little Women, as well as many other works. Yesterday, Reisen appeared on NPR's Diane Rehm show to discuss both the book and the documentary of Alcott that will be broadcast on PBS in December. Check out this podcast of the Diane Rehm show here: Harriet Reisen: Louisa May Alcott (Henry Holt)

Based upon what Reisen said during the program, Alcott's life sounds very interesting. Louisa Mae Alcott lived from 1832 to 1888. In additional to being a commercially successful author, Alcott was a feminist, abolitionist, a nurse during the Civil War, and occasionally smoked hashish. This is a life story I want to read.

WSJ: Crime Novels from Scandinavia

Tom Nolan has an interesting column in the Wall Street Journal today about crime novels produced by Scandinavian authors. The column was inspired by the running on PBS "Masterpiece Mystery!" of a three-episode series based upon the Inspector Kurt Wallander books by Swedish author Henning Mankell.

I've been a fan of Mystery! (now "Masterpiece Mystery!") on PBS ever since it was hosted by Vincent Price. The Wallander series is great. In addition to interesting plots and good acting, what is particularly striking about the series is how beautifully it has been filmed. If you have the chance to watch these programs on a big screen, HD television, do so. But it is also looks great on your computer. The Wallander programs can be watched on-line at pbs.org until Sunday, June 7, 2009.

PBS Series "We Shall Remain" Begins Monday, April 13