The Baker family influenced popular culture in America for more than one hundred years, through newspapers, plays, books, short stories, and film. They were best-sellers in their time, known on the street, in the theater, and at the publishing house. But who remembers them now? Albert Baker was first. His father was a sail-maker in … More The Boston Bakers: 100 Years of Forgotten Best Sellers
One hundred fifty years ago, September 5, 1866, at 5 Chardon Street in Boston, Maria Emily Baker was born to George Melville Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. If there were an “On the Day You Were Born” greeting card back then, it could have included some of these… “Here are the headlines on the … More Happy 150th Birthday, Emilie Loring!
This copy of Uncharted Seas has seen better days. I cannot tell you how many beach towels, canoe bottoms, and swimming floats it has seen, nor how many pillowcases, carry-on bags and jacket pockets it’s been stuffed into. I looked for a cleaner copy to show here, and then I thought, no, this is perfect. … More New Thinking and New Love in Uncharted Seas
Swift Water is so different from Emilie Loring’s other novels. When Jean Randolph arrives home, Ezry Barker asks, “Say, Jean, been gittin’ into trouble so soon? Seems though I see th’ old symptoms. Didn’t fetch the Turrible Twin along with ye, did ye?” But that’s just what this book is about: terrible twins. Jean’s mother … More Tragic Undercurrents in “Swift Water”
There was always something about Boston. It wasn’t just that Emilie was born there. Generations of her family had felt its inspiration. This was where her grandfather started anew after a Portland fire and founded the Boston Herald. It was where her father forged one career in publishing and another in amateur drama, where Emilie … More The Solitary Horseman
“Mystery – Love – Thrills – Adventure” promises the ad for Emilie Loring’s third novel, A Certain Crossroad. Heiress Judith Halliday runs away from an impulsive marriage to Doctor Neil Peyton only to run into him again in a small, Maine village. “Do you ever think back and wonder what would have happened had … More A Certain Crossroad
Tonight is the premier of “Mercy Street” on PBS. I always appreciate historical works done well, and from the video, it appears that this new series scores on that account. The reason I bring it to your attention here is the main character, Mary Phinney. Mary is a New England girl who goes to the … More Different Times, Different Brands of Courage
The Emilie Loring Collection 