African-American Poetry, 1760-1900
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/efts/AAP/
Utilizing software developed at the University of Chicago, this online database of African-American poetry is a fine resource for people looking for a compendium of poems by numerous notable 18th and 19th century African-American poets. First-time users will want to read the users manual, which explains the software used to design the database, and how to best utilize the available search engine, which allows for a number of detailed searching methods. The database itself contains 12 million words from a total of 86 works. Visitors looking to browse the online works should consult the bibliography section, as it contains a detailed description of the authors and works covered within the database. Visitors familiar with this genre will note the inclusion of many notable poets, including Paul Dunbar, James Corrothers, and Albery Allson Whitman. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

The Wagner Library
http://users.belgacom.net/wagnerlibrary/
For many lovers of opera, there are composers who have written opera, and there is Richard Wagner. During his lifetime, Wagner wrote and staged some of the most detailed and densely-structured operas of the 19th century, including Gotterdammerung, Die Walkure, Das Rheingold, and Tristan und Isolde. Edited and designed by Patrick Swinkels, this Web site represents what is perhaps the most ambitious effort thus far to present many of Wagner's prose writings online, along with his correspondence and libretti. On the site, visitors can read reviews of his operatic productions from the 19th century, and read background essays about the myths and legends he drew on for his many works. Additionally, the site presents (in English translation) the complete text of the 1911 edition of Wagner's letters to his family, and also features links to the legendary correspondence between Wagner and Liszt housed at the Project Gutenberg Web site. It may be worth taking a look at the site just to read some of Wagner's elaborate (if not always well-structured) musings, particularly "The Artist and Publicity," which begins with a characteristically dramatic flourish: "When I am along, and the musical strings begin to stir within me, strange whirling sounds take shape of chords, until at last a melody springs forth, revealing to me the idea of my whole being." [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

G8 Information Centre at the University of Toronto [pdf]
http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/
Since 1975, the heads of state of the major industrial democracies have met annually to discuss the major economic and political issues facing their respective political entities, and more broadly, the entire international community. This past weekend, these seven main countries (with Russia joining the organization in 2006) met in Evian, France. Provided and developed by the University of Toronto, this Web site is an exhaustive guide to the most recent proceedings at this year's G8 Conference, along with substantial documents from last year's G7 gathering. Just about any type of policy brief or document from these very important international gatherings is available on this site, along with frequent updates and responses from the different representatives. Not surprisingly, much of the material is available in different languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian. For policy makers and those with a concern for international affairs, this Web site will be one of great importance. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

Experiencing War: Stories from the Veterans History Project [RealOne Player]
http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/stories/
Developed by the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress, this site offers visual and written testimony about the experiences of United States veterans ranging from those who served in World War I, to those who served in the first Gulf War. The documents are organized into three main topical areas, including courage, patriotism, and community. The community section features recollections of the communal experience found by many who served in the Armed Forces, including those of John Walter Earle, who was a Special Services Officer during World War II. The patriotism section contains documents that relate the first-hand experiences of seven who served, including the harrowing and terrifying account of James Walsh's time in the Korean War. Each one of the narratives contains information about the individual's time of service, primary documents, and in some instances, video clips from recent interviews. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

Greek Gods: Medicine from the Gods to Galen
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek/index.html
Along with their monumental achievements in the fields of architecture and philosophy, the Greeks bequeathed to subsequent generations many insights into the practice of medicine -- along with observations about anatomy and physiology. This online exhibit, sponsored by the National Library of Medicine's History of Medicine Division, offers a brief overview of these discoveries. Before reading the detailed individual profiles, users will want to read the introduction provided here, along with glancing through a timeline that outlines the historical development of medical practices and innovations in ancient Greece. Users can then proceed to read about the various figures in Greek medicine, including Hippocrates and Galen, who was a strong advocate of observation and experimentation. For those looking for additional resources, the site also provides a section offering some recommended works. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

Mostly Medieval: Exploring the Middle Ages
http://skell.org/SKELL/index2.htm
After researching and writing a novel set in 13th century Scotland, Susan Wallace decided to develop a Web site that would contain information about heraldry, myths, religion, and medicine during the Middle Ages. The site is divided into seven thematic areas, including "Ballads," "Beasties," "Heraldry," and "Medicine." In the "Ballads" section, visitors can read a complete text version (or synopsis) of numerous ballads from the Middle Ages, such as the ballad of Gude Wallace, Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne, and The Unquiet Grave, where a dead woman expresses her distaste for mourning. The "Heraldry" section is one of the most engaging, as it includes a brief introduction to this time-honored practice, and features a wonderful dictionary of fabulous beasts used as part of the coat-of-arms. These fascinating creatures include the calopus (a wolf-like animal with spiked horns), and the lindorm (a huge snake-like creature). Intended for those with a casual interest in the Middle Ages, this site will be a nice diversion, and perhaps spark a trip to the library for more works dealing with the era. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]