The Daily Dose/January 21, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
CAPSULE BOOK REVIEW: The Pioneers, by David McCullough: If, like us, you’ve foolishly spent your life living in the West, then you might not think an in-depth, substantive look at the settling of Ohio would be all that interesting. McCullough, with typical diligence and brilliance, shows that it is. The Pioneers is about the first settlers in the Northwest Territories – what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and northeast Minnesota – and specifically its first settlement, Marietta, Ohio, where the Muskingum and Ohio rivers meet.
Fly In The Ointment: We picked it up thinking it would be about the settlement of the entire American west, but identical paintings of the confluence of the Muskingum and the Ohio on both inside covers show this would not be the case, though we weren’t bright enough to notice that. We would have bought it anyway because McCullough could do a history of Tucumcari, New Mexico and make it fascinating, but be forewarned: The Pioneers is about the settling of Ohio.
Stop Us If You’ve Heard This Before: McCullough uses the same formula he implemented years ago: immediately we are introduced to someone interesting to know – in this case the Rev. Manasseh Cutler – and soon after we are immersed. Cutler, living in New England, is working Congress hard to authorize settlement of the territory and it is moderately interesting to note Cutler never lives there and only visits it once, though his family is active there from the start.
Dry, Technical Matter: Also making appearances are former Vice President Aaron Burr, fresh off his killing of Alexander Hamilton and looking to overthrow the government in the west, John Chapman, known to history as Johnny Appleseed, and Charles Dickens, who is visiting the area and can’t get over how dull us Americans are.
Running The Numbers: Here is the Leading Off rating scale: 1 – Splendid; 2 – Superior; 3- Good; 4 – Average; 5 – A steaming pile.
Final Ranking: 2: We give McCullough his usual high marks, though criticism about his glossing over our usual screwing of the Indians is valid. He refers to the area as previously unsettled and while he doesn’t deny the Indians had long built lives for themselves there, they are mere barriers to the advancement of American ideals and not a people being invaded.
Look, it’s not our fault the Indians had a lax immigration policy and we chose not to let that distract from our enjoyment of the book. McCullough does his work wonderfully and – par for the McCullough course – he gives the impression he is thoroughly enjoying himself with every step of the journey he is taking you on.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
Damn straight Read Free Fortnight rolls on.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has some good strength in the gym. Today’s Diary.
Just for funsies, I upped the weight on the bench press…Recall I moved the last set eleven times Tuesday and the plan was to move it eleven times again and then up the weight Friday, but I did it today, tho I only got it up six times…I was disappointed in this, but then I realized I’d put ten more pounds on each side (200 lbs total) instead of the five I’d planned, and in that case, six isn’t too bad…You’re still building muscle with six and, in fact, those are the reps some bodybuilders use.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1970 – The first 747 airplane enters commercial service, with a Pan-Am flight from New York City to London. It was the first twin-aisle airliner, had a top speed of 490 knots (over 550 mph) and could accommodate 366 passengers in three travel classes. The 747 was built with a partial second level to accommodate a cargo door in the nose because it was anticipated supersonic air travel would eventually supersede it, with the 747 later converted to a cargo plane, though the 747 remains in passenger – and cargo – service today.
In 1983 – The Houston Rockets establish a new NBA record for the fewest points in an overtime period in a 113-96 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets scored zero points, to break the mark of two that had been done many times. The mark has been tied ten times since, most recently by the Chicago Bulls on November 7, 2015.
In 1972 – Don McClean is at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for the first of seven consecutive weeks with American Pie. It was the second of six chart albums for McClean and remains his only #1 album. American Pie produced two chart singles, the title track, which was in its second of four consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100, and Vincent, which peaked at #12. The album also went to #1 in Australia and Canada, and peaked at #3 in Great Britain.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Carpentier did it again!, a second time, and this was the blow perfected by a lifetime of training…it rocked Dempsey to his heels, but it broke Carpentier’s hand. His best was not enough.
Heywood Braun
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
America’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) which was active from 1961-2012.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What is the NBA record for the fewest points scored in a regulation quarter? – Answer next time!
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