Delights
The Journey Of Pearl S. Buck
In 1938, Pearl S. Buck, the author of The Good Earth, became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature. This simple statement, however, obscures what’s probably a more important one in terms of explaining her career. If you agree that T.S. Eliot, though born in the United States, was actually British, […]
Lessons in leadership Lessons in leadership
Large organizations are interested in identifying men and women with leadership abilities. They spend a lot of time and money hiring outside experts to deliver leadership training. Such training can range from one-hour inspirational sessions to off-site retreats lasting several days. The presiding leadership guru may have written a book, which is distributed to one […]
To hell and back
Dien Bien Phu was made the capital of Lai Chau Province 17 years ago, but partly by default. The previous capital kept suffering devastating floods, caused partly by deforestation. It may soon disappear altogether under the reservoir of a huge hydro dam. But, of course, there was also another reason to elevate the status of […]
The French debacle in Dien Bien Phu
Dien Bien Phu is a market town in an almost preposterously remote corner of northwest Vietnam. Today it has a population of about 9,000. In 1953, however, it was so small it wasn’t even considered a community and, in fact, didn’t have a name. The phrase Dien Bien Phu translates roughly as “border-area administrative post.” […]
Thomas Chandler Haliburton, aka Sam Slick
Thomas Haliburton was an upper-crust Tory, a successful lawyer and businessman who was appointed to Nova Scotia’s Supreme Court and held office in England after his retirement. He was wealthy, respected and influential — and deeply frustrated. As a member of the conservative elite, Haliburton could not freely express his progressive opinions in Nova Scotia […]
An Italian castle in the woods
The phrase “It was a dark and stormy night” might echo the thoughts of the new Italian ambassador when he arrived at his home on the Aylmer Road on a dark, frigid January night this year. But when he woke up, he found he was in one of the most beautiful diplomatic residences in the […]
Margaret’s Table on TV: A preview
Are you one of those ardent viewers of TV cooking shows? Many people do spend hours each day watching a myriad of chefs stir, toss, sauté, purée and whatever. Well, this fall, I am again joining the ranks of those zealous chefs who attempt to share their own brand of culinary skills with viewers […]
The romance of late harvest wine production
Autumn is an exciting time in a vineyard. After a long year of work, patience and more than a little concern and anxiety, everything comes to fruition. In the Northern Hemisphere, the time for harvest can begin in September and, depending on the grape varietal, vineyard location, the year-to-date climatic conditions and the desired final […]
Getting to your goals
What does a diplomat living in Ottawa have in common with a public servant on the Hill or a private-sector CEO? Goals. Sure, the nature of the goals varies, but successful goal-pursuit is the defining common feature of success in any of our careers. We all have goals. We don’t all achieve them. The question […]
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