Mythology & Diana Ross

 

“Mythology” by Lady Hestia Evans, edited by Dugald A. Steer c.2007, Candlewick Press, $19.99, $25 Canada, 32 pages

 

How cool would it be to hang out with your very own three-headed dog?

Or to slay monsters or have a father who is a king? What if you could ride a magic ship, fly through the air to pass notes to your friends or visit with creatures that are half human and half horse?

You can read about those wondrous things, ancient Greece, fantastical creatures, amazing warriors and more in the new book “Mythology” by Lady Hestia Evans (edited by Dugald A. Steer).

 

A long time ago, people who lived in Greece believed that a group of powerful gods once lived on Earth and that mankind was created in imitation of them. The Greeks thought that these gods ruled the universe and shared it with terrible beasts and monsters. Ancient Greek scholars and some Roman ones too, wrote the tales of these mighty rulers and scary mutants in the form of what we now call Mythology.

So how did those old stories get here?

 

Once upon a time, a woman named Lady Hestia Evans went on a voyage to visit ancient Greek sites. Lady Evans wrote a book about her travels and about mythology. Her book, it’s been said, was used by an unsavory man named John Oro, who wanted to contact the immortals “for selfish gains.” Oro left behind his personal notes in this book as a warning to anyone who dared to mess with the gods.

 

Is that a myth, too? You decide as you read about how the gods were created and how Zeus became king. Find out how the universe was born as well as the epic battle that created the heavens and the seas. Learn how mankind was created and open Pandora ’s Box to see how the world’s troubles started. Find out why you have an Achilles’ tendon in your foot, and why someone might say you have a Midas touch. Play a quick game with the knowledge cards included in this book, follow the Minotaur’s maze, and touch your very own bit of Golden Fleece. Then, open the back envelope and tell your friends all about the amazing things you know.

Think ancient Greek text is boring, dry, out of touch and only for stodgy college courses? You won’t think that any more when you read this book.

 

“Mythology” is the latest in Candlewick Press’s “Ologies” series, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. The photos of Greek pottery, black-and-white illustrations, and lightly colored artwork are reason alone to give this book to your child. Add in the interactive maps, cards, mini-books, flaps, pull-aparts, and the way-cool feather pen, and you have a teaching tool that’s part book, part hands-on plaything and all fun for a kid who’s interested in fantasy, history, mythology, or fantastical creatures.

 

“Mythology” is meant for kids ages seven and up, but I wouldn’t hesitate for one minute to buy it for an adult. For anyone who’s fascinated by Zeus, Aphrodite, The Underworld, and other ancient Greek stories, this book is a prize. And that’s no myth. 

 

“Diana Ross: A Biography” by J. Randy Taraborrelli c.2007, Citadel Press $26.95 / $34.95 Canada, 539 pages, includes discography, notes and index

Every year, as twinkly-eyed hopefuls stream to L.A., New York, and Nashville, they wonder what it’ll take to become stars.

 

Legend says that Lana Turner was “discovered” sitting at a drug store counter. Drew Barrymore was born into a famous dynasty. The Olsen Twins were toddlers when they hit the big time on the Small Screen. So what combination of work, good fortune, good ancestry and kismet does it take to become famous?

 

In the new book “Diana Ross: A Biography” by J. Randy Taraborrelli, you’ll see that it sometimes takes focus and a willingness to push one’s self into the path of stardom.  Others might have called that pushiness.

In retrospect, nobody should’ve been surprised that little Diane (her birth name) Ross from Detroit’s Brewster Projects would become a star. Family members recall that she loved being the center of attention and craved approval. She was happy, Taraborrelli indicates, to curry favor with Berry Gordy, founder of Motown. Gordy was inundated with kids from Detroit, who wanted to become Motown stars. 

Diane was no different.

Gordy gave her her wish.

 

But Diana Ross’ wish was, more or less, the undoing of her relationship with Florence Ballard, the original founder of The Supremes, and with Mary Wilson. Taraborrelli hints and other witnesses support, that Ross schemed her way to more and more power within the group and without her singing partners. As the group evolved from “The Supremes” to “Diana Ross and The Supremes,” arguments and jealousies sprouted. Florence Ballard was fired on the day after her birthday in 1967. Mary Wilson hung in after Ross left the group in 1970. 

 

No one who listens to the radio needs to be reminded that leaving The Supremes was not the end of Diana Ross’ career or even her life in the limelight. She’s enjoyed more mega-selling hits and professional triumphs, but she also took many hits to her personal life.  Taraborrelli points out that Ross’ chart-topping stopped almost two decades ago, but she continues to command respect, both from reporters and from her staff. She’s still a star, a diva, Taraborrelli says, and she finally feels like it, after over 40 years of performing.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book when I started it. I knew that author J. Randy Taraborrelli was a Diana Ross fan from way back. Would that taint this biography?

Happily, no. 

 

“Diana Ross: A Biography” is well-done, not overly-gushing or fan-struck, filled with good and not-so-good anecdotes. I was particularly interested to see that Taraborrelli included stories not only of his personal relationships with the Ross family, but also a few can’t-believe-it brushes he had with the Diva when he was hired to pen his former books about her.

 

If you grew up with Ross’ music or if you’ve followed along with the tabloids, you might not find anything earth-shattering in this book but don’t let that deter you from enjoying it.  “Diana Ross: A Biography” is one supremely thorough bio for any Ross fan.