Thursday, April 7, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Around The World In 80 Days- Good Reads Book Review #6
Around The World In 80 Days
Rate: 5 of 5
The planet Earth, a vast place filled with mysteries and adventure that we all can call home. Have you ever thought about traveling around it? Having an expedition in which you would travel completely around it, eventually landing back were you started? Well, an Englishman known as Phileas Fogg placed a wager on it, and he is about to take a journey of a life time in a novel called Around The World In 80 Days. Written by Jules Verne, it is a classical adventure novel that is a must read for anyone that is human. In fact, you should know that this book was first published in 1873 in the French Language and since then it has been translated and published in hundreds of other languages, such as English. (Which I read) It is now perhaps known around the world, (ha-ha, do you get it?) and it is a 192 page masterpiece! This probably took me about a good week to read (as I don’t have much time), but I bet you could possibly read this within a weekend. Now let me give you a tiny glimpse of what the novel is about.
Phileas Fogg is a very punctual Englishman living the great city of London. He is extremely wealthy, straight forward, and quite eccentric. "I've seen people at Madame Tussaud's as lively as my new master!" (Verne, Jules, pg. 9, 2004) This is how Mr. Fogg’s new servant thought of him as a first impression, and it gives you some insight of what he seems to be like. However, like any regular day, he walked to the Reform club, met with some associates, and in a conversation he places a bet of 20000 pounds, saying that he can travel around the world in 80 days. Of course, back then, this would have been nearly impossible to do, as they didn't have the technology we have today. If he fails to make it back to the club in exactly 80 days, he will lose half of his fortune. Accompanied by his new, but loyal, as well as trustworthy servant, Passepartout, they embark on a magnificent journey which takes them through Asia, and all the way into the United States. While on their journey, they rescue an Indian woman, Ms. Aouda, from a sacrificial ritual. Fogg has given his word to get the woman to safety in Hong Kong to her relatives. However, when they find out that her relative didn't live there anymore, she has no choice but to accompany the two on their journey. Back in London however, there has been a bank robbery, where the thief got away with a total grand amount of 50000 pounds! The police's suspicion arouses on to Mr. Fogg, who they think has made up an excuse to travel around the world in 80 days, in order to get away from the arms of law. Thus, a private detective is sent out to follow Phileas Fogg, gather evidence against him, and wait for an arrest warrant to throw him into jail. This of course delays Fogg's progress. Mr. Fogg who has little time to spare must now get back to the club within the given time, or he will lose half of his fortune, along with the other half which he has spent on his wild journey. With natural phenomena's and the investigator against him, he must use his punctuality to win the bet. Will he get back to the club in time? Find out by getting yourself a copy of this magnificent classic!
In this classical piece of literature, the main theme can be ascertained from the topic of the book Around the World in Eighty Days. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus a major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days, especially during that time, when it was near impossible. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds against him. The mood of the book is that of adventure and the excitement that is always a part of “travel”. Phileas Fogg accepts the challenge to go around the world in eighty days and in accomplishing this feat he goes through various lands and meets with diverse adventures. Thus the book proceeds at a fast pace and there is always some excitement resulting from the various encounters. Also, there is a little element of mystery as well in the mood with the suspicion that Fogg might be the gentleman robber, guilty of a major theft at the Bank of England. Passepartout is told by Fix (The Detective) that his master is not what he seems and even though Passepartout tends to trust Fogg, there is a sense of tension that Fogg might just be the culprit. Even the reader wonders whether Fogg could be guilty and becomes curious about Fogg’s reality. In addition, another distinct element in the mood is that of challenge and struggling against odds. Fogg and his companions face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to go around the world at an incredible pace. Fogg leads them with his calmness and rationality. Whether it be while fighting the Sioux or rushing to London from Liverpool in a specially hired train. What the reader gets to read eventually is an exciting and truly adventurous tale. As you can see, a message that the author is trying to communicate would be that nothing is impossible, and that you should do what you believe you can. Like I said before, Fogg was going against all odds, in what is seemingly impossible, but nevertheless he accomplished it.
The character, Phileas Fogg displays a personality of calmness and rationality truly helps to demonstrate the author’s message. It is this personality that lets the story play out the way it did. If I were in his place, I would have panicked throughout the whole trip. In my head, I would think, “I am never going to make, it! This storm is going to make us late. OH NO!” However, Fogg keeps his cool the whole entire time. When there was a storm, he acted as if it wasn’t going to change anything. In the novel, the author of the states “The weather was bad during the latter days of the voyage... Phileas Fogg gazed at the tempestuous sea, which seemed to be struggling especially to delay him, with his habitual tranquility. He never changed countenance for an instant, though a delay of 20 hours, by making him late for the Yakohama boat, would almost inevitably cause the loss of his wager. But this man of nerve manifested neither impatience nor annoyance; it seemed as if the storm were part of his programme, and had been foreseen.” (Verne, Jules, pg. 85, 2004). This quote is an excellent example of how he handled a situation, and you can see his personality very clearly from it. He believed that it was all in the calculations of the trip. All of Phileas Fogg’s actions I admire, as I could never be able to do such a thing, especially if I had a wager on it.
I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5! Jules Verne truly lives up to his reputation of writing sci-fictional novels in this must read classic. His writing can truly captivate you, with vivid details and explanation you can literally draw a picture in your mind of what is happening. This thrilling read will keep you on the edge of your seat right to its exhilarating end, as Fogg pits his wits against the people and circumstances that conspire against his success. Existing today as one of the world’s favorite adventure stores, I would recommend it to people of all ages! Make sure you can understand most of the words however, because those details truly enhance the story. If you ever see it at your library, or book store, or lying around in your home, pick it up and give it a chance. You won’t regret it! I just might need to read more of Jules Verne’s books, and up next I may read A Journey To The Center Of The Earth. Stick Around for future reviews.
Foot Notes: Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London, as well as around the world. Phileas Fogg is compared to people there, who are made of wax, so it describes his personality as quite calm, still and perhaps dull.
Rate: 5 of 5
The planet Earth, a vast place filled with mysteries and adventure that we all can call home. Have you ever thought about traveling around it? Having an expedition in which you would travel completely around it, eventually landing back were you started? Well, an Englishman known as Phileas Fogg placed a wager on it, and he is about to take a journey of a life time in a novel called Around The World In 80 Days. Written by Jules Verne, it is a classical adventure novel that is a must read for anyone that is human. In fact, you should know that this book was first published in 1873 in the French Language and since then it has been translated and published in hundreds of other languages, such as English. (Which I read) It is now perhaps known around the world, (ha-ha, do you get it?) and it is a 192 page masterpiece! This probably took me about a good week to read (as I don’t have much time), but I bet you could possibly read this within a weekend. Now let me give you a tiny glimpse of what the novel is about.
Phileas Fogg is a very punctual Englishman living the great city of London. He is extremely wealthy, straight forward, and quite eccentric. "I've seen people at Madame Tussaud's as lively as my new master!" (Verne, Jules, pg. 9, 2004) This is how Mr. Fogg’s new servant thought of him as a first impression, and it gives you some insight of what he seems to be like. However, like any regular day, he walked to the Reform club, met with some associates, and in a conversation he places a bet of 20000 pounds, saying that he can travel around the world in 80 days. Of course, back then, this would have been nearly impossible to do, as they didn't have the technology we have today. If he fails to make it back to the club in exactly 80 days, he will lose half of his fortune. Accompanied by his new, but loyal, as well as trustworthy servant, Passepartout, they embark on a magnificent journey which takes them through Asia, and all the way into the United States. While on their journey, they rescue an Indian woman, Ms. Aouda, from a sacrificial ritual. Fogg has given his word to get the woman to safety in Hong Kong to her relatives. However, when they find out that her relative didn't live there anymore, she has no choice but to accompany the two on their journey. Back in London however, there has been a bank robbery, where the thief got away with a total grand amount of 50000 pounds! The police's suspicion arouses on to Mr. Fogg, who they think has made up an excuse to travel around the world in 80 days, in order to get away from the arms of law. Thus, a private detective is sent out to follow Phileas Fogg, gather evidence against him, and wait for an arrest warrant to throw him into jail. This of course delays Fogg's progress. Mr. Fogg who has little time to spare must now get back to the club within the given time, or he will lose half of his fortune, along with the other half which he has spent on his wild journey. With natural phenomena's and the investigator against him, he must use his punctuality to win the bet. Will he get back to the club in time? Find out by getting yourself a copy of this magnificent classic!
In this classical piece of literature, the main theme can be ascertained from the topic of the book Around the World in Eighty Days. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus a major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days, especially during that time, when it was near impossible. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds against him. The mood of the book is that of adventure and the excitement that is always a part of “travel”. Phileas Fogg accepts the challenge to go around the world in eighty days and in accomplishing this feat he goes through various lands and meets with diverse adventures. Thus the book proceeds at a fast pace and there is always some excitement resulting from the various encounters. Also, there is a little element of mystery as well in the mood with the suspicion that Fogg might be the gentleman robber, guilty of a major theft at the Bank of England. Passepartout is told by Fix (The Detective) that his master is not what he seems and even though Passepartout tends to trust Fogg, there is a sense of tension that Fogg might just be the culprit. Even the reader wonders whether Fogg could be guilty and becomes curious about Fogg’s reality. In addition, another distinct element in the mood is that of challenge and struggling against odds. Fogg and his companions face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to go around the world at an incredible pace. Fogg leads them with his calmness and rationality. Whether it be while fighting the Sioux or rushing to London from Liverpool in a specially hired train. What the reader gets to read eventually is an exciting and truly adventurous tale. As you can see, a message that the author is trying to communicate would be that nothing is impossible, and that you should do what you believe you can. Like I said before, Fogg was going against all odds, in what is seemingly impossible, but nevertheless he accomplished it.
The character, Phileas Fogg displays a personality of calmness and rationality truly helps to demonstrate the author’s message. It is this personality that lets the story play out the way it did. If I were in his place, I would have panicked throughout the whole trip. In my head, I would think, “I am never going to make, it! This storm is going to make us late. OH NO!” However, Fogg keeps his cool the whole entire time. When there was a storm, he acted as if it wasn’t going to change anything. In the novel, the author of the states “The weather was bad during the latter days of the voyage... Phileas Fogg gazed at the tempestuous sea, which seemed to be struggling especially to delay him, with his habitual tranquility. He never changed countenance for an instant, though a delay of 20 hours, by making him late for the Yakohama boat, would almost inevitably cause the loss of his wager. But this man of nerve manifested neither impatience nor annoyance; it seemed as if the storm were part of his programme, and had been foreseen.” (Verne, Jules, pg. 85, 2004). This quote is an excellent example of how he handled a situation, and you can see his personality very clearly from it. He believed that it was all in the calculations of the trip. All of Phileas Fogg’s actions I admire, as I could never be able to do such a thing, especially if I had a wager on it.
I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5! Jules Verne truly lives up to his reputation of writing sci-fictional novels in this must read classic. His writing can truly captivate you, with vivid details and explanation you can literally draw a picture in your mind of what is happening. This thrilling read will keep you on the edge of your seat right to its exhilarating end, as Fogg pits his wits against the people and circumstances that conspire against his success. Existing today as one of the world’s favorite adventure stores, I would recommend it to people of all ages! Make sure you can understand most of the words however, because those details truly enhance the story. If you ever see it at your library, or book store, or lying around in your home, pick it up and give it a chance. You won’t regret it! I just might need to read more of Jules Verne’s books, and up next I may read A Journey To The Center Of The Earth. Stick Around for future reviews.
Foot Notes: Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London, as well as around the world. Phileas Fogg is compared to people there, who are made of wax, so it describes his personality as quite calm, still and perhaps dull.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Great Gatsby- Good Reads Book Review #5
The Great Gatsby-By F. Scott Fitzgerald
I rate this book a 5 out of 5
The Great Gatsby, one of those classical American novels that the 20th century is known for. It is perhaps F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel--a book that offers deep and insightful views of the American culture and dream. Like much of Fitzgerald's work, it is neat and well crafted. He seems to have had a brilliant understanding of lives that are corrupted by greed and incredibly sad and unfulfilled. The novel is a product of its generation, and if you haven’t ever heard of it or read it, you should within your lifetime. Told from the perspective of an outsider, Fitzgerald pulls the reader in with amazingly detailed descriptions of a world so few are a part of. For me, the first time reading this book was like wandering through the dark, and it took me a while to see what a true masterpiece this novel is. The Great Gatsby is a literary treasure that has much meaning behind it, but you might just need to dig deeper to find it.
The novel's events are filtered through the consciousness of its narrator, Nick Carraway, a young Yale graduate, who is both a part of and separate from the world he describes. Upon moving to New York, he rents a house next door to the mansion of an eccentric millionaire, Jay Gatsby. Every Saturday, Gatsby throws a party at his mansion and all the great and the good of the young fashionable world come to marvel at his extravagance. Despite his high-living, Gatsby is dissatisfied, desperate for love and to fulfill his own farfetched dream. Everything he ever did in his life was for the sole purpose of his dream, but Gatsby was eventually blinded from reality, seeing only an illusion of the real world. Is that the truth of the American Dream?
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
(Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
This quote represents the foundation Nick Carraway’s morals and beliefs. This is the very opening of “The Great Gatsby” sets the tone for a book about society and class. We know immediately that Nick is privileged, and that he is painfully conscious of it. To me it means that if there is something you distaste about someone, you must understand that they were raised differently and may not think the way you do. They may not have had the same chances you were offered in life, or experienced the same things you have. This leads into another of Nick’s quotes; "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope." (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007) He believes that people have the power to change who they are, and you should not criticize them, in hopes that they can and will change. However the reality of it all is that much people don’t change and they refuse to, so it is a matter of infinite hope that you believe that they will. This highlights one of the key themes of the book.
“Can't repeat the past?…Why of course you can! He cried incredulously” (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 6, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
Gatsby himself makes this remark and this reflects his perception and hope. All his life he has been trying to get back the love of his life, even though in reality it is impossible. He harbors an infinite amount of hope that even Nick is astounded by. He believes that he can in fact do anything, especially with his money, but in actuality it is quite the contrary. Gatsby has an obscure view of the reality, trying to reach for something that is unobtainable. He felt as if he was so close to it, but he was still far, far away. Gatsby had put his trust in unstable things- wealth, social superiority, and his idealism and ambition made him reach too far for things he didn’t have. Gatsby then ended up losing what he did have.
To be completely honest, at first I was a little hesitant picking this book up and reading for class because it just didn’t seem to suit me. It also just seemed to bore me at first, but you know what they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. That saying was very true indeed and I later realized what a true masterpiece this novel is. In less than 200 pages, Fitzgerald creates a world so rich in detail, extravagance, and inhabited by characters of such a careless nature one has trouble believing they are all part of the same book. It's a small snapshot of human nature one hopes is never a reflection. They are simple creatures who care nothing more than about themselves and what they can get out of anyone and any situation. The novel overall reveals the extravagance and corruption of the 1920’s. His descriptions are fabulous and words are magnificent in choice. He gives life to very small things -- curtains, the air moving a dress in the breeze. In addition, the symbolism is impeccable, representing much more than a reader could possibly imagine. I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5, recommending it to anyone that would like to read one of the America’s most treasured classical novels. Next time you are at the library, or the local book store, pick it up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it! At times you may not be able to piece things together, but once things click together in your mind you can see the true artistry in it. After all, it’s one of most well-known pieces of literature in the world.
The Great Gatsby, one of those classical American novels that the 20th century is known for. It is perhaps F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel--a book that offers deep and insightful views of the American culture and dream. Like much of Fitzgerald's work, it is neat and well crafted. He seems to have had a brilliant understanding of lives that are corrupted by greed and incredibly sad and unfulfilled. The novel is a product of its generation, and if you haven’t ever heard of it or read it, you should within your lifetime. Told from the perspective of an outsider, Fitzgerald pulls the reader in with amazingly detailed descriptions of a world so few are a part of. For me, the first time reading this book was like wandering through the dark, and it took me a while to see what a true masterpiece this novel is. The Great Gatsby is a literary treasure that has much meaning behind it, but you might just need to dig deeper to find it.
The novel's events are filtered through the consciousness of its narrator, Nick Carraway, a young Yale graduate, who is both a part of and separate from the world he describes. Upon moving to New York, he rents a house next door to the mansion of an eccentric millionaire, Jay Gatsby. Every Saturday, Gatsby throws a party at his mansion and all the great and the good of the young fashionable world come to marvel at his extravagance. Despite his high-living, Gatsby is dissatisfied, desperate for love and to fulfill his own farfetched dream. Everything he ever did in his life was for the sole purpose of his dream, but Gatsby was eventually blinded from reality, seeing only an illusion of the real world. Is that the truth of the American Dream?
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
(Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
This quote represents the foundation Nick Carraway’s morals and beliefs. This is the very opening of “The Great Gatsby” sets the tone for a book about society and class. We know immediately that Nick is privileged, and that he is painfully conscious of it. To me it means that if there is something you distaste about someone, you must understand that they were raised differently and may not think the way you do. They may not have had the same chances you were offered in life, or experienced the same things you have. This leads into another of Nick’s quotes; "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope." (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 1, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007) He believes that people have the power to change who they are, and you should not criticize them, in hopes that they can and will change. However the reality of it all is that much people don’t change and they refuse to, so it is a matter of infinite hope that you believe that they will. This highlights one of the key themes of the book.
“Can't repeat the past?…Why of course you can! He cried incredulously” (Fitzgerald, F. Scott, Chapter 6, eBooks@Adelaide, 2007)
Gatsby himself makes this remark and this reflects his perception and hope. All his life he has been trying to get back the love of his life, even though in reality it is impossible. He harbors an infinite amount of hope that even Nick is astounded by. He believes that he can in fact do anything, especially with his money, but in actuality it is quite the contrary. Gatsby has an obscure view of the reality, trying to reach for something that is unobtainable. He felt as if he was so close to it, but he was still far, far away. Gatsby had put his trust in unstable things- wealth, social superiority, and his idealism and ambition made him reach too far for things he didn’t have. Gatsby then ended up losing what he did have.
To be completely honest, at first I was a little hesitant picking this book up and reading for class because it just didn’t seem to suit me. It also just seemed to bore me at first, but you know what they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. That saying was very true indeed and I later realized what a true masterpiece this novel is. In less than 200 pages, Fitzgerald creates a world so rich in detail, extravagance, and inhabited by characters of such a careless nature one has trouble believing they are all part of the same book. It's a small snapshot of human nature one hopes is never a reflection. They are simple creatures who care nothing more than about themselves and what they can get out of anyone and any situation. The novel overall reveals the extravagance and corruption of the 1920’s. His descriptions are fabulous and words are magnificent in choice. He gives life to very small things -- curtains, the air moving a dress in the breeze. In addition, the symbolism is impeccable, representing much more than a reader could possibly imagine. I rate this book a complete 5 out of 5, recommending it to anyone that would like to read one of the America’s most treasured classical novels. Next time you are at the library, or the local book store, pick it up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it! At times you may not be able to piece things together, but once things click together in your mind you can see the true artistry in it. After all, it’s one of most well-known pieces of literature in the world.
Project Time With Jacky! New Blog!
I have realized how immensely popular "Project Time With Jacky!" has become, so I have decided to create a new blog for all my project adventures! Check it out! The link is in the side bar >>> under my blog list! The current posts will be repost there!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Project Time With Jacky! Day 2
Today folks, I am just going to read the book "Around the World in 80 Days" by- Jules Verne to further my understanding of the topic. If you like you could read along with me as I read about the adventures of Phileas Fogg! Heres a link to the online text! :) http://www.literature.org/authors/verne-jules/eighty/
Monday, March 14, 2011
Project Time With Jacky!
For this post and future posts, I will be sharing my research about the topic of Traveling. I am currently doing a major project that explores in depth this subject and how it relates for many aspects in our lives!
When you think of traveling what is the the first thing that comes to mind? A vacation trip to the tropics? An adventure through the amazonian jungle? A cruise to the Bahamas? A flight to France? These are all great examples of traveling, but it can be much more simple than that. In the dictionary travel is defined as "To go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey". This place could be from your house to your friends house. When you are traveling now a days, there are multiple ways to do it. You could be fancy and fly a jet plane to your friends house, or drive a car, or ride a bike. If that doesn't float your boat, you can do it old-school and just walk there. Walking would be in the very beginnings of travel, it is the simplest way for us humans to do so. However as time went on we advanced to find easier ways to travel. It is kinda a hassle to walk 50 miles don't you think? Instead of walking on feet that distance, we could perhaps ride a animal to speed and process and make it less of a hassle. Humans started to use animals like horses for traveling purposes, then it advances more into machines and boats. We would use boats and ships to travel over great distances over seas, but you couldn't travel much on land with a boat. With an automobile you could travel all over your continent, but you can't drive on the ocean. Now we can travel through the skies with our airplanes, this certainly would have helped during the age of exploration. During Age of Exploration many countries had the desire to travel this very reason. God, Glory and Gold. People wanted to spread the word of god, conquer news lands to find glory, and also search for the riches of the world, becoming wealthy. Traveling also has to do with some cultures, such as Native Americans. Their tribes were always moving around the country, and these people are known as nomads. It also varies with cultures, like in Egypt and desert areas, they use camels to travel, while in America they would use horses.
This is some of the research I conducted today to gather information for my project.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Taking Down The Christmas Tree
Oddly enough today, my family has decided to finally take down our Christmas tree. It has been up since before Christmas, and now its months past, that we are taking it down. People have come over to my house, only to question why we still have it out. The reason is unknown, but it is going to be put away today. To convey my thoughts about it, I have composed a short rhyming thing about it.
Although many months have past,
My Christmas tree still stands tall and vast.
Not wanting to go back in its box,
it somehow stayed out sly as a fox.
The holiday season has been over for a while,
I hope the tree didn't scratch up my floor tiles.
Now I must go, as there is much to do,
cleaning up the tree is not that easy, unlike 2+2.
I hope you liked it, and I seriously need to start cleaning up. Does your family wait a long time to clean up Christmas stuff or do they do it right away?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Communication
Some things can even communicate non-verbally with, such as images and films with a deep meaning. Although no words are spoken, many things can be taken out of this video, and it communicates a message to you. Even without words.
Link if you cannot see is here: "These Four Walls"
In the video it symbolizes communication as well because, it starts to travel all over, and communicate with the outside world, and the possibilities are endless. Communication has existed for years, and has changed a lot. Its interesting how. Tell me about your ideas about Communications in the comment section below.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
PREZI!
For those who don't know what Prezi is, it is an amazing web 2.0 tool that you can use to make presentations with. Unlike a regular boring slide show, Prezi is a whole different presentation all together. Its like a flow chart kinda presentation and you can zoom, twist and turn words and ideas. It really maximizes the whole point of a presentation. Main ideas, then details about it. You can insert images and YouTube Videos as well, and even change the theme of the whole presentation. One main thing is that there is NO SLIDES. It is all one big thing, its really amazing, so amazing that I can barely describe it. I recently used it for many presentations in school, and you should too if you don't already do. It puts a new spin on presentations!
Prezi
The Life Of Richard Trevithick
This is a biography of an inventor during the Industrial Revolution I had to write for History. I found it interesting and you may like it too. Enjoy~
Richard Trevithick, you may know him as the father of the steam locomotive, and the high-pressure steam engine. However, did you ever come to think of how or why he was recognized for these things? Let’s start from the beginning of this British inventor’s life, and learn of his story.
Richard Trevithick (1771-1833), was a British inventor and engineer. He contributed to the development of the steam locomotive. Trevithick was born on April 13, 1771, in England in the county of Cornwall, a tin-mining region known as lllogan. Richard spent much of his youth at Illogan and attended the village school. The schoolmaster described him as “disobedient, slow and obstinate.” His father, who was a mine manager, considered him a loafer, and throughout his career Trevithick remained scarcely literate. However, he displayed an extraordinary talent in engineering. Because of his intuitive ability to solve problems that perplexed educated engineers, he obtained his first job as engineer to several Cornish ore mines in 1790 at the age of 19. He was also very interested in the steam engines that pumped water from the mines.
Because Cornwall has no coalfields, high import costs obliged the ore-mine operators to exercise rigid economy in the consumption of fuel for pumping and hoisting. Cornish engineers, therefore, found it imperative to improve the efficiency of the steam engine. The massive engine then in use was the low-pressure type invented by James Watt. Inventive but cautious, Watt thought that “strong steam” was too dangerous to harness; Trevithick thought differently. He soon realized that, by using high-pressure steam and allowing it to expand within the cylinder, a much smaller and lighter engine could be built without any less power than in the low-pressure type.
As technology during that time advanced so did Trevithick. Based on Watt’s low pressure steam engine, Trevithick though and built his own engine, that was better and had more power. In 1797 Richard Trevithick constructed high-pressure working models of both stationary and locomotive steam engines that were so successful that he built a full-scale, high-pressure engine for hoisting ore. In all, he built 30 such engines; they were so compact that they could be transported in an ordinary farm wagon to the Cornish mines, where they were known as “puffer whims” because they vented their steam into the atmosphere. By the early 1800's, he had developed a new engine that was soon used in most of the local mines. This high-pressure engine was the model for most, later steam engines. Trevithick's steam engine could generate significant power because of its design. The steam exhausted from the boiler to drive the piston was directed up the chimney, creating a powerful draft in the firebox. The result was more pressure—and more speed. But Trevithick's locomotive was simply too heavy. It only made three successful trips because every time, the seven-ton engine broke through the cast iron rails.
In 1801, Trevithick designed and built a steam-powered carriage that ran on the road, known as the puffing devil. In 1804, he built the first steam locomotive to run on rails. It pulled a load of iron along a railway for horse-drawn cars. In 1808, he exhibited a large locomotive in London. None of his locomotives were financially successful, because they were too heavy for the roads and railways of his time. But Trevithick did prove that steam-powered locomotives could be built. By 1804 Trevithick had produced his first railroad locomotive, able to haul 10 metric tons and 70 people for 15 km/9.5 mi on rails used by horse-trains at the Penydarren Mines, near Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales. A few years later he hired some land near Euston, London, where he set up his money-making novelty ride. He also applied his inventive genius to many other machines, including steamboats, river dredgers, and threshing machines. But he will always be best remembered for his steam locomotives.
Impetuous, reckless and eternally hopeful, Trevithick was always so bursting with new ideas that he failed to carry projects patiently through and turned eagerly away to fresh challenges.
In 1816 he sailed for Peru, to install his engines in the silver mines, but the war of independence broke out and South American patriots began destroying his machines. After years of ups and downs, in 1826 he went to Costa Rica, where he proposed to build a railway from the Atlantic across to the Pacific. He was broke and close to starving when he was rescued by Robert Stephenson, who paid for his voyage home to Falmouth. There is no question that Trevithick was a gifted engineer and inventor. He was a failure as an entrepreneur, however. He died penniless in Dartford on April 22, 1833.But because of all his contributions to the steam engine and locomotive, it paved the way to our future today. Without him many things would not exist including our railroad systems. And to the Cornish, he is somewhat of a hero to them and to us he was a great inventor in history.
Richard Trevithick (1771-1833), was a British inventor and engineer. He contributed to the development of the steam locomotive. Trevithick was born on April 13, 1771, in England in the county of Cornwall, a tin-mining region known as lllogan. Richard spent much of his youth at Illogan and attended the village school. The schoolmaster described him as “disobedient, slow and obstinate.” His father, who was a mine manager, considered him a loafer, and throughout his career Trevithick remained scarcely literate. However, he displayed an extraordinary talent in engineering. Because of his intuitive ability to solve problems that perplexed educated engineers, he obtained his first job as engineer to several Cornish ore mines in 1790 at the age of 19. He was also very interested in the steam engines that pumped water from the mines.
Because Cornwall has no coalfields, high import costs obliged the ore-mine operators to exercise rigid economy in the consumption of fuel for pumping and hoisting. Cornish engineers, therefore, found it imperative to improve the efficiency of the steam engine. The massive engine then in use was the low-pressure type invented by James Watt. Inventive but cautious, Watt thought that “strong steam” was too dangerous to harness; Trevithick thought differently. He soon realized that, by using high-pressure steam and allowing it to expand within the cylinder, a much smaller and lighter engine could be built without any less power than in the low-pressure type.
As technology during that time advanced so did Trevithick. Based on Watt’s low pressure steam engine, Trevithick though and built his own engine, that was better and had more power. In 1797 Richard Trevithick constructed high-pressure working models of both stationary and locomotive steam engines that were so successful that he built a full-scale, high-pressure engine for hoisting ore. In all, he built 30 such engines; they were so compact that they could be transported in an ordinary farm wagon to the Cornish mines, where they were known as “puffer whims” because they vented their steam into the atmosphere. By the early 1800's, he had developed a new engine that was soon used in most of the local mines. This high-pressure engine was the model for most, later steam engines. Trevithick's steam engine could generate significant power because of its design. The steam exhausted from the boiler to drive the piston was directed up the chimney, creating a powerful draft in the firebox. The result was more pressure—and more speed. But Trevithick's locomotive was simply too heavy. It only made three successful trips because every time, the seven-ton engine broke through the cast iron rails.
In 1801, Trevithick designed and built a steam-powered carriage that ran on the road, known as the puffing devil. In 1804, he built the first steam locomotive to run on rails. It pulled a load of iron along a railway for horse-drawn cars. In 1808, he exhibited a large locomotive in London. None of his locomotives were financially successful, because they were too heavy for the roads and railways of his time. But Trevithick did prove that steam-powered locomotives could be built. By 1804 Trevithick had produced his first railroad locomotive, able to haul 10 metric tons and 70 people for 15 km/9.5 mi on rails used by horse-trains at the Penydarren Mines, near Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales. A few years later he hired some land near Euston, London, where he set up his money-making novelty ride. He also applied his inventive genius to many other machines, including steamboats, river dredgers, and threshing machines. But he will always be best remembered for his steam locomotives.
Impetuous, reckless and eternally hopeful, Trevithick was always so bursting with new ideas that he failed to carry projects patiently through and turned eagerly away to fresh challenges.
In 1816 he sailed for Peru, to install his engines in the silver mines, but the war of independence broke out and South American patriots began destroying his machines. After years of ups and downs, in 1826 he went to Costa Rica, where he proposed to build a railway from the Atlantic across to the Pacific. He was broke and close to starving when he was rescued by Robert Stephenson, who paid for his voyage home to Falmouth. There is no question that Trevithick was a gifted engineer and inventor. He was a failure as an entrepreneur, however. He died penniless in Dartford on April 22, 1833.But because of all his contributions to the steam engine and locomotive, it paved the way to our future today. Without him many things would not exist including our railroad systems. And to the Cornish, he is somewhat of a hero to them and to us he was a great inventor in history.
Dream On!
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”
-T. E. Lawrence
This quote by T.E Lawrence really tells a lot about people’s perceptions of dreams. Many people dream of many things but never really act to make them come true, they just wake in the day realizing it never happened. This quote defines much of my personal philosophy in life and means to me that, you must act upon your dreams and make them possible, not just imagine them. No one in the world would have ever really succeeded in life without doing so. If you just dreamt of building a large company and being a big success, you will just wake to find that in reality nothing happened. You must act, and dream with eyes wide open, making your dreams possible!
A text that echos the meaning of this quote much to me would be no other than the novel known as “The Great Gatsby” (About “The Great Gatsby” Click Here). The plot revolves around a man known as Jay Gatsby, and his unending desire to fulfill his dream. He would be the prime example of a dreamer of the day, acting upon his dreams to make them possible. Ever since he was a boy, he had a dream of become someone of worth and wealth. At the time he did, he had nothing and things seemed hopeless, that it could only be a dream. Nevertheless he acted to make his dreams possible and his desire to reach them fueled his ambition and things became all nearly possible for him. He became wealthy, living the American Dream, but not because he just imagined about it. He worked to achieve it, taking his dreams into action. Men like Gatsby lead our nation to what it is like today, filled with many dreamers of the day.
In history many people have had many dreams, and pushed to make them exist. One significant event would be the African American Civil Rights Movement. The man who lead the movement, truly lived by this quote. Martin Luther King Jr., he had a dream and took actions to make them come true. He struggled against black and white segregation, and unfair treatment during his time, but he had a dream. A dream that all men would be equal and live together, and he didn’t just dream of this in his sleep. He envisioned it during the day, taking actual actions to make his dream possible. Some would be petitions, speeches, and movements encouraging others to take actions to their dreams as well. Now their dreams have become the reality, all through actions that made dreams possible.
In my life, this quote follows all my dreams. Nearly all I do is taking my dreams into action; taking me one step closer, until I reach them. During my 8th grade graduation speech, I spoke to my fellow classmates, using this quote to help project their futures and dreams. I believe that you must not just dream of what you want to be or do in life, but act to make it come true. At that point in time, everyone was taking the next step in their lives a moving onto high school, which can critically effect their futures. You must dream, dream with open eyes to turn those dreams into reality. So I tell you like I did my classmates, dream my friends, dream with eyes wide open, for only you can make them come true!
Friday, January 21, 2011
YouTube- Must See Channels- Wong Fu Productions!
On YouTube as you may know, there are vast amounts of people making many videos to share with the world. One group of people I would like to let you know about is Wong Fu Productions. These guys make amazing short films and other videos, that are simply just amazing. Starting back in years before these guys were friends that just started to make videos, and now they are a company, filming for others and ect. Many of their videos will astound you and have much meaning and I truly enjoy watching them. I after each one, I cannot wait for the next, and I check up on their channel on a regular basis! I say that you must check them out sometime and here is the link. Wong Fu Productions. Also they have recently made a new video today, called "These Four Walls". IT IS A MUST WATCH!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (#1)- Good Reads Book Review #4
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone By J.K Rowling
My Rating 5 out of 5 Stars
Have you ever stopped to think about a world much different than ours? A world full of mystery, magic and wonders beyond belief. Harry Potter had never even dreamt of such a world existing, until he discovered he was a part of it. “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” is the first of seven book series that you should read within your lifetime. It is a must-read especially if you enjoy reading fantasy and fiction. This book is very straight-forward, but still incorporates some mystery, and is packed full of action, along with some humor as well. What I like about it is that is not like any other fantasy you heard of. It’s purely original and almost everybody has at least heard of it. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is the beginning of a compelling tale that can and should be read by all ages.
To begin with Harry Potter was orphaned as a baby and was sent to live with his odious aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley along with and their fat son, Dudley. While Dudley Dursley has two bedrooms, one just for his surplus toys; Harry is forced to sleep in a crawl space under the stairs. Life just was miserable for him and he was treated as if he was a freak. However, Harry is destined for greatness, and he lived 11 years of his life without a hint of what he truly is. Until one day he mysteriously receives a notice in the mail announcing that he has been chosen to attend Hogwarts, the nation's elite school for training wizards and witches. It is like the Harvard of sorcery. Before he is done, Harry Potter will meet a dragon, make many new friends and do battle with a three-headed dog. He will also learn how to fly a broom and how to use a cloak that makes him invisible. Although all the hocus-pocus in the story is delightful, the magic in the book is not the real magic of the book. Similar to Roald Dahl, J. K. Rowling has a gift for keeping the emotions, fears and triumphs of her characters on a human scale, even while the supernatural is popping out all over.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." (Rowling, J.K, pg. 221, 1997)
Harry had never really had friends before in his life and was always constantly bullied by his cousin Dudley and his friends. Even at school he was treated just as he was at home. But at Hogwarts, he made many new friends and learned many lessons along with it. This quote signifies one of the biggest ones he learned. As he was attacked by enemies and got in constant trouble in Hogwarts,but he also had to stand up to his friends. At one time he was virtually famous and everybody acknowledged and envied him. Then he made some mistakes that costed him the respect of other people. Everybody for some time hated him and even his friends. It was hard he felt like he did before, and he had to stand up to everyone, even his friends. Standing up to your enemy takes much courage already, but standing up to those you have befriended, takes a lot. If Harry had not done this, it would have altered his experience in Hogwarts throughout the book.
"It was a dream...I dreamed a giant called Hagrid came to tell me I was going to a school for wizards. When I open my eyes I'll be at home in my cupboard." (Rowling, J.K., pg. 49, 1997)
This quote signifies Harry's reaction to who he truly is destined to be. It was the beginning of a turning point in his life and in the story as well. Harry had lived his whole life oblivious to the magic world and oblivious to the fact that he was a part of it. Things have always suddenly happened that got him out of trouble, and it all seemed like magic (Which it actually was). When all this occurred; it was such a shock to Harry that he thought it could only be a dream. When the next day he opened his eyes to see he was not in his tiny cupboard, he was purely astounded it wasn’t a dream at all, though it seemed just like one. He then saw things so foreign it was beyond his belief and began his life in the magical world. Things in life don’t always seem the way they are, and anything is possible. I always thought they things way are, is the way it is forever, but I realized that things change, and at times it can be rapidly. Harry’s story to me exemplifies, that anything could and can happen. I don’t think I am going to find out I am a wizard anytime soon, but nothing is impossible.
I would rate this book a complete 5 out of 5. This first book out of the Harry Potter series is addicting, making you want to read on and on. It is very straightforward, with vivid details of the character and his world. Also it is packed with action and excitement, along with some humor as well. It is like no other fantasy tale I have ever read, and is a fantasy of its own. J.K Rowling’s ability to come up with such a tale astounded me, along with the way she writes it. It is witty, charming and fully satisfying to its readers, and it contains as much and if not more fantasy than any other novel of its kind. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages who would like to just sit down and enjoy a nice satisfying fantasy novel. The next time you stop by the library or the book store, make sure you pick this book up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you will like it and this should be a must read book on your list. There is a world full of magic, mysteries and wonders awaiting you when you read “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone”.
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