Born November 10; 1818; John Todd grew up in the rural area surrounding Harrisburg; Pennsylvania. The most formative experience of his life was attending college in Oberlin; Ohio. A one-of-a-kind educational institution; Oberlin College was fully integrated--allowing men and women; black and white; to attend the same classes--at a time when the entire country was in a racial upheaval. As a result; Oberlin turned out a group of men and women almost devoid of racial prejudice. It was from this pool of graduates that many of the founders of Tabor; Iowa; were drawn. They were determined to found an Oberlin-like college in the westernmost territory of the United States; so it was no surprise that this group quickly became active in the Underground Railroad and other abolitionist activities. This biography details the life of the Reverend John Todd and presents the story of the Underground Railroad Station in Tabor. With the life of Todd as a common thread; the book explores how the station began and the noble purposes behind its birth. From the beginning of Todd's career at Oberlin College; the book follows him from an unsatisfying first pastorate to the site of his life's work in Tabor; where he would provide spiritual guidance and leadership; along with friend George Gaston; for the settlement. The work covers the prewar construction of the Tabor Literary Institute; which was beset by financial and administrative difficulties from the beginning. With a singleness of purpose spurred on by Todd and Gaston; the residents of Tabor joined in the abolitionist movement through participation not only in the Underground Railroad but in the Jim Lane Trail and Kansas Free State Movement as well. John Brown was in and out of Tabor on many occasions; bringing escaped slaves with him. Todd's service in the Union Army and jubilation with the Federal victory are also discussed. An appendix contains various letters and documents pertaining to the Todd family; the Underground Railroad and other abolitionist activities.
#3541949 in Books McFarland 2003-05-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.84 x .53 x 6.44l; .68 #File Name: 0786414979216 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not the best....By Donna J. NormingtonI am a big Vivien Leigh fan and was excited to see a new biography of her. However; I was disappointed. There was not a lot of new material presented. I also felt Leigh was drawn rather negatively. It was not a "hit piece;" but it was not terribly sympathetic.Vivien Leigh was not an angel by any means; but much of her behavior could be explained by her mental illness. I thought the writer should have stressed that more.Finally; for the price I paid; I felt the book itself wasn't worth it. The pictures were decent; but not having a separate; glossy-papered photo section detracted from them greatly.As a fan; I recommend Alexander Walker's "Vivien" as the best Vivien Leigh biography I have read.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. MORE OF THE SAMEBy ruddibardotThis book have nothing new to offer the same thing as the others book plus few mistake like he said jean pierre aumont and his wife tina were doing a show his wife name is marisa pavan still alive today and twin sister of pier angeli; tina is his daugther with maria montez many in incorrected thing in this book12 of 27 people found the following review helpful. Vivien Leigh was a talented but tortured BeautyBy Kathleen J.The author;Michelangelo Capua; researched his subject from herbirth in colonial India until her untimely death at 53 years. An unusual beauty even at three years of age.She was the onlychild born to an English father and mother of mixed backround; English and Indian.This was unacceptable when making Gone With The Wind;because the South had objections to an English actress playing Scarlet. However; when they were told Miss Leigh was of French and Irish descent;as was the character; they relented. As long as it was not a Yankee woman; to play the part that made her famous. In her very early years she left India;to be educated in a Convent boarding school.She was only five or six years old.She became the pet of the sisters who taught her who let her keep a kitten;to take to bed.Vivien later stated these were her happiest days.Although; the bi-polar illness is believed to be chemical; the early separation; although she did not mention it;seemed very cruel.She loved her father but did not see him for years. Her mother visited once a year.Strange way to treat an only child that was doted upon. During her teen years she went to finishing schools like all upper class English girls.Her mother began to notice achange in her daughters behavior.Vivien was very restless; and acting inappropiate at the time with men. Acting lessons at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts usedher great energy and she married Leigh Holman and gave birthby age twenty to a daughter.She would not leave the RADA;and her mother raised her child. Vivien was a success in England; and fell in love withanother actor becoming famous.This became the great loveaffair of Sir Laurence Olivier who also was married. Vivien came to America specifically for the most covetedrole in the History of the film industry and she won it.Because of the advent of world war ll;the movie becamea box office success seen by everyone. It had War. Romance;Destruction of a Civilization and its re-bith.Vivien was anovernight success and now she wanted her man;Larry.He became divorced from his English wife and the two werehappy for awhile. Both great actors;but troubled people they stayed in themarriage for twenty years.Vivien suffered a miscarriageand grieved and went into post-partum depression.Her husband had problems with his gender; and was fallingin love with Danny Kaye; the entertainer. Vivian won another oscar for playing Blanche DuBois; butit cost her to drift into unreality. Unable to make "Elephant Walk" in India(one wondersabout the significance if any);she returned to her homecalled Notley Abbey.In later years;Larry and Vivien split.She did return once to India for a pleasant visit.Theythought she was Scarlet.She made more movies and plays andwas friends with the upper class English.She was alwaysin frail health with a form of tuberculosis but sheenjoyed her grandsons;and continued to travel callingherself; a citizen of the world.I think we all will rememberher as Scarlet;in "Gone With the Wind."
