[Tektalkdiscussion] Fw: Accessible World Presents Let’s Read Historical Novels February 2, 2010

[Bob Acosta]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shiela & Bob Wilhite" <wilhites at flash.net>
To: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta at pacbell.net>
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 6:56 AM
Subject: Accessible World Presents Let’s Read Historical Novels February 2, 
2010


News Wire:

Mark your calendar now for Tuesday, February 2, 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM 
Pacific for our next book discussion at Accessible World’s Let’s Read 
Historical Novels.

This month we are reading one of Ann Parsons’ favorite novels, The River God 
by Wilbur Smith.  From Publishers Weekly says of River God, “A bestselling 
writer in England but not as yet well-known here, Smith (Elephant Song) may 
attract a wider audience with this compulsively readable historical novel 
based on the little-known facts behind the Hyksos invasion of Egypt, circa 
1780 B.C. Containing all the standard elements of great adventure--intrigue, 
romance, greed, cruelty and furious action--the yarn is spun by the clever 
eunuch Taita, who reports on events with an irony akin to a 20th-century 
sensibility. Taita is the slave of Egypt's scheming Grand Vizier Lord Intef, 
whose daughter Lostris is in love with Tanus, a young army officer whose 
father's demise was brought about by Intef's greed. Knowing of his 
daughter's love, Intef devises a plan for her to become the bride of Pharaoh 
Mamose. These maneuvers set the stage for the story of two warring
 Nile kingdoms, the arrival of the Hyksos and the ultimate exodus of the 
Egyptian court, now ruled by Queen Lostris. Taita is a curious creation. We 
know that he is clever and wise, but we don't know how he became so learned 
or what his country of origin is. The brilliant slave invented a system for 
calculating the rise and ebb of the Nile, is extremely knowledgeable in the 
ways of healing, improves upon the wheel and trains horses (both of which 
were brought to Egypt by the invading Hyksos). He is also clever enough to 
manipulate the Pharaoh into believing that he is the father of Prince Regent 
Memnon, the offspring of a forbidden tryst between Lostris and Tanus. 
Somehow, this doesn't ring true. At times the prose is curiously flat and 
juvenile (it could be Everyday Life In Ancient Egypt), but the events 
covered in this narrative have enough intrinsic interest to sustain the 
reader through to the rewarding and satisfying conclusion.”

Besides the print edition this novel is available in these accessible 
formats:

· National Library Service, on cassette
· Audible.com

We have books scheduled through June 2010.  You can find them listed at 
http://histnov.blogspot.com.  That is where you can find further details on 
the

Nan Hawthorne, Group Facilitator
Email: hawthorne at nanhawthorne.com

Date: Tuesday, February 2. 2010.

Time: 6:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM MST, 8:00 PM CST, 9:00 PM EST
          and elsewhere in the world Wednesday 2:00 GMT.

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time go to the Le’s Read 
Historical Novels Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs87449e52193e

Or, alternatively,

Select the Let’s Read Historical Novels Room at: www.accessibleworld.org
Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing 
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download 
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to 
the Accessible World rooms.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and 
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, 
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with 
the presenters and others in the virtual audience. To speak to us, hold down 
the control key and let up to listen. If no microphone is available, you may 
text chat with the attendees.

Accessible World uses News Wires, like this one, to inform people of the 
topic and times for the many Discussion Groups on Accessible World. The 
lists are announce only to keep the traffic to a minimum. You can join the 
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www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists

Accessible World Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair
Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
Web:  www.helpinghands4theblind.org

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator
Accessible World
617-487-8795
Email: joannbecker at pcomcast.net

George Buys, CEO.
Talking Communities
Email: buys at talkingcommunities.com

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) 
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the 
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly 
relevant information about new products, services, and training 
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access 
barriers that adversely affect them