"If This is a Man" - Primo Levi

I first read "If This is a Man" many years ago and it is still the only book about the Holocaust that I've read...and the only one I intend to read. The clarity and the scientist's dispassionate approach to the subject matter brings the true horror of his experiences into perfect focus. This poem is right at the start of the book and, I must confess, that I hadn't read it until today.

You who live safe
In your warm houses,
You who find warm food
And friendly faces when you return home.
Consider if this is a man
Who works in mud,
Who knows no peace,
Who fights for a crust of bread,
Who dies by a yes or a no.
Consider if this is a woman
Without hair, without name,
Without the strength to remember,
Empty are her eyes, cold her womb,
Like a frog in winter.
Never forget that this has happened.
Remember these words.
Engrave them in your hearts,
When at home or in the street,
When lying down, when getting up.
Repeat them to your children.
Or may your houses be destroyed,
May illness strike you down,
May your offspring turn their faces from you.

Primo Levi was a remarkable man and a great writer! I urge any one of you out there to search out his books and see for yourselves!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. Comedian Roy Walker was born today in 1940 in Belfast and hosted which TV game show from 1986 to 1999?
   
   
2. Chemist and writer Primo Levi (right) was born today in 1919 and wrote the best-selling book "If This is a Man" recounting his experiences in which concentration camp?
   
   
3. Astronauts from which spacecraft were the first to use the Lunar Rover on the Moon today in 1971?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Los Angeles; 2. "Million Dollar Baby"; 3. Paul Anka

Fixed Retirement Age to be Scrapped

Oh, great! Just as I'm getting within sight of retirement age, it disappears into the distance! What's the betting that, by the time I can retire, there is no money left for pensions? All of the money has been used up by the generation before us with their index-linked, retire-at-50 deals, take the money now and screw everyone else pensions...not that I'm bitter!!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. In which city did the Summer Olympic Games open today in 1932?
   
   
2. Actress Hilary Swank (right) was born today in 1974 and won an Oscar for her role in which 2004 film?
   
   
3. Which singer was born today in 1941 in Canada and had his first and only UK No 1 single in 1957 with "Diana"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Vincent van Gogh; 2. Wesley Crusher; 3. St Paul's Cathedral

Franklin & Rice: A New Musical Duo

Condoleezza Rice joined Aretha Franklin on stage this week at a charity gig in Philadelphia! Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a classically trained pianist and she accompanied Aretha Franklin on "I Say a Little Prayer" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee"! Amazing what 'hidden' talents some people have!!!

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. Which artist died from a self inflicted gunshot wound today in 1890?
   
   
2. Actor Wil Wheaton (right) was born today in 1972 and played which character in "Star Trek: The Next Generation"?
   
   
3. Where in London did Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer marry today in 1981?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Maximilien Robespierre; 2. Peru; 3. China

Late Again!!

I'm Sooooo late today - here are the questions!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Which French revolutionary leader was executed today in 1794?
   
   
2. Alberto Fujimori (right) was born today in 1938 and was President of which South American country from 1990 to 2000?
   
   
3. In which country is Tangshan that was devastated by a massive earthquake today in 1976?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. El Alamein; 2. "Ode to Billie Joe"; 3. Bob Hope

Happy 4th Birthday BlogDumps

It's been a few weeks since I've contributed to the 'Top Sites Tuesday' meme at BlogDumps...mainly because I've been busy (I've now got a [temporary] job), but also because I find it hard to think of anything to say when I sit down at the keyboard! My experience is that the regulars are good people and deserve all the success that the website brings! I hope it goes from strength to strength over the coming years! So, if you want to see what its all about and to visit the BlogDumps 4th Birthday Party, please push my button below!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. The first battle for which Egyptian town ended today in 1942?
   
   
2. Singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry (right) was born today in 1947 and had a US number one hit in 1967 with which song?
   
   
3. Which English born comedian died today in 2003, aged 100?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Aldous Huxley; 2. Australia; 3. Queen


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Fred Dibnah's Steam Engine Sold

The steam engine that was lovingly restored over 25 years by Fred Dibnah and that was used to pull his coffin to his 2004 funeral has been sold for £240,000! He intended to collect his MBE by driving it up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, but was thwarted by officials who thought it was too heavy for the road surface!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1894 and wrote the novel "Brave New World"?
   
   
2. John Howard (right) was born today in 1936 and was Prime Minister of which country from 1996 to 2007?
   
   
3. Roger Taylor, who was born today in 1949 in Norfolk, is the drummer with which band?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. David Bowie; 2. Los Angeles; 3. Louis Blériot

Ten Things We Didn't Know Last Week

I'm surprised that I've not come across this feature before, but I hope you find it interesting and amusing!!

Your Sunday questions are:-

1. Somalian model and actress Iman was born today in 1955 and is married to which singer and actor?
   
   
2. Actor Matt LeBlanc (right) was born today in 1967 and played the lead character in the TV series "Joey" that was set in which city?
   
   
3. Who became the first person to fly across the English Channel today in 1909?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Window Tax; 2. Diana Prince; 3. Pittsburgh Pirates & San Francisco Giants

Strictly Come Dancing Departures

The next series of "Strictly Come Dancing" will see four new dancers partner (three men and one woman) and a reduced number of celebrities (14, down from 16) as Brian Fortuna, Matthew Cutler, Ian Waite and Lilia Kopylova leave the show. Change is good and hopefully the new girls and boys will be just as entertaining when the new series starts in September!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. Which controversial tax was abolished today in 1851 and replaced with House Duty?
   
   
2. What was the name of Wonder Woman's (right) alter-ego as played by Lynda Carter who was born today in 1951?
   
   
3. For which two MLB teams did Barry Bonds, who was born today in 1964, play?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Raymond Chandler; 2. "David Copperfield"; 3. Monica Lewinsky

New 'Henge' Discovered near Stonehenge

Archaeologists from the University of Birmingham have discovered a new 'henge' only 900 metres from Stonehenge. It is theorised that the new 'henge' was made of timber. I can't add much to this story, but it is fascinating how much history is still to be dug up!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1888 and created the private detective Philip Marlowe?
   
   
2. Actor Daniel Radcliffe (right) was born today in 1989 and made his acting debut in the 1995 BBC production of which Dickens novel?
   
   
3. Which infamous White House intern was born today in 1973?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jerusalem; 2. "Lethal Weapon"; 3. John Dillinger

How Depressing!!

On my regular trawl for interesting and quirky news stories I decided to look at the Birmingham page on the BBC website and was struck by the depressing and violent nature of the top stories - a shop stabbing in Yardley, two arrests following fatal shooting in Staffordshire and two charged over fatal stabbing in Erdington were the top three stories! Followed by Birmingham City Council failing to protect children, second body found after blaze in Moseley and taxi driver attacked and robbed in Frankley! It just goes to show how 'close to the edge' our cities are! And its not just 'other people'; a few weeks ago the assistant manager at one of the pubs I present a quiz at was severely beaten and robbed at the pub and a few days later there was a stabbing at another of the pubs I present a quiz at - fortunately I wasn't there on either occasion, but one day...who knows?

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. In which city was the King David Hotel that was blown up today in 1946 killing 91 people?
   
   
2. Actor Danny Glover (right) was born today in 1946 and played Detective Roger Murtaugh in which series of films?
   
   
3. Which 'most wanted' criminal was shot and killed outside a Chicago cinema today in 1934?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Prescott; 2. 300 mph; 3. Duke of Edinburgh

New Russian Spaceport

The Russian government has announced that it is to build a new spaceport in Eastern Russia close to the Chinese border. The Vostochny Cosmodrome will be smaller than the Soviet built Baikonur Cosmodrome which is currently leased from the Kazakhstan government. With the USA terminating the Shuttle programme, the only way to get to the International Space Station will be via Soyuz rockets. Perhaps in the future, when space exploration is much more profitable, the Americans may rue the day they let other countries overtake them!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Who came second in the Labour Party leadership election today in 1994?
   
   
2. Sir Malcolm Campbell (right) was born today in 1885 and was the first person to drive a car over which speed (mph)?
   
   
3. Who took his seat in the House of Lords today in 1948, but has never spoken there?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sir Edmund Hillary; 2. Genetics; 3. Falun Gong

Sidney the Snail Clinches World Title!

With a top speed of 0.003mph (0.005kph) over a 13-inch (31cm) course in Norfolk, Sidney the Snail raced to achieve the accolade of a world title. He successfully fought off all-comers in the go-slow championship at Congham in Norfolk. He crossed the finishing line in a leisurely 3 minutes 41 seconds to claim the World Snail Racing Championship title. About 200 competitors gathered for the annual event held at the village fête!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. Which famous mountaineer was born in New Zealand today in 1919?
   
   
2. Gregor Mendel (right) was born today in 1822 and gained posthumous fame as the figurehead of which new science?
   
   
3. Which religious/philosophical movement was banned in China today in 2000?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Frank Sinatra; 2. Boxing ; 3. Mary Rose

Louis Oosthuizen - Open Golf Champion 2010

At the start of the Open Championship at St Andrews, not many people had heard of Louis Oosthuizen, but he confounded the experts and the world's best golfers to win the Claret Jug by seven strokes from Lee Westwood! Now he is on top of the golfing world and still can't believe what has happened to him! My powers of prediction, though, are undimmed - on this blog I tipped Tiger Woods to win and then on Thursday (after the quiz at the Colebrook) I said that I couldn't see anyone getting past Rory McIlroy (who then went on to score 80 in his second round)!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Which 50 year old singer married 21 year old actress Mia Farrow today in 1966?
   
   
   
2. At which sport has Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko (right), born today in 1971, been a world champion?
   
   
3. Which English battleship keeled over and sank in the Solent today in 1545 with the loss of over 300 lives?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nelson Mandela; 2. Montserrat ; 3. Bert Kwouk

Champagne Found on Seabed

Divers in the Baltic Sea have discovered 30 bottles of champagne believed to be from before the French Revolution! The divers opened one bottle and found the wine to be drinkable and in remarkably good condition. The cold, dark conditions have helped preserve the wine which could be worth as much as £45,000 a bottle if shown to be from the 18th century (currently the oldest champagne is from 1825)!

Your Sunday questions are:-

1. Which Nobel Peace Prize winner was born today in 1918 and married his third wife today in 1998?
   
   
   
2. On which island is the Soufrière Hills volcano (below) that erupted today in 1995?
   
3. Who was born today in 1930 in Manchester and played Cato in the "Pink Panther" films starring Peter Sellers?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. David Hasselhoff; 2. "Blue Peter" ; 3. Lutine Bell

Solar Plane Flies for 7 Days Non-Stop

The UK-built Zephyr solar-powered plane has smashed the endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The craft took off from the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona at 1440 BST (0640 local time) last Friday and is still in the air! The plan is to keep it in the air for another week. Zephyr is essentially the world's first 'eternal' aircraft and will be very useful for surveillance (but also a lot easier to shoot down than a geostationary satellite!)!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1952 and played Mitch Buchannon in the TV series "Baywatch"?
   
   
2. Konnie Huq (right) was born today in 1975 and was the longest serving female presenter on which children's TV programme?
   
   
3. Which famous bell was salvaged from a shipwreck today in 1858?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Roald Amundsen; 2.USA (Chicago) ; 3. France and Italy

Robbie Williams Rejoins Take That!

In one of the year's best kept secrets (not!) it has been revealed that Robbie Williams is to rejoin Take That for their next album only 15 years since their less than amicable split! I'm not particularly a fan of Take That, but I must be getting old because I would never have thought it was FIFTEEN years ago that Robbie Williams left the group - how time flies when you're getting decrepit!!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1872 and led the first expedition to reach the South Pole?
   
   
2. In which country was "Lord of the Dance" choreographer Michael Flatley (right) born today in 1958?
   
   
3. The Mont Blanc Tunnel was inaugurated today in 1965 and links which two countries?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Argentina; 2."The Last King of Scotland" ; 3. Jerusalem

The Open Golf Championship

Today the Open Championship of golf begins at St Andrews on the Old Course. Normally, Tiger Woods, who has won the last two held here, would be a runaway favourite, but not this time. There are plenty who could win the Claret Jug, but I have a sneaky feeling Tiger might just pull it out of the bag!

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. Retired footballer Mario Kempes was born today in 1954 and was the the leading scorer at the 1978 FIFA World Cup playing for which country?
   
   
2. Forest Whitaker (right) was born today in 1961 and won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Idi Amin in which 2006 film?
   
   
3. Which city was captured by the Crusaders today in 1099?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Matterhorn; 2. Robert Webb ; 3. Brigitte Bardot

Psychic Octopus Paul to Retire

One of the stars of the 2010 World Cup was Paul the psychic octopus who managed a remarkable run of correct match predictions! He's going back to his old job of making children laugh at the Sea Life Aquarium at Oberhausen in Western Germany!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Which Alpine mountain was first climbed today in 1865 by Edward Whymper?
   
   
2. Comedian David Mitchell (right) was born today in 1974 and co stars in the TV comedy "Peep Show" with which other comedian?
   
   
3. Which French actress married for the third time today in 1966?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Philadelphia; 2. Professor Charles Xavier ; 3. Roger McGuinn

Royal Society Launches Global Population Study

In 1930 the global human population was 2 billion, now it is 6.8 billion and in another 40 years it is expected to be 9 billion! The Royal Society is launching a study into how this population growth will affect social and economic development in the coming years. Personally I don't see how this level of human population can be sustained. As our population grows other species will be pushed to extinction, we will eventually run out of space to grow our food, the natural resources we depend on will dwindle to nothing and all our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions will be in vain (aiming for at least a 10% reduction in emissions with a 34% increase in population)! Still, by the time it gets truly critical, I won't be around any more!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. In which city was the US part of Live Aid held today in 1985?
   
   
2. Patrick Stewart (right) was born today in 1940 and played what role in the "X-Men" series of films?
   
   
3. Which singer-songwriter and guitarist, born today in 1942, was a co-founder of The Byrds?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Henry VIII; 2. Doris Luke ; 3. Gareth Gates

Spain Win the World Cup

Oh well, it's over now and the best team in the world, Spain, managed to win the FIFA World Cup with a 1 - 0 win over the Netherlands after extra time! It wasn't a great final (but there have been worse!) and the best side won. But they've won their last five games 1 - 0 and scored only eight goals in their seven games in South Africa, the lowest total by any team to win the World Cup! So, whilst it is pretty and effective it isn't entertaining. Anyway, well done Spain!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Who married his sixth wife Catherine Parr today in 1543?
   
   
2. Actress Kathy Staff (right) was born today in 1928 and played which character in the TV series "Crossroads"?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1984 and had his first UK number one single in 2002 with "Unchained Melody"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Skylab; 2. "Heroes" ; 3. Babe Ruth