SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR......
GEORGE MICHELSEN FOY --- COMING TO OSTERVILLE LIBRARY 8/26/10
George Michelsen Foy is the author of eleven published novels (under both names) and two nonfiction books. He's been an investigative reporter, writer, and/or editor for BusinessWeek, the International Herald Tribune, the Cape Cod Times, and the Register, and his articles, reviews, and stories have been published by Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, Harper’s, and Men’s Journal, among others. He was educated at the London School of Economics and Bennington College, and teaches creative writing at New York University. He divides his time between Cape Cod, Cambridge, and New York.
BOOK REVIEW
FROM BOOKLIST, March 23, 2010
Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute Silence. Foy, George Michelsen
May 2010. 208 p. Scribner, hardcover, $22.00
Foy’s thinking about quietude began where it never exists: the New York City subway. With an audiometer, he measured the decibels of its deafening cacophony in addition to levels in his apartment, the
street, and the former mansion of Joseph Pulitzer, who hated noise. So acting as empiricist, Foy deployed his gadget everywhere he went for this book, including a space shuttle launch and a Cistercian monastery
in France; but acting as a writer, Foy explored variegated aspects of silence. He studied evolutionary explanations for humans’ acuity of hearing; he queried scientists who research the physics of sound; he
spoke with members of cultural groups that prize silence over conversation; and he sorted through philosophers and authors who valued quiet. As part of his sound project, Foy also moved his family away
from Manhattan’s ambient clamor to quieter yet still audible Massachusetts, where no remission was found from the modern world’s relentless aural assault from televisions, cell phones, and irate drivers. Foy’s is an adventurous and perceptively ruminative investigation of acoustical annoyances.
Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute Silence. Foy, George Michelsen
May 2010. 208 p. Scribner, hardcover, $22.00
Foy’s thinking about quietude began where it never exists: the New York City subway. With an audiometer, he measured the decibels of its deafening cacophony in addition to levels in his apartment, the
street, and the former mansion of Joseph Pulitzer, who hated noise. So acting as empiricist, Foy deployed his gadget everywhere he went for this book, including a space shuttle launch and a Cistercian monastery
in France; but acting as a writer, Foy explored variegated aspects of silence. He studied evolutionary explanations for humans’ acuity of hearing; he queried scientists who research the physics of sound; he
spoke with members of cultural groups that prize silence over conversation; and he sorted through philosophers and authors who valued quiet. As part of his sound project, Foy also moved his family away
from Manhattan’s ambient clamor to quieter yet still audible Massachusetts, where no remission was found from the modern world’s relentless aural assault from televisions, cell phones, and irate drivers. Foy’s is an adventurous and perceptively ruminative investigation of acoustical annoyances.
"STITCHING TALES" ....
.....is a group of crafters, with an interest in knitting, crocheting,
quilting, cross stitch, and other types of needlework.
We have been meeting on alternating Thursday evenings, in the North
Room of the library.
Our members range in age from 13 to 90.
A patient and skilled teacher helped some of us with our
first sock-knitting efforts.
We made bibs and hats for local infants in need.
Our group participated in Osterville's holiday "Festival of Trees",
by creating unique knitted - that's right, KNITTED - ornaments.
We are currently plotting something out of the ordinary.....
Do you know what yarn bombing is?
Next meeting is September 9, 6:00 PM
Bring your own project, your ideas, and your enthusiasm!
Take a look at our blog!