Celebrity
Caleb Carr, Military Historian And Author Of Bestselling Novel ‘The Alienist,’ Dies At 68
NEW YORK — Caleb Carr, the damaged and bright son of Beat founder Lucien Carr, who overcame a traumatic childhood to become a successful novelist, excellent military historian, and late-life memoirist of his faithful cat, Masha, died at the age of 68.
Carr died of cancer on Thursday, according to a notice from his publisher, Little, Brown and Company.
“Caleb lived his writing life valiantly, with works of politics, history, and sociology, but most astonishingly for this historian, with wildly entertaining fiction,” Carr’s editor, Joshua Kendall, said.
Caleb Carr, a native of Manhattan, was born into literary and cultural history. Lucien Carr and Columbia University classmates Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg helped start the Beat movement, a pioneering and influential force in the post-World War II era for improvisation and nonconformity – both on and off the page. Kerouac, Ginsberg, and other Beats like William Burroughs and Herbert Huncke were regular guests to the Carr apartment, where Caleb Carr remembers gatherings that were stimulating, perplexing, and, at times, terrifying.
“Kerouac was a really pleasant guy. In 1997, Carr told Salon that Allen Ginsberg may be a very charming guy. “But they weren’t children people.”
Lucien Carr would prove his son’s worst fear. The elder Carr was imprisoned in the 1940s for manslaughter in connection with the murder of his former friend David Kammerer, who clashed with him and was later discovered in the Hudson River. Caleb Carr, born more than a decade later to Lucien Carr and Francesca von Hartz, thought he might become the next victim. With a “gleeful” mood, his father would hit Caleb on the back of the head and routinely knock him down flights of stairs, blaming him for the falls.
Caleb Carr regarded his parents as “the mostly drunken architects” of his household, and they split when he was young. After rejecting Kerouac’s proposal, his mother married writer John Speicher, father of three daughters. Carr and his two brothers called their new, blended family “The Dark Brady Bunch.”
Caleb Carr | AP news Image
Caleb Carr, Military Historian And Author Of Bestselling Novel ‘The Alienist,’ Dies At 68
Caleb Carr’s suffering taught him to hate violence, fear insanity, and investigate the causes of cruelty. In his best-known book, “The Alienist,” John Schuyler Moore is a New York Times police reporter in 1890s Manhattan who assists in the investigation of a series of brutal killings of adolescent boys. Carr referred to the story as a “whydunit” as well as a “whodunit,” and incorporated references to the rising 19th-century study of psychology as Moore and his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler investigate not only the killer’s identity but also what motivated him to do his murders.
“The Alienist,” released in 1994, is the type of meticulously researched, old-fashioned page-turner the Beats had resisted. It mixes fictitious characters like Moore with real people ranging from financial magnate J.P. Morgan to restaurant Charlie Delmonico. Carr also features the city’s police commissioner at the time, Theodore Roosevelt, with whom the author shared an unexpected bond.
“Personally and psychologically, I had always found TR one of the most compelling figures in U.S. history,” Carr told Strand Magazine.
“Later, I recognized that some of this was due to the fact that, as a young man plagued by physical problems and the concerns they induce, his father, a truly sympathetic and caring guy, helped him through his darkest days. This is frequently the secret to outstanding guys with noble hearts: an openly caring father. Having had the opposite — a father who was the primary source of my early worries and maladies — I was lured to what was, for me, an exotic environment.”
“The Alienist” sold millions of copies, inspired the bestseller sequel “Angel of Darkness,” and was made into a TNT miniseries starring Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, and Dakota Fanning. Carr’s success as a novelist overshadowed, if not trivialized, his experience as a military historian. He taught military history at Bard College, was a contributing editor for the Quarterly Journal of Military History, and had a close relationship with the academic James Chace, with whom he co-authored “America Invulnerable: The Quest for Absolute Security from 1812 to Star Wars.”
Caleb Carr | Bloomberg Image
Caleb Carr, Military Historian And Author Of Bestselling Novel ‘The Alienist,’ Dies At 68
Carr had been writing on prospective terrorism against the United States for years before publishing a book-length analysis a few months after the attacks on September 11, 2001. In “The Lessons of Terror,” he argued that military attacks against civilian populations invariably fail, drawing on lessons from ancient Rome. “The Lessons of Terror” did well, but some commentators believed he was not up to the task.
New York Times writer Michiko Kakutani commented that Carr “has little credibility as a military historian or political analyst,” and urged he stick to thrillers, while Salon’s Laura Miller described some of his claims as “slippery and elusive as a handful of live minnows.” Enraged, Carr responded with an all-caps letter to Salon’s editor, suggesting that Miller and Kakutani abandon military history instead of “chattering about bad women’s fiction.”
“Several reviews have made claims concerning my credibility that are, quite simply, libelous, and will be dealt with soon,” he later stated on Amazon.com, where he awarded his book a 5-star rating.
Carr’s other works were the Sherlock Holmes story “The Italian Secretary,” the historical study “The Devil Soldier,” and a 2024 memoir that served as his artistic goodbye, “My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-Wild Rescue Cat Who Saved Me.”
As a child, Carr was so appalled by human behavior that he began to empathize with cats – and became persuaded he was once one. Carr spent much of his adult life alone, or with no other people, living in a big stone house in upstate New York, made possible by profits from “The Alienist” and other writings, on a 1,400-acre property in the foothills of Misery Mountain.
In “My Beloved Monster,” he described his experience as “abuse, mistrust, and then the search for just one creature on Earth” upon whom he could rely. In 2005, his search led him to the Rutland County Humane Society in Vermont, where he observed a gold and white kitten with large, deep amber eyes, a Siberian who mewed “conversationally” as Carr approached her cage
Caleb Carr | NY Times Image
Caleb Carr, Military Historian And Author Of Bestselling Novel ‘The Alienist,’ Dies At 68
“I answered her with, with both sounds and words, and more importantly held my hand up so that we could get my scent, pleased when she inspected the hand with her nose and found it satisfactory,” he wrote in his letter. “Then I slowly closed and reopened my eyes many times, mimicking the’slow blink’ that cats interpret as a gesture of friendship. She seems interested, taking the time to affirm with a similar blink. Finally, she mirrored my hand movement by raising her gigantic paws to mine, as if we had known each other for a long time: an intimate gesture.”
Carr and Masha would live together for the next 17 years, attuned to each other’s moods and musical tastes until Masha died. “My Beloved Monster” was a type of dual elegy. As Masha’s health deteriorated, Carr developed neuropathy and pancreatitis, which he attributed to his childhood trauma. Watching Masha die while lying in a makeshift coffin was like bidding goodbye to his “other self.”
“Some people believe that mourning is a healing process; I have never found this to be true. It leaves scars, and scars do not heal. I’ve never had someone who has been a part of my everyday reality for as long as Masha; how can it heal?” Carr wrote.
“It appears that since my arrival on this planet, I have been as tough for my fellow humans as they have been for me, going beyond the easy areas of social convention and amusement. But Masha asks no such queries. I was enough; not just enough, but enough to justify defending.”
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
2024| Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Washington – Pras, On Friday, a court denied a request for a fresh trial in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy lawsuit against Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly determined that his defensedefense attorney’s employment of a generative AI software during closing arguments and other errors made throughout the Washington, D.C. trial did not constitute a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel was found guilty of ten counts after a jury heard testimony from witnesses, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On the most serious charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He is free until sentencing, which has yet to be decided.
The Grammy-winning rapper was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then attempting to deter a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China during the Trump administration.
The defense said Michel received lousy advice as he attempted to support himself while recreating himself in politics.
His defense attorney, David Kenner, who has previously represented rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury evidence to reporters.
Michel hired a new lawyer, who claimed Kenner had made several errors, including deploying an “experimental” generative AI software that botched closing arguments by misattributing a lyric from his client’s influential 1990s group.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel, however, failed to prove that Kenner’s handling of the case influenced the jury, according to Judge Kollar-Kotelly.
She accepted that some of Michel’s faults were valid, but they did not neutralise the prosecution’s extensive evidence against him or render the nearly month-long trial unfair.
Michel’s representative had no immediate comment on the ruling.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Julian Ortega, a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” has died, according to the country’s actor and actress union. He was 41.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the union said in a statement Monday.
The sun
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Ortega, the son of Spanish actress Gloria Muñoz, was born in Madrid in 1983. According to the organization, he attended acting school in the Spanish capital.
He began his career in Spanish-language films, including the 2000 drama “El Otro Barrio” (“The Other Side”) and the 2008 horror fantasy “La raíz del mal.”
He appeared in various Spanish television programs before becoming well-known internationally after appearing in six episodes of Netflix’s Elite.
Ortega played a restaurant manager in the murder-mystery-infused high school thriller, which follows privileged pupils at a prestigious school.
His most recent performances were in drama programs like “The Countryside” (formerly called “El Pueblo”) and “4 estrellas.”
“You were a great man; humble, always smiling, generous, and thoughtful…” I have a great colleague. “Thank you for everything,” wrote his “Countryside” co-star Ruth Diaz in an Instagram post.
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
According to the Spanish Theatre in Madrid, Ortega has worked on theatre ventures, including the 2021 play “Ira,” which he created and co-starred in with his mother.
The reason for the death has not been officially confirmed.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Selena Gomez Reacts To Taylor Swift Cameo Rumors in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Selena Gomez has recently put a fun twist on rumors swirling about a potential cameo by Taylor Swift in the fourth season of Only Murders in the Building. In an interview with E! News, Gomez responded to the speculation with her signature humor and charm.
Laughing off the rumors, Gomez quipped, “You’re hilarious. She’s a little busy, you guys.”
Her playful tone continued as she added, “Oh dear, I love that,” while still chuckling. Gomez’s light-hearted response showcased her easy-going nature and her ability to handle fan speculation with grace.
Gomez’s co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, also joined in on the playful banter. Martin, in a comedic twist, said, “Listen, she calls us every day. Here – she’s calling right now. Ahh I’ll take it later.”
‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Martin Short added to the jest, joking, “No, I was talking to Taylor around 3:00 a.m.” Their jokes highlighted the camaraderie and fun atmosphere among the cast.
Beyond the jokes, Martin took a moment to genuinely praise both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their poise.
He commented, “Taylor Swift handles everything perfectly and so does Selena. In the situations I’ve seen—politically, trolls, everything—she just seems to have a wisdom about how to do something quietly, effortlessly.”
The interaction underscores not only the strong bond between the cast members but also their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Gomez and Swift’s friendship, along with their shared ability to navigate public life with elegance, continues to be a topic of interest and admiration among fans and colleagues alike.
-
Business4 weeks ago
Are You A Cash App User? You May Be Eligible For A Piece Of This $15 Million Settlement
-
Celebrity4 weeks ago
Liza Minnelli Is ‘Mad As Hell’ And Writing New Memoir
-
Business4 weeks ago
Susan Wojcicki, Former YouTube CEO And Longtime Google Executive, Has Died At 56
-
News4 weeks ago
Travis Scott Is Arrested At A Paris Hotel After Altercation With A Security Guard, Prosecutors Say
-
Sports4 weeks ago
Lydia Ko Finally Gets Her Olympic Gold. It Puts Her Into The LPGA Hall Of Fame
-
Business4 weeks ago
After A Rash Of Stolen Cars, Hyundai And Kia’s New Anti-Theft Software Is Showing Results