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Caleb Carr, Military Historian And Author Of Bestselling Novel ‘The Alienist,’ Dies At 68

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Caleb Carr
Caleb Carr | CNBC

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)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

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Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harassment

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Blake Lively has launched a legal battle against Justin Baldoni

In an 80-page complaint, Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her after she declined his approaches.Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman has denied Lively’s allegations, calling them “false, outrageous.

Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, charging the actor-director of inappropriate behavior and defamation related to their 2024 film, It Ends With Us. What was once thought to be a public relations campaign to promote the picture turned out to be a complaint.

Lively accuses sexual harassment, including unwanted kissing and sexual comments, throughout the filming. She further claims that Baldoni tried to tarnish her reputation after she declined his approaches.

Baldoni and his production firm, Wayfarer Studios, deny any charges regarding Blake Lively’s nude images or accusations.

Lively’s complaint targets not only director Justin Baldoni, but also key officials in his production firm and people accused of spreading false information about her.

This includes the film’s principal producer, Jamey Heath, Wayfarer co-owner Steve Sarowitz, and a number of others. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, angrily disputes Lively’s charges, calling them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” according to Entertainment Weekly.

Baldoni created a toxic workplace

According to Freedman, the actress even neglected to appear on site and made disturbances throughout filming, resulting in the picture’s dismal performance, including “threatening not to show up to set, threatening not to promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release.”

The Gossip Girl star’s complaint claims that Justin Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios “created a toxic workplace, ignored harassment complaints, and failed to protect the cast and crew.”

The dossier also claims that Baldoni recruited a public relations agency to create a revenge campaign before potential allegations were public.

According to the complaint copy received by People, Baldoni included sexually graphic and naked sequences, including those for an underage character, without Blake Lively’s agreement.

This contained a lengthy “virginity loss scene and an orgasm scene” that did not appear in the original work.

Blake Lively Nude

Baldoni allegedly asked intrusive questions regarding Lively’s intimate sexual encounters with her spouse, including questions about Blake Lively nude images, which she considered invasive and refused to address.

According to the lawsuit, while filming, Baldoni improvised physical intimacy with no previous discussion or choreography. This contained kissing sequences and a slow dance sequence.

According to People, one instance detailed in the complaint states that Baldoni “discreetly bit and sucked on Ms. Lively’s lower lip during a scene in which he improvised numerous kisses on each take.” He eventually “insisted” on shooting “over and over again.”
intrusive behaviours

Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath “repeatedly entered Lively’s trailer uninvited while she was undressed or breastfeeding her child.”

Baldoni and Heath put pressure on Lively to imitate full nudity during a birth scene, despite the fact that there was no prior agreement in the screenplay or contract.

Producer Jamey Heath allegedly showed Lively and her assistant a disturbing video of his wife giving birth without their consent.

Degrading remarks

Baldoni allegedly criticized Lively’s age and weight after giving birth, even phoning her trainer to encourage her to lose weight quickly.

He “often” described ladies in the office as “sexy”. To address the hostile work environment, a list of 30 protections was implemented.
Smear Campaign.

Prior to the film’s release, Baldoni allegedly orchestrated a smear campaign against Lively, afraid she might come out about her experiences.

Lively believes that her legal action would “pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics” and protect others who report mistreatment.

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MGK and Megan Fox Love Hate Relationship

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MGK and Megan Fox

MGK and Megan Fox have been in the news for years because of their turbulent relationship. Their four-year romance has been filled with drama, heartache, and passion. The attention is now more focused than ever after their recent breakup caused a stir.

Let’s examine this famous pair’s highs, lows, and potential future developments.

Allegations of a romance between MGK and Megan Fox began in 2020 when they met while filming the movie Midnight in the Switchgrass. What started as a short-lived romance quickly grew more intense, and the two often publicly displayed their love in bold ways.

When they announced their engagement in January 2022, MGK presented them with a unique two-stone ring “symbolic of their souls’ union.”

But this supposedly idyllic partnership wasn’t at all easy. Reports of heated fights, problems with trust, and emotional ups and downs started to surface behind closed doors. The couple’s tremendously passionate yet erratic relationship often made headlines during their time together.

MGK and Megan Fox Breakup

The Thanksgiving weekend in 2024 was a turning point. According to reports, Megan broke up with MGK after finding “upsetting material” on his phone.

This information led to sentiments of betrayal, which have been the main cause of their breakup. According to those close to her, the actress frequently felt disrespected and upset by MGK’s actions.

Megan is expecting the couple’s first child, which heightens the strain. According to sources, co-parenting negotiations are underway as the actress concentrates on her pregnancy. Despite the breakup, Megan is committed to providing a healthy environment for their pregnant child.

Meanwhile, MGK isn’t prepared to give up. Insiders claim that the 34-year-old artist is trying to regain Megan’s affection. He attempts to demonstrate his willingness to change with cryptic social media statements and public apologies.

According to a person close to the couple, MGK is extremely sorry for the problems that caused them to part ways. Megan, though, seems less likely to make amends. According to friends, she is tired of the drama and is concentrating on her own and her kids’ welfare.

Is the separation, however, truly irreversible? Although some say it’s final, others counter that their relationship’s sporadic nature offers room for future reunion.

MGK’s ex-girlfriend

The split’s more strange side story revolves around MGK’s ex-girlfriend Amia Miley’s previous accusations. On a recent podcast, she made startling allegations regarding MGK’s intimate behaviour during their past relationship. Even though it has nothing to do with his recent split from Megan, the article has raised more questions about MGK’s private life.

The musician hasn’t been doing well lately in terms of public opinion. Numerous admirers have characterized his acts as immature and untrustworthy, and they have voiced dismay. On the other hand, Megan has received a ton of support and recognition for her fortitude during this trying period.

Despite the heartache, Megan isn’t dealing with this alone. According to reports, she has received support from her ex-husband, Brian Austin Green, and his fiancée, Sharna Burgess. Sharna, Megan’s soon-to-be stepmother, has been consoling throughout the breakup.

For Megan, this odd bond has turned into a benefit. It demonstrates her capacity to preserve wholesome relationships for the benefit of her children. Megan is devoted to her son’s happiness, having three sons: Noah, Bodhi, and Journey.

It isn’t easy to foresee what will happen to Megan and MGK. Reconciliations have occurred when no one expected them to, and their connection has always been erratic. But according to many close to Megan, this time feels different.

MGK is having a difficult time

Megan appears to be concentrating on her pregnancy and mental health at the moment, and MGK is having a difficult time winning back her trust. One thing is certain: MGK and Megan Fox will continue to be tabloid favourites for the foreseeable future, regardless of whether they can reconcile or go their separate ways.

MGK and Megan Fox’s relationship reminds us that love can occasionally have a price, no matter how intense. Their experience also reminds us of a partnership’s value of open communication, respect, and trust.

It’s simple for spectators and fans to become enmeshed in the drama. Fundamentally, however, this is a very human tale of two individuals attempting to do what is best for themselves and their families while overcoming personal obstacles.

MGK and Megan Fox still haven’t written the next chapter. How this story ends—through co-parenting, reconciliation, or a complete break—will only become clear with time.

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Megan Fox Says She’s Done with Machine Gun Kelly

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Megan Fox says she's is focusing on herself and her family.

Pregnant Megan Fox, despite her pregnancy with Machine Gun Kelly’s child, claims she will never live with the singer again. She stated that she would like things to remain platonic between the two.

Megan announced her pregnancy on November 12, only days before the couple divorced over Thanksgiving. She already has three children, Noah, 11, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7, with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green.

Megan Fox and Kelly have a long history of on-and-off dating, and suspicion immediately circulated that their current breakup was temporary.

However, a source close to Fox said that she is ready to break the cycle as she prepares to give birth to her next child.

According to a source for Us Weekly, Megan Fox is currently focusing on herself and her family. “She’s been working a lot this year, so she’s looking forward to spending time with her kids.”

Showing that she is serious about ending her chapter with Machine Gun Kelly, the insider revealed that the two “haven’t been in contact this last week,” further demonstrating that “things are not looking great between them right now.”

“She hopes that with them taking time apart right now, they will be able to have a healthy co-parenting relationship,” the insider said of Fox’s “table environment” for her baby.

Despite their no-contact condition, the source stated that Fox was “trying to focus on being positive” and looked forward to co-parenting with her ex. “No matter how she feels about MGK, she has a lot of love for him and is excited that they are going to become parents,” they told me.

“MGK is really letting Megan lead the way right now and is giving her space.”

Megan, who has stated that she believes she helped shape the rapper-turned-rocker into the person he is, has been relying on her ex-husband’s fiancée, Sharna Burgess, as she navigates the difficult breakup.

‘Sharna understands how tough it is to be pregnant and has been supporting Megan,’ a source told DailyMail.com last week.

‘She truly cares and feels for her. Breakups are terrible enough on their own, but being pregnant makes them worse.

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