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

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7 months ago

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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.”

Carr

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.”

carr

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

carr

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)

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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 #Metoo Claims Supported By New Lawsuit

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52 minutes ago

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2024-12-26

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Blake Lively
Blake Lively’s claims that movie co-star launched smear campaign gets support in publicist’s suit -AP Photo

Blake Lively’s claims that director and co-star Justin Baldoni launched a smear campaign against her have been supported by a new lawsuit filed by Baldoni’s former publicist.

Stephanie Jones, who has been representing Baldoni since 2017, filed the case on Tuesday in New York State Court in Manhattan.

According to the report, the actor and his film production firm, Wayfarer, extended their deal in 2020, agreeing to a $25,000 monthly fee.

The lawsuit said that Baldoni, 40, and Wayfarer teamed up with publicists last August, when the film was released, to try to “bury” and “destroy” Lively, fearing that reports of misogynistic and toxic on-set behavior while filming the love drama would ruin his reputation and career.

Jones requested unspecified damages from the defendants, including Jennifer Abel, a former employee who she claims was behind the campaign to harm Blake Lively and tarnish Jones’ reputation.

The lawsuit claims that Abel was fired after Jones discovered on August 21, 2024, that Abel had “stolen more than 70 proprietary and sensitive business documents and additional client leads” from Jones Works as she prepared to leave the firm to start her own publicity company, with Baldoni and Wayfarer as clients.

The lawsuit also claims that Abel collaborated with Melissa Nathan, a crisis management professional who previously represented actor Johnny Depp, in an attempt to influence and control media information damaging to Blake Lively and Jones.

Numerous text conversations included in the case were recovered from Abel’s corporate phone, which she returned to Jones Works after being fired, the Associated Press reported.

In response to a request for comment on Wednesday, Abel forwarded an email with screenshots of text communications between herself and Jones, as well as a July 26 email she sent to Jones, two weeks after declaring her intention to leave the company on August 23, 2024, during a Zoom call.

In the email, she said, in part: “I know this journey will not be easy, but I wish to keep you in my life as a mentor, friend, and close confidant because I honestly consider you family and would be lost without your support.

I want to assure you that, unlike others who have burnt you in the past, there is no ill will here.

She said further: “I have left a company before with grace and with my relationships intact, and that’s what I fully plan on, and hope for.”

Blake Lively, 37, filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department last week, a step that frequently precedes the filing of a lawsuit, alleging that Baldoni sought to harm her reputation after Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds addressed “repeated sexual harassment” by Baldoni and a film producer.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its reps, described the charges in Lively’s filing as “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”

He denied Blake Lively’s claims of a planned effort, stating that the studio “proactively” employed a crisis manager “due to the multiple demands and threats made by Ms. Lively during production.”

A message addressed to Freedman on Wednesday seeking comment on Jones’ lawsuit was not immediately returned.

“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular 2016 novel, defied box office estimates with a $50 million launch and eventual sales of $350 million.

Baldoni appeared in the telenovela parody “Jane the Virgin,” directed “Five Feet Apart,” and penned “Man Enough,” a book that challenges traditional ideals of masculinity.

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Burt the Huge Croc in Crocodile Dundee Dies at Age 90

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3 days ago

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2024-12-24

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Burt and Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee
Burt, the massive crocodile that rose to prominence with an appearance in the film "Crocodile Dundee"

Burt, the massive crocodile that rose to prominence with an appearance in the film “Crocodile Dundee” and continued to impress visitors with his fierce temper, died at the age of ninety. Staff at Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove, where Burt had lived since 2008, confirmed his death.

The wildlife centre made a statement on Instagram: “It is with great regret that we announce the demise of Burt, the iconic saltwater crocodile and star of the Australian classic Crocodile Dundee.

“Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be over 90 years old, signaling the end of an incredible era,” American Crocodile News stated.

In the film, Mick Dundee (Hogan), wearing his now-famous Crocodile Dundee hat, leaves the Australian outback for the jungle of New York after meeting American reporter Sue Charlton (Kozlowski), who finally falls in love with him.

The crocodile is famously seen in the moment where Kozlowski’s character is assaulted while kneeling next to a creek.

Burt and Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee

Burt and Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee

Crocodile Dundee highest-grossing Australian picture

Crocasourus Cove described Burt, who was taken in the 1980s in the Northern Territory’s Reynolds River, as having a “bold” demeanor.

“Burt was a confirmed bachelor – an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” the center said.

“His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his caretakers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw and untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile.”

“Burt was one of a kind.” He was more than simply a crocodile; he was a natural force, a reminder of the great creatures’ power and majesty.

“While his attitude may be tough, it was also what made him so unique and appreciated by those who worked with him and the thousands who came to see him over the years.

The statement ended with the following: “Visitors from around the globe marveled at his impressive size and commanding presence, especially at feeding time.”

Saltwater crocodiles can live for more than 70 years, especially in captivity.

Burt will be honored with a commemorative sign at the site, among some of the Crocodile Dundee 2 cast members.

Crocodile Dundee is the highest-grossing Australian picture of all time, earning $47,707,598 (Australian dollars).

It inspired two sequels, Crocodile Dundee II (1988) and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001).

Hogan and Kozlowski married in 1990 and later divorced.

A documentary about the film’s production is anticipated to be released next year.

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Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harassment

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5 days ago

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2024-12-22

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Blake Lively Nude
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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