January 9, 2007

The other Richard Burton

Naturally, (for me at least) reading a book has led to another book. And a whole new collection of information.
Before Elizabeth Taylor and Hamlet, there was a different Richard Burton. Sir Richard Francis Burton.
If you've never heard of him, learn more. He was an amazing man. He learned at least 16 different languages, travelled the world in a time (1800s) when it was not easily done, wrote over 40 books in addition to articles and translations (for which he is most famous). He was a superstar of his time.
I've just finished reading Mary Lovell's A Rage to Live which is 800 pages and still leaves you wanting to know more about this amazing man and his devoted wife.

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