Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Random thoughts of a Tennessee fan on life, sports and more TV shows than any one person should be allowed to watch.
About me
Name: Michael
Location: Nashville, TN
E-mail me!

View My Complete Profile
100 Things About Me
My Facebook Profile
My Wish List
Syndicate Big Orange Michael


Also For Your Reading Pleasure For Your Listening Pleasure (Podcasts)
Slice of SciFi
PodCulture
Two Insane Fans: The Statler and Waldorf of Doctor Who commentaries

Archives
04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005
05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005
07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005
09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005
12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006
01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006
02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006
03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006
04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006
05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006
06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006
07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006
08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006
09/01/2006 - 10/01/2006
10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006
11/01/2006 - 12/01/2006
12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
01/01/2007 - 02/01/2007
02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007
03/01/2007 - 04/01/2007
04/01/2007 - 05/01/2007
05/01/2007 - 06/01/2007
06/01/2007 - 07/01/2007
07/01/2007 - 08/01/2007
08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007
09/01/2007 - 10/01/2007
10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007
11/01/2007 - 12/01/2007
12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008
01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008
02/01/2008 - 03/01/2008
03/01/2008 - 04/01/2008
04/01/2008 - 05/01/2008
05/01/2008 - 06/01/2008
06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008
07/01/2008 - 08/01/2008
08/01/2008 - 09/01/2008
09/01/2008 - 10/01/2008
10/01/2008 - 11/01/2008
11/01/2008 - 12/01/2008
12/01/2008 - 01/01/2009
01/01/2009 - 02/01/2009
02/01/2009 - 03/01/2009
03/01/2009 - 04/01/2009
04/01/2009 - 05/01/2009
05/01/2009 - 06/01/2009
06/01/2009 - 07/01/2009
07/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
08/01/2009 - 09/01/2009
09/01/2009 - 10/01/2009
10/01/2009 - 11/01/2009
11/01/2009 - 12/01/2009
12/01/2009 - 01/01/2010
01/01/2010 - 02/01/2010
02/01/2010 - 03/01/2010
03/01/2010 - 04/01/2010
04/01/2010 - 05/01/2010
05/01/2010 - 06/01/2010
06/01/2010 - 07/01/2010
07/01/2010 - 08/01/2010
08/01/2010 - 09/01/2010
09/01/2010 - 10/01/2010
10/01/2010 - 11/01/2010
11/01/2010 - 12/01/2010
12/01/2010 - 01/01/2011
01/01/2011 - 02/01/2011
02/01/2011 - 03/01/2011
03/01/2011 - 04/01/2011
04/01/2011 - 05/01/2011
05/01/2011 - 06/01/2011
06/01/2011 - 07/01/2011
07/01/2011 - 08/01/2011
08/01/2011 - 09/01/2011
09/01/2011 - 10/01/2011
10/01/2011 - 11/01/2011
11/01/2011 - 12/01/2011
12/01/2011 - 01/01/2012
01/01/2012 - 02/01/2012
02/01/2012 - 03/01/2012
03/01/2012 - 04/01/2012
04/01/2012 - 05/01/2012
05/01/2012 - 06/01/2012
06/01/2012 - 07/01/2012
07/01/2012 - 08/01/2012
08/01/2012 - 09/01/2012
09/01/2012 - 10/01/2012
08/01/2013 - 09/01/2013
10/01/2017 - 11/01/2017
11/01/2017 - 12/01/2017
09/01/2022 - 10/01/2022
10/01/2022 - 11/01/2022
11/01/2022 - 12/01/2022


Friday, July 16, 2004
Paging King Arthur
King Arthur has been in the media a lot the past couple of weeks.  He's the subject of a new movie that is supposed to strip away the fantay side of the story and tell us the "real" story of just who King Arthur was. (I haven't seen the movie and I don't really have any overwhelming desire to run out out and fling down my five to eight bucks to see it, quite frankly).  A couple of weeks ago, the History Channel aired a 2-hour special, narrated by Patrick "Captain Picard" Stewart called the Quest for the King Arthur.  It was a fascinating look at how wasn't one person that you can point to from English history as the historical Arthur and it examined pieces of the mythology of Arthur. 
 
One of the Arthur experts, Bonnie Wheeler, author of "The Journal of Arthurian Studies" had this to say about the literary King Arthur stated that one of the more interesting aspects of Arthur wasn't whether or not you could prove he existed or not, but how each age of history wants to reinterpret or tell stories about Arthur to fit its own sensibilities.  At many times in the history of Great Britian, the legend was told about Arthur coming in at a time when things were disjointed or there was disharmony and bringing unified leadership and a code of chivalary and honor to the country when it was most needed.  At times, it served as a rallying point for the citizens of England to rally around.  Arthur also served as a unifying force against a common enemy of the English people. 
 
In a lot of ways, the circumstances for a re-telling of the Arthurian legend sound a lot like the circumstances facing the United States today.  We are facing an enemy that seeks to destroy us and instead of rallying together, we are becoming more and more divided upon lines.  We are looking for a leader that will unite us in a common goal, to defeat our enemy together and to give us a golden age. 
 
It's also interesting that I just finished reading Peter David's latest take on the Arthurian legend in One Knight Only.  The novel is a sequel to his Knight Life which was published back at the start of his writing career, went out of print and then he updated and re-released it a few years ago.  In the first book, Arthur is summoned by Merlin to rescue New York City from the depths of despair and provide it the leadership it needs.  Along the way, he is reunited with a Gwenovere (called Gwen here) and does battle with Lancelot (who is Gwen's abusive boyfriend, that Arthur rescues her from) and has all kinds of adventures.  In a lot of ways, the novel was a view of Arthur for its day and age. 
 
But with the sequel, David gives us a view of the type of leader he wants to see in Washington today by giving us his idealized Arthur, who has now ascended to the office of President.  (There's an interesting way that Arthur is established as a citizen so he can run).  One Knight Only is very much a reflection of the struggles facing the world today and our leader.  Arthur is swept into office on good will for helping with terrorist attacks on New York (thankfully, David doesn't make Arthur a hero for 9/11, but another eerily similar attack).  He now faces the prospect of fighting an enemy without a face, who is relentless.  He also struggles with his role as commander in chief, who sends the troops into battle from the safety of his office.  David's story is clearly a reflection of the type of leader he would like to see in the Oval Office and there are some pretty apparent criticisms made of the way Bush is handling his role since the attacks on September 11th. 
 
I don't necessarily agree with Peter David on a lot of political issues.  I just have to read his on-line blog and know that I don't.  But that doesn't take away from his strengths as a writer--his New Frontier book are the best things happening in any new Star Trek right now.  (Sorry Enterprise).  That said, I have to admit that I found it fascinating to look at the King Arthur legend re-interpreted for our own times through Peter David.  Arthur faces a lot of crisises and makes choices that are interesting.  At one point, he resigns the Presidency in exchange for the terrorist network in his novel being dismantled (and I do mean dismantled). 
 
Overall, both books are very good and definitely worth the time to read them.  As with all things written by David, there is a sensibility to them that can't be denied.  You'll never doubt you're reading a Peter David novel and they are very unique.  But I urge you to not just read them for a quick, fun read but also in the light of how the legend of Arthur's re-telling speaks to us and the world we live in today.




posted by Michael Hickerson at 7/16/2004 01:18:00 PM | |
Comments: Post a Comment


Follow me on Twitter!




    Follow me on Twitter!


    Recent Comments
    Awards


    Web Sites I Visit
    CrossWalk.com
    Daily News Journal
    Doctor Who News
    Go Vols
    Go Titans
    The Tennessean
    The Tennessean's Titans Coverage
    Trek Today
    TV Guide On-Line
    Washington Post Redskins Coverage
    USA Today


    Favorite Authors on the Web
    Orson Scott Card
    Peter David's Blog
    Keith R.A. DeCandido's Blog
    Neil Gaiman
    Elizabeth George
    Philip Gulley
    Stephen King
    Donald Miller
    Lisa Samson's Blog
    Robert Whitlow

    Musical Links
    Carolyn Arends
    Sherrie Austin
    Cherryholmes
    Lee Domann
    Fleming & John
    Sara Groves
    Jennifer Knapp
    Jars of Clay
    Carolyn Dawn Johnson
    Cindy Morgan
    The Monkees
    Nickel Creek
    Nothin' Fancy
    Rebecca St. JamesRay Stevens
    Steep Canyon Rangers
    Williams and Clark Expedition
    Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
    Jaci Velasquez

    Blogging Links

    Powered by Blogger Weblog Commenting and Trackback by HaloScan.com Listed on Blogwise
    << ? Blogaholics Anonymous # >>

    My Blog Chalk

    Michael/Male/31-35. Lives in United States/Tennessee/Smyrna, speaks English. Eye color is brown. I am in shape. I am also creative. My interests are Reading/Swimming laps.
    This is my blogchalk:
    United States, Tennessee, Smyrna, English, Michael, Male, 31-35, Reading, Swimming laps.



    You Are Visitor

    Free Web Counter


    Looking For Something Specific?
    Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind

    Site search Web search


    Blogskins
    Powered by Blogger