Johann Wolfgang Goethe… John Huston… Cecile Kyenge… St. Augustine… Shania Twain… Biographies Multiposts
Encyclopedia of Biographies of famous and historical figures
Biographies online:
- David Fincher biography
- Biography of Johann Wolfgang Goethe
- John Huston biography
- Biography of Cecile Kyenge
- Biography of Paolo Mantegazza
- Biography of Boris Pahor
- Biography of St. Augustine
- Shania Twain biography
- Biography of Jack Vance
David Fincher biography
August 28, 1962
Who is David Fincher?
Director David Fincher was born on 28 August 1962 in Denver, Colorado, his father is a writer and mother a psychiatric nurse. Begins to become passionate about cinema when she was only eight years old and her birthday gift receives a Super 8 camera. It is also the place where he lives, Marin County, California, to promote his artistic inclination. The parental home is, in fact, a few hundred meters from that of George Lucas, and David assists teen filming of "American Graffiti" (1973).Immediately after graduating he worked at the Korty Films animation film "Once Upon a time" (1983). But his road and George Lucas are destined to cross paths again when he was hired at Industrial Light & Magic, a company owned by the famous Director where they are made special effects for films like "the neverending story" (1984) and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984).
Working simultaneously with the creation of numerous advertising campaigns, and became famous for an advertisement commissioned by American League against cancer in which the protagonist is a fetus who smokes. But his tasks do not end here, David begins to direct music videos for stars including Madonna, Aerosmith, Sting, Iggy Pop, George Michael and Michael Jackson. Even the patrons of his advertisements are becoming increasingly important from Pepsi to Levi's, from Coca Cola to Heineken until Nike.
Just 24 years old, in 1986, he founded his film production company, Propaganda films, but wait six years before his debut behind the camera.
His first film as Director dates back to 1992, and it is "Alien 3" with Sigourney Weaver. The film reveals an awful experience from all angles, especially from artistic, because many of the scenes are cut to please the fans, accustomed to a less gloomy. Fincher himself reveals his frustration resulting from this experience and the difficulty in managing the budget way too huge.
Donya Fiorentino wedding in 1990 and has a son. The marriage, however, only lasts five years and the two divorced in 19In the period following return to video clips and won a Grammy Award for "Love is strong" by the Rolling Stones.
The first real success on the big screen comes with the thriller "Seven" where he directed actors like Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie box-office grosses well 100 million, a success that is not repeated by the next film, "The Game-no rules", starring Michael Douglas.
The judgment of the public continues to be spotty even at the release of the movie "Fight Club" (1999) with Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. The film, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, however suddenly becomes a cult classic thanks to home video distribution. David is surprised by the criticism received by his work that some osannano and others calling it a hymn to end violence and porn and fascist regurgitation. In an interview he was forced to clarify his intent was simply to make a dark comedy, satirical ideas veined.
Despite the bumpy reception bestowed its film, continues in the vein of the thriller in 2002 and directs Jodie Foster in "Panic Room". The making of the film, set in a home assaulted by a couple of thieves, it is very difficult because for 100 days the crew works in a unique location.
A history of violence and murders inspired by a true story is the focus of the 2007 film "Zodiac", which follows the exploits of "the curious case of Benjamin Button" (2008). The film is adapted from a story by the American writer f. Scott Fitzgerald, and sees stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Despite David defines a story on the theme of death, the audience welcomed him as a great love story. And the success is such that the film received thirteen Academy Award nominations, winning the statuette for best special effects, best art direction and best makeup.
But the rewards don't end there, and become even more with "The Social Network" (2010), an adaptation of the book by Ben Mezrich about Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. The film won 4 Golden Globes and three Oscars for best original score, best adapted screenplay and best editing. In turn the second 2011 adaptation based on the novel "men who hate women" by Stieg Larsson. The film starring Daniel Craig won an Academy Award in 2012 for best editing.
Biography of Johann Wolfgang Goethe
August 28, 1749
March 22, 1832
Who is Johann Wolfgang Goethe?
Johann Wolfgang Goethe, German poet, was born in Frankfurt on August 28, 1749 from a wealthy middle-class family of an imperial Councillor. Helped by his mother, young and smart, showed early brilliance, learning multiple languages easily, and writing very early to the marionette theatre (where he could knowamong other things, the popular legend of Doctor Faustus). At sixteen he left Frankfurt to study law in Leipzig. These were years of intense social and cultural life; He became interested in medicine, the arts and design, and began to write verses of hues, flirtatious and playful anacreontica.
At break of short romance with Kathchen follow a Schonkopf phase of agitation and restlessness; then, with the return to Frankfurt (1768), a dangerous disease. In that difficult time Goethe was in contact with the religious environment of the pietists, particularly with Susanne von Klettenberg (which will inspire the "Meister" for the character of "beautiful soul"), and gave readings and esoteric alchemical fantasies. In 1770 Goethe went to Strasbourg to finish his studies. I had the revelation of Gothic art, Shakespeare and Ossian, especially through his friendship with Herder, and fell in love with Friederike Brion, daughter of the pastor of Sesenheim.
The joy and the tensions of that love, along with the participation in the beauty of nature, intended as vitality, immediately inspired some of the most beautiful poems of this period, while the feeling of guilt following the abandonment of Friederike, transposed, will become one of Faust to Daisy.
In 1771, in Frankfurt, Goethe wrote a first version (a second publish in 1773) of the drama "Gotz von Berlichingen" Knight of the age of the Reformation whose rebelliousness libertarian praised young writers of Sturm und Drang. In those years (1771-75) are also lyrical fragments of two dramas ever written, "Prometheus and Muhammad", in which we find the proud consciousness of struggle and pain of men and the life of humanity as the water flowing from the source to the sea. Now "Titanic" is expressed in hymns written in free rhythm; among these is the so-called "Wayfarer cycle", composed between 1772 and 1774 and concluded in 1777, when the poet was already in Weimar, the "winter trip in the Harz".
Between May and September 1771 Goethe had been in Wetzlar, practicing at the Tribunal. There fell in love with Charlotte Buff. Back in Frankfurt, transpose that love unachievable in the epistolary novel "the sorrows of Young Werther". The overwhelming international success of this work, and the scandal aroused by it, had the undisputed ruler of Goethe of German literary scene. He entered into a relationship with Klopstock, Lavater and Jacobi, and brothers came to mysticism of Swedenborg and Spinoza.
A new love (Lili Schònemann) inspired by Goethe, the lyrics more "drama" Clavigo (from an episode of Beaumarchais's autobiography), which features the figure of unfaithful boyfriend, and the "drama" love "Star," which is the theme of the double marriage "creepy". In 1775 he travelled in Switzerland together with the brothers Stolberg and pushed up to the Gotthard, attracted by Italy. Back in Frankfurt, broke off the engagement with the Schònemann.
In October, the 18-year-old Duke of Weimar, Karl August, offered him the post of his tutor, which Goethe agreed.
He had already written (1772), and in December he read to the court ladies, a play about Faust: is the so-called "Urfaust", the masterpiece of Sturm und Drang, discovered in 1887 between the cards of a damsel who had copied. In the main story lines is what will be the first part of Faust final: we are the magician drama and tragedy, expressed in a hard and vibrant language, especially in the scenes in prose, the next verse will alleviate reworking of a different harmony.
Afterwards, he devoted himself to the study of the sciences, especially Botany, mineralogy and optics (his famous and anti-newtortiana "color theory" is that the forces more profuse, with the intent to make his most important masterpiece). The first decade weimariano (1775-1786) is profoundly marked by the affair and intellectual, of mutual sentimental education, with Charlotte von Stein; with her a memorable correspondence exchanged, he educated the son, he devoted many of his most beautiful poems. In those years he continued to work at the Goethe Faust, wrote the first version of the "Meister" ("The theatrical vocation of Wilhelm Meister", also released after more than a century).
But soon even Weimar's narrow, thus was born the idea of a trip to Italy, born not so much by the need of a homage to the Classic exterior (which for him was the fusion between nature and culture), because the image that he had and that he tracked the greekness and "naturalness" of Italy. Arrived in Rome 1786, feels reborn in him the desire desire to poetica, verses bring sublime stretch of the sensations offered by the beautiful country. Visit therefore also Palermo and Naples, where Mount Vesuvius. Will say to Eckermann in an interview dated October 6, 1829: "I don't mind at all that Dr. Gottling Italy's talk with such enthusiasm. I know myself which was then my spirit! Yes, I can say that only in Rome I felt what it means to be a man ".
His journey ended in 17He will return briefly to Venice in 1790 and then permanently in his Weimar where departed from Charlotte, will begin its life with Cristiane Vulpius, though from this point on is strong its crisis towards society and the environment. Another true, however, the strong and unique partnership with Schiller, based on a recovery, especially from Goethe to a new and invigorated "Calssicismo". With Schiller also writes violent polemical epigrams ("Xenien"), as well as articles and essays in various journals.
In 1809 he published, for the Publisher Cotta, "elective affinities" and began his autobiography, "my life. Poetry and truth "(1831). In 1814, the reading of "Divan Hafez Persian writer" inspired the poems of "Western-Eastern Divan" (1819). In recent years his creativity reached very high levels: in addition to writing numerous reviews, poems, Elegies, carried the Meister and Faust.
He died in Weimar, Germany on March 22, 1832.
Written by Goethe
Triumph of sentimentality
The sorrows of Young Werther
Western sofa
Torquato Tasso
Love poems
Travel to Italy
The elective affinities
Maxims and reflections
Stories
The Mission of Wilhelm Meister
Faust-Urfaust
The life of Benvenuto Cellini
John Huston biography
August 5, 1906
August 28, 1987
Who is John Huston?
Of Irish and Scottish ancestry, John was born on August 5, 1906 Houghston in Nevada, Missouri, son of journalist Rhea Gore and actor Walter Houghston, young balanced between hydroelectric engineer and actor craft for which changes the name to Huston.Repeatedly compared to Ernest Hemingway because of its tendency to wandering no less professional than in private life, John Huston was Boxer, career soldier, journalist, man of the theatre, screenwriter and documentary filmmaker. Never as in this case it is appropriate to speak of character: his life as a film director, writer, intellectual went hand in hand with adventure, of which he was always thirsty. But Huston remains one of the most sensitive and introspective film directors in Hollywood: just think of the final outcome of his career, that "The Dead", drawn from the stories of James Joyce, represents one of the highest points of film art.
Before entering the world of celluloid John Huston had dedicated 30 years to both the theater to fiction, writing scripts and screenplays for Warner Bros. He made his debut behind the camera in 1942 with "the Maltese Falcon", a detective shot with great economy, but considerable popular success with critics and audiences. It's the beginning of a prolific and active (won the Oscar in 1948 for the Director of "the treasure of the Sierra Madre") spanning more than forty years, which sees more than that even Director Huston actor-many films directed by other filmmakers ("Chinatown", 1974, by Roman Polanski, "the wind and the lion", 1975, by John Milius).
Opponent of McCarthyism and embittered by his impact on American cinema, poured his attention on subjects less related to current events and issues of his country: hence the setting African films such as "the African Queen" (1952, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn) in "the treasure of Africa" (1954), "the roots of heaven" (1959) and "Moulin Rouge" (1953), "Moby Dick" (1956 with Gregory Peck and Orson Welles) and "secret passions-Freud" (1962).
The Huston film genres in respect of treaties is eclectic as he is: from documentary ("The battle of San Pietro", 1945), drama ("the asphalt jungle 1950", and "fat city", 1972), western ("the Unforgiven", 1960), the film historian ("Independence", 1976) to "escape to victory" (1981, with Sylvester Stallone and Pele ') and even to musicals ("Annie", 1982). In that enormous peplum that is "the Bible" (1966), then you crop a role: that of Noah.
Then Hustona made in Mexico a movie fraught with tension and atmosphere as "under the volcano" (1984), awarded at Cannes with a "special gift". He also directed "Prizzi's honor" (1985, with Kathleen Turner and Jack Nicholson) and the aforementioned touching homage to James Joyce's "The Dead" (1987). In both did debut the daughter taking her to an Oscar.
John Huston died on August 28, 1987, a few days after the presentation of his latest film at the Venice Film Festival.
Biography of Cecile Kyenge
Who is Cecile Kyenge?
Cécile Kyenge Kashetu was born on 28 August 1964 in Kambove, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and moved to Italy at the age of nineteen, in 19After graduating from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome in medicine and surgery, specializing at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in ophthalmology, exercising so as a doctor ophthalmologist.Married an Italian and mother of two daughters, in 2004 she was elected to the Democrats of the left in a district of the municipality of Modena; later, she was appointed head of the provincial Forum of international cooperation and immigration.
On 7 June 2009 Cécile Kyenge was elected provincial councillor in Modena, in the ranks of the Democratic Party, entering the Welfare Commission and social policies. Appointed head of region of the immigration policies of the Democratic Party for the Emilia Romagna, starting from September 2010 is spokesperson for nationwide "March 1", a network that deals with the promotion of human rights and especially the rights of migrants: the Association, among other things, calls for the abolition of the permit, the repeal of the offence of illegal immigration and of the Bossi-Fini law and the recognition of citizenship via jus soli and jus sanguinis, not and the closure of the Cie.
Constantly involved in initiatives relating to citizenship, Cecile Kyenge cooperates with Immigration and Courier Combonifem; It also coordinates, in collaboration with the University of Lubumbashi, Afia project designed to train doctors in Congo.
After the Italian general election of 24 February 25, 2013, and was elected Deputy for the Democratic Party, first woman with African descent in Parliament; a few weeks later, signing along with Roberto Hope, Khalid Chaouki and Pier Luigi Bersani, his party colleagues, a bill for the recognition of citizenship to immigrants, who expects to be recognized citizenship to children born in Italy and children of foreigners who reside for at least five years in our country.
On 28 April, finally, Cécile Kyenge is appointed Minister of integration for the new Government led by Enrico Letta, becoming the first black Minister of the Italian Republic.
Biography of Paolo Mantegazza
October 31, 1831
August 28, 1910
Who is Paolo Mantegazza?
Paolo Mantegazza was born on 31 October 1831 at Monza. The mother Laura Solera Maan is remembered as one of the most active women in the political struggle for the Constitution: Italian State participates with the 16-year-old baby to the five days of Milan, during which stands out for its relief efforts in respect of the wounded.Paul chose to study medicine and in 23 years he graduated in medicine and surgery at the Istituto Lombardo di Pavia. After graduation she continued her studies in Latin America from which he returned in 1858 after acquiring the specialty as a medical hygienist. His interests are very diverse. It is a firm believer of the positivity of evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin, and from this point of view of issues such as sexual selection and atavism, intended as a return to an individual of traits and characteristics belonging to previous generations.
In the medical field turns for an experimenter: in the mid-19th century attempt to artificial insemination and consider using hibernation processes in the medical field. His revolutionary idea was to establish a kind of seed bank, taken to all soldiers leaving for war.
In South America observes the effects on indigenous use of coca leaves, and in 1859 he wrote the essay "on the virtues of coca medicinal and hygienic food and nervous in General". Maan enhances the positive virtues of coca leaves, especially in the treatment of mental illness. His interest is not directed only to cocaine, but a series of drugs, which provides a broad classification into "text Paintings of human nature. Feasts and inebriations "published in 18
Once back in Italy he is entrusted for a period the Chair of Pathology at the University of Pavia. And in Pavia, he founded the first European Laboratory of experimental pathology. Its innovative activity continues with the founding in 1869 the first Italian Chair of anthropology and the National Museum of anthropology and Ethnology in Florence. His interest in anthropology and Charles Darwin's theories are such that with happy Finci founded the magazine "Archive for anthropology and Ethnology" (1871) and the Italian society of anthropology and Ethnology.
The sample received from his mother at a young age leads him to never abandon either the active participation in the life of the newborn Republic of Italy. In the period between 1865 and 1876 he served as a member and then a Senator.
His eclectic and curious personality leads him to become interested in many different topics even the legends related to flowers. It is also a pioneer in studies of neurophysiology and physiology of nervous States, on which she writes lyrics like "physiology of pain" (1880), "ecstasy" (1887) and "pleasure Physiology" (1877).
The Lombard physician is aware of the avant-garde look of his studies, especially in the field of drugs. He himself will claim that everything that concerns itself will become very soon "big Science".
In order to test the validity of his theories experiments directly on itself the effect of drugs, and before prescribe for a therapy, always check carefully the effects; It is made of a medical practice absolutely new and experimental for its time.
As a result of his research concludes that foods may be nervous of great benefit to people, obviously if taken with "prudent abundance". His idea is that the thrill that they induce is positive because of a esaltatrice mood that can brighten up your life. His concept of drunkenness is ampio e and he also speaks of intoxication from joy, love or ambition. His scientific writings are also rich in steps almost romance.
For "nerve food" products like coffee, tea, mate, Guarana, tobacco, opium, hashish, cocaine and up kava. From true Harbinger also includes that his effort will soon overcome classificatory not from nature, but from which, according to him, will give the new guys nervous food able to tickle their psyche.
From 1870 to 1890 made a series of trips to various regions, even unknown, to complete and deepen his studies which make it very popular in South America, particularly in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Paolo Mantegazza died at San Terenzo (Lerici, La Spezia) on 28 August 1910, at the age of 78 years.
Biography of Boris Pahor
August 28, 1913
Who is Boris Pahor?
The Slovene writer Boris Pahor was born in Trieste on August 28, 19Finish the junior high school he attended the Seminary of Capodistria that does not end. With the advent of the German occupation of Venezia Giulia, joins the Slovenian partisan units operating in the area.Captured by the Nazis he was interned in different P concentration camps, first in France and then in Germany (Natzweiler-Struthof, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen). Finished the war back in his hometown, adhering to many cultural enterprises associations and non-Catholic Slovene Communist.
In the years ' 50 became the Chief Editor of the magazine "Zaliv" (Gulf) that deals with literary themes, but also topical issues. In these years Boris Pahor keeps a close and constant contact with Edvard Kocbek, Slovenian poet dissenter his dear friend. Together with writer Alojz Rebula, in 1975 will publish the book "Edvard Kocbek: the witness of our time" (Edvard Kocbek: evalec? na pri? ega? asa): the text provokes harsh reactions from the Yugoslav Government. Pahor's works are prohibited in the Socialist Republic of Slovenia and the author is forbidden entry into Yugoslavia.
Thanks to its moral and aesthetic posture, Pahor became one of the most important points of reference for the younger generation of Slovene Writers, starting with Drago Jan? ar, one of the most famous contemporary Slovene Writers, whose works were translated worldwide in twenty languages.
The best known work by Pahor is entitled "Necropolis" (1997), autobiographical novel about his imprisonment in Natzweiler-Struthof.
Among his awards and Honors include the Preseren Prize in 1992, the San Giusto d'Oro Award in 2003 and the prestigious French award the Legion of honor in 2007.
Boris Pahor lives and works in Trieste.
Biography of St. Augustine
4 November 13, 35
August 28, 43 0
Who is St. Augustine?
Born on 13 November 354, son of a municipal councillor and modest owner of Tagaste in Numidia and pious mother Monica, Augustine, African by birth but Roman culture and language, philosopher and Saint, is one of the most eminent doctors of the Church. While studying first at Carthage and Rome and then Milan, led a wild life in his youth then marked by a famous convert thanks mainly to the study of ancient philosophers.Its long and tormented inner evolution begins with the reading of Cicero's Hortensius excites him for wisdom and subtlety but thoughts Guide to rationalist tendencies and naturaliste. Shortly after, read the Scriptures without fruit, is fascinated by the antagonism of the manichaeans principles between the two opposites and coeternal: Well-light-Spirit-God on one side and Male-Darkness-Materia-Satan on the other.
Realizing through the study of liberal arts of the inconsistency of the hands (from which derives the term "Manichean"), especially after the disappointing encounter with the Manichean Bishop Fausto, defined below in "confessions" (his spiritual masterpiece, its narrative errors of youth and his conversion), "gran trap of the devil, not back to the Catholic Church but approaches the skeptical philosophers temptation" academics "and dips in reading the Platonic solids.
As master of rhetoric, Augustine left Rome to Milan where the meeting with Bishop Ambrose is crucial for his conversion was able to interpret "spiritaliter" writing and making it intelligible.
On the night of 24 and 6 April 25, 38, Easter Eve, Augustine is baptized by the Bishop together with his son, Adeodatus had seventeen. Decides to return to Africa but his mother dies in Ostia: therefore decides to return to Rome where he remained until 388 continuing to write.
Retires at Tagaste, Africa, leading ascetic lifestyle program, and ordained a priest in Hippo gets to found a monastery.
After an intense Episcopal activity, Augustine died on 28 August, 430.
St. Augustine thought about the problem of sin and grace as the only means of salvation.
He argued against Manichaeism, human freedom, the personal character of ethical responsibility and negativity of evil.
Developed from the philosophical point of view the theme of interiority, in particular arguing that it is in the privacy of your consciousness that you discover God and finds himself the certainty that is overcome skeptical doubt.
Among his works it should also be noted the beautiful "city of God", the fight between Christianity and Paganism translated in the fight between the city and the earthly city.
(Pictured:-St. Augustine Bishop-detail-Sandro Botticelli)
Shania Twain biography
August 28, 1965
Who is Shania Twain?
Country music icon, Shania Twain (whose real name is the less exotic Eileen) was born on August 28, 1965 in Windsor, Ontario, the second of five children, from a very young is encouraged by parents Sharon and Jerry (his father was an Indian belonging to the tribe of Ojibway), to follow his musical star. And it is perhaps no coincidence that his stage name Shania in Ojibwe language means "on my way".The little singer was already brought to the music from its first stirrings: "in three years, I was experimenting with the harmonies, tones and resonances. I was six when I walked into my first chorus, and eight when I started singing professionally in clubs ", says she.
Eileen began to write and perform his own songs at the age of ten, and in the summer he works with his father in the reforestation of the Canadian forest. His musical references to that period, but never abandoned spiritually, are country singers like Tammy Wynette and Willie Nelson but also personalities of pop like Stevie Wonder, Mamas and Papas and The Carpenters.
After graduation, Eileen moved to Toronto where it tries to assert itself in the world of music, but in 1987 a terrible tragedy bursts into his life, paralizzandone activities and temporarily breaking his projects: his parents are killed in a serious car accident: Shania is so forced to return to mother to her younger siblings, forgetting for the moment the music. With great resourcefulness, did not intend to leave that road which is already partially written in name that you chose, and so continues in its goal: make music his life.
The debut album came in 1993 and is titled as often happens only with the artist's name. Unfortunately, the sale of this first release are not exciting as the beautiful singer will be attempted several times to let loose and change direction. Fortunately two years later things are changing and in January 1995 when he released his single "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" which turns out to be a great success; as well as the entire second album The woman in me "which sold over ten million records.
In 1997 will reach the media boom with the third album "Come on over" and "That don't impress me much".
In 2002 she is great on reappearance, after a long silence, with the new album "Up!": Look renewed and refreshed image for a new single that went well beyond expectations: that "I'm going to getcha good", perhaps his greatest achievement, which became the classic catchphrase which is almost impossible to get rid of.
Biography of Jack Vance
August 28, 1916
May 26, 2013
Who is Jack Vance?
John Holbrook Vance, better known as Jack Vance, was born in San Francisco, State of California, on 28 August 19Said American author, writing in the fantasy genre is famous for his works of science fiction and for his extraordinary prolificacy.The bucolic setting must have affected not just on the future of this writer, inspiration because it is always the time of childhood, when he can, Jack Vance, sometimes indirectly through his stories. As a child, overcame the disappointment of the parents ' separation, little John grew up in the ranch of his maternal grandparents, along with his many brothers, Oakley farm, in the delta of the Sacramento River. There he moved, with his mother, around the 20 's.
As a boy, even from high school, Vance reads a lot and also writes, including poetry. It feeds on pulp magazines such as Weird Tales and Amazing Stories. By his own admission, he devours authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, Lord Dunsany and P.G. Wodehouse.
Finished high school, can't afford a university education, at least not right away. So, the young John begins a series of odd jobs, turning America in search of fortune, in the manner of beat writers, but long before them. He worked as a fruit picker, worker, Miner, oil wells, personnel employed in a cannery and much more. Before the second world war, however, time to resume his studies, and he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. Geology, engineering, physics, and only at the end, journalism, are matters which deepens, without completing his studies. At the same time, during these 30 years ' work in the shipyards at Pearl Harbor, specializing also as an electrician.
In 1940 Jack Vance, then known only as John, enlisted as a sailor in the merchant marine of the United States. Turning to the seas, sailing in the Pacific and discover those places later, ripescherà for his stories. However, already at this military experience, so to speak, he completed several short stories, which promises to return in times of peace. In fact, his first story comes out when the conflict is not yet over, "Thrilling Wonder Stories" and is titled "The World Thinker". It is the beginning of the cycle of "dying Earth".
He returned to America and resumed the round of trades, adding on his list to jazz musician and Mason. But soon, encouraged by stories that can also publish on other magazine that will welcome a large part of its production in recent years, the "Startling Stories", is devoted almost entirely to writing. Meanwhile, in 1946 Under wedding Inglod. Later, had her first child, moved to one of the many houses of his life, some floating, like the one in Kashmir, other spaces independently constructed, as this first dwelling in which goes to live with his wife and child, before the 50 's.
In 1948, therefore, Vance began to publish the series of pieces focus on the adventures of Magnus Ridolph. The detective from the future like people and welcome his magazine stories, full of twists and resolutions to the limit of legality, until 1966.
Two years later, Jack Vance comes out with his first novel, entitled "The Dying Earth". Is a full-blown fantasy, which brings together six stories previously written by the author, revised and revisited in a unified way. The setting, the characters, the plots make it unique Vance's work and inspire him for the sequel, which were soon to come out, one after the other. According to the critics, in those years is thanks to Vance on "most beautiful fantasy cycle of the last fifty years". "The Eyes of The Overworld", "Cugel's Saga" and "Rhialto the Marvellous", coming out in succession and continue his first novel, are a not inconsiderable success.
20th Century Fox wants him as writer Jack Vance takes part in some projects, beginning a collaboration that lasts two decades, although in phases, from the early 50 's until almost 70 years. In New York, writes screenplays for the TV show "Captain Video".
Meanwhile, always with his wife, he is dedicated to travel, his passion. From the most exotic places in Europe, including Italy. At the end of the years ' 50 completes "the Odyssey of Glystra" and "Pao" language, begins the "trilogy of Durdane series" and the "demons". In addition, writes the "known Men and dragons", which earned him the "Hugo Award", in 1963.
As usual, the author's native San Francisco resumes old themes and comes back on you, as in the cycle of "dying Earth", the first he created. In 1966 he wrote "the eyes of the Overworld", just as the umpteenth launches adventure serials, one of series of "Adventure", which opens with "The Chasch" in 19This is followed by "On" and "the Wankh Dirden", both from 1969, and "Unep", 1970, that finally closes the Festival.
He devoted himself to novels only, as "the Castle" of 1966, which won both the Nebula Award "in 1966 that" Hugo "in 1967.
The years ' 70 and ' 80 are dedicated respectively to two cycles, who invents from scratch, both successful. The first is the "Alastor", also called "star cluster", which consists of "", "Trullion Maraun" and "Wyst", which come in 1973, 1975 and 19The second is to "Lyonesse", which is a rewriting of certain fictional key legends Celtic area, including Suldrun's Garden "," 1983, "Green Pearl", and "1985", 1990 Madouc.
However Jack Vance often choose certain nicknames to give life to their great material, sometimes alternating with a giallistica production. With the names of John Holbrook, Alan Wade, Peter Ellery Queen Hold and you give right to the kind of yellow, which won the highest award for literature of this type, "the Edgar Wallace Award.
Also in 1997, Vance was awarded the prestigious "Gandalf Grand Master".
After the "Chronicles of Cadwal", finally on account of his vast production, written between the years ' 80 and ' 90, his later novels, all unique and without continuations, are "Nightlight", 1996, "Ports of call", and "Lurulu 1998" published in 2004.
Considered a "sacred Monster" of the fantastic, with over 600 publications in over fifty years of writing, Jack Vance has always lived with his wife and one of his sons in Oakland, California.
Jack Vance has died at the age of 96 years on May 26, 2013.
Sources: Biografieonline.it