The town of Oswego; located on the shores of Lake Ontario; was established in 1818. It has played a vital role in Central New Yorks economy with its many fruit orchards; strawberries; and muckland crops of onions; lettuce; and potatoes. Oswego has been on the cutting edge of education and various social reforms. It was home to the first free public school in the area--a one-room schoolhouse on Bunker Hill Road--and today hosts most of the State University of New York at Oswego; founded as the first Normal School in the country. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker; the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor; pioneered womens suffrage and dress reform. Another famous resident; David Hall McConnell; founded the California Perfume Company; now known as Avon Products; Inc. The town of Oswego was and remains a vibrant community of families; many of whom have been there for generations.
2014-09-03 2014-09-03File Name: B00NAKG5S8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Lots of rehash; few new factsBy R.L. HollyThe sections of the book that are; in fact; an account of the day of Lennons death are far from comprehensive; and marked by a number of inaccuracies; contradictions; unsubstantiated stories; and a general rushed feel. This seems to be more a culling of old clippings and other published reports than new information. If new research or interviews were conducted; they arent documented. More than half of the book is simply another potted history of Johns life and the career of the Fab Four; with plenty of factual errors. A casual or new fan of the Beatles may gain some insight from this book; but there are better efforts available.28 of 39 people found the following review helpful. "Eerie portrayal of a life unfinished..."By Thomas MoodyMany Beatles fans; Im sure; had trouble with John Lennons seemingly newfound life in the late 1970s when hed discovered 1) that; irrespective of his early seventies drug induced personality and "lost weekend" antics; he truly loved Yoko Ono and wanted to spend eternity with her and 2) that a whole new vein of music was slowly evolving in his mind; given this newfound serenity; and it was music well removed from that of the Beatles...that is to say that the notion of a reunion now seemed a distant non-starter. With Lennons release of "Double Fantasy" in October; 1980; a new; non-Beatles idealism was growing and Lennon; to some; seemed to have reinvented himself on the world music stage. To a small faction; however; this new musical direction and seemingly tranquil lifestyle drove a wedge into the endless enchantment that Beatles fanatics; in hopes of a reunion; were guilty of and; as Keith Greenberg points out in this excellent crime drama wrapped around an intimate portrayal of Lennons late 70s life as well as a plausible post-Beatles explanation for their breakup; explains; perhaps; some rationale for Mark David Chapmans horrid and completely self-centered and selfish act. Combining thorough investigation with intimate and sincere moments in the life of John and Yoko; Greenberg pens a step by step account of that fateful day and the aftermath that brings a fresh and nuanced look at this seminal moment in music history.Intertwining chronological events of December 8th 1980 with categorical memories of the Beatles era; Greenberg constructs the whole of Lennons life out of seemingly fragmented parts. We see the demise of the Beatles; the deep convictions for a fair and meaningful universal peace and; of course; the music. First with the Plastic Ono Band and then with self titled albums; Lennon composes some of the seventies most influential music; all the while still trying to "find" and define himself personally as he matures. The literary result is a marvelous and seamless narrative that takes the past and gives an ethereal context to that day and its aftermath.Chapmans psychosis is also clearly on display here as Greenberg has clearly done his due diligence and presents a fair and compassionate account of Chapman whos personae is riddled with self doubt and destructive tendencies all the while being harbored by his ever present copy of "Catcher In The Rye". Chapman then is shown sliding (some would say becomes uncovered) ever so surely into the maniacal personality that; in the end; reveals the true danger that he possessed all along and one that he brought to bear on that fateful night.I would say that the only critique of this work that I can muster is that Greenbergs post assassination coverage of the grief extolled by all Lennons intimates is; at times; schmaltzy and a bit overdone. This is especially true when explaining Paul McCartneys "Drag; isnt it?" remarks in the immediate aftermath of Lennons death.All told though; Greenberg is able to take a clear veneration of the Beatles and Lennon; in particular; and turn it into an excellent investigative account that doesnt lose the literary touch that great books need. I would definitely recommend this to all readers.4 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Couldnt put it down....By KMBA great read and great investigative work. Brought me back to that fateful chaotic day in NYC when my world and the world around me changed. Great insight into the thought processes of a killer bent on changing that world; while allowing me to view Johns life from the beginning up until the very end. Definitely a book for the collection...
