He was history’s most creative genius. What secrets can he teach us? The author of the acclaimed bestsellers Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Benjamin Franklin brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography. Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson weaves a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy. He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But in his own mind, he was just as much a man of science and technology. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history’s most creative genius.
The journalist who broke the “Jihadi John” story draws on her personal experience to bridge the gap between the Muslim world and the West and explain the rise of Islamic radicalism Souad Mekhennet has lived her entire life between worlds. The daughter of a Turkish mother and a Moroccan father, she was born and educated in Germany and has worked for several American newspapers. Since the 9/11 attacks she has reported stories among the most dangerous members of her religion; when she is told to come alone to an interview, she never knows what awaits at her destination. In this compelling and evocative book, Mekhennet seeks to answer the question, “What is in the minds of these young jihadists, and how can we understand and defuse it?” She has unique and exclusive access into the world of jihad and sometimes her reporting has put her life in danger. We accompany her from Germany to the heart of the Muslim world — from the Middle East to North Africa, from Sunni Pakistan to Shia Iran, and the Turkish/ Syrian border region where ISIS is a daily presence. She then returns to Europe, first in London, where she uncovers the identity of the notorious ISIS executioner “Jihadi John,” and then in Paris and Brussels, where terror has come to the heart of Western civilization. Too often we find ourselves unable to see the human stories behind the headlines, and so Mekhennet – with a foot in many different camps – is the ideal guide to take us where no Western reporter can go. Her story is a journey that changes her life and will have a deep impact on us as well
A very merry time was had by all: Bunny, our long-time accompanist, entertained our Gentlemen Songsters singing group at her home in Darien, as she played songs on her magnificent organ, gave accordion lessons to Dave and then provided us with a holiday feast that will live in our memories for a very long time. Great fun! Tom
Wilder D. Baker Jr. — December 4, 1931-November 22, 2018
Wilder D. Baker Jr. of Darien, CT, passed away on November 22, 2018 after a long struggle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Wilder was born December 4, 1931, in Washington, DC, the only child of Naval officer Wilder D. Baker and Cora Barry Baker, the daughter of a Washington correspondent. Due to his father’s obligations in the Navy, the family moved many times during Wilder’s childhood which spanned World War II. Most especially in his memory were Hawaii, Coronado, CA and London, but which included the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Washington, DC, Norfolk, and two years in New Haven when his father was head of the ROTC at Yale.
Wilder graduated from Andover Academy, class of ’49 and Yale, class of ’53. His career in advertising led him to become CEO of Warwick, Baker, O’Neill. His outgoing, generous personality was ideal for helping his clients find the right voice for their products. Although he started in advertising during the Mad Men Era, he was focused on a very forward thinking management style. He was ahead of his time in hiring diversity, and promoting women to executive positions. He was an excellent mentor to his executives, wanting only the best for his firm and his clients. This philosophy made him a remarkable executive.
Wilder was affiliated with the Ad Club of New York, the Four A’s, and the AAF. After retiring, Wilder was on the Board of the Hyde School in the Bronx, and was an active member of the Talmadge Hill Church in Darien, most recently serving on the committee to choose a new minister. He was an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life, playing tennis, paddle tennis and golf all year round.
Wilder is survived by his wife, Vanda, two daughters, Brooke (husband Richard) and Dana (husband David), and their mother Dorothy Baker. He has three stepchildren, Magaret Epprecht (husband David), Thomas McGlade, and Katherine Stowe (husband Spurgeon). He loved his nine grandchildren deeply, Noa, Crea, Milo, Tyler, Kylie, Liza, Andrew, Hugh and George. He will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on December 8 at 10 AM at the Talmadge Hill Church on Hollow Tree Ridge Road in Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wilder Baker Relief Fund at the Hyde Bronx School, Bronx, NY.
