Reference Desk Press

Last Words of Notable People -- Intersting last words from August Part III

2010-08-31T19:20:00.000-07:00

Still more interesting last words from people who died in August.

-- Brigham Young (8/29/1877) There are at least four reported versions of what Young's last words were. Last Words: "Amen" or "I feel better" or "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph" or "How is the new grandson?" All from different sources. Young is one of many people who has multiple last words attributed to him that are discused in Notable Last Words. "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph!" is the only one of the four from a source by a direct family member. It is reported in The Life Sto...ry of Brigham Young: Mormon Leader, Founder of Salt Lake City, and Builder of an Empire in the Uncharted Wastes of Western America by Susa Young Gates and Leah D. Widtsoe (New York, 1930).Susa Young Gates was one of his daughters.Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

-- Cleopatra (8/30/30 BC). It is frequently written that her last words were: "So here it is" or "Here thou art then," when she saw an asp in some figs. Likely not factual. Plutarch said what really happened to Cleopatra is unknown. He recited several accounts. She may have died from poison. It was known that she carried poison in a hollow bodkin she wore in her hair. However, some scholars claim an asp was brought to her in a bunch of figs. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

-- Charles Baudelaire (8/31/1867) Last Words: "Cré nom!" ("Holy name!") After a stroke he suffered a strange aphasia and strangely could only express this one phrase, over and over. Semi-paralyzed for his last two years, his strange case is discussed in “Baudelaire’s Aphasia: From Poetry to Cursing” by S. Dieguez and J. Bogousslavsky [“Neurological Disorders in Famous Artists,” Part 2] (Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience, Vol. 22, 2007). Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

-- Lady Diana (8/31/1997) Despite claims to the contrary her last words are not known. "Oh My God!" and "Leave me alone" are most often quoted by paparazzi at the scene. If she spoke any Last Words, Dr. Frédéric Mailliez, who was present at the accident scene when she lost consciousness, would probably have heard them. When questioned by Newsweek, Mailliez said: "I must respect the privacy of the patient." Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

Find these and the last words of over 3500 people discussed (including variations and alternative versions) with sources in the new reference book on last words: Last Words of Notable People -- Final Words of More than 3500 Noteworthy People Throughout History by William B. Brahms ISBN: 978-09765325-2-1 Available September 2010! - Reference Desk Press, Inc. http://www.referencedeskpress.com/

Last Words of Notable People -- Intersting last words from August Part II

2010-08-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

Some more interesting last words from peoplw who died in August.

-- Doug Kenney (8/26/1980) Co-wrote Animal House and Caddyshack. Last Words: (Written) "These last few days are among the happiest I’ve ever ignored." Apparent suicide note written on the back of a hotel receipt. This note, random thoughts that included why he loved Kathryn, and a gag line are considered his last words. Kenney, who co-founded National Lampoon, is virtually unknown today. He had a bit part in Animal house as Stork. He died at the height of Caddyshack's release and was thought to have been upset over a combative press. About Kenney's death, Harold Ramis famously quipped "Doug probably fell while he was looking for a place to jump." Ramis named his lead character in Multiplicity (1996) after him. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

-- Lope de Vega (8/26/1635) It is frequently reported that the Spanish playwright, said, as his last words: "All right, then, I’ll say it: Dante makes me sick." when he learned he was going to die. This is mostly likely not true. Truth is that during his final hours, his respiration was so troubled he was unable to speak. He prayed fervently while holding a crucifix to his lips then died. Many friends were at his bedside. The description of his death was written down by one of them, his friend Juan Perez de Montalban. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

-- Leigh Hunt (8/28/2010) Poet. Last Words: "I don't think I shall get over this." Some sources indicate his last words were, "Deep dream of peace." This is highly unlikely accurate. These words are actually from the opening lines of Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem." Attribution of a fitting or death-related quote from a writers past wark, as their later reported "last words" is not uncommon. Many are dispelled in Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).

Last Words of Notable People -- Intersting last words from August Part I

2010-08-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have been posting everyday on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here are some of the interesting entries from August. Originally posted on the anniversary of person's death. August:
-- Elvis (8/16/1977) Last Words. Unknown It is frequently reported: “I’m going to the can” were his last words. But this is soubtful. Presley supposedly told companion Ginger Alden he was not able to sleep and was going to the bathroom to read. Actually Alden was asleep when Elvis went to the bathroom around 9 a.m. He said nothing to her. She woke around 2 p.m. and found him lying on the bathroom floor. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).
-- Ray Chapman (8/17/1920) -- only modern major league player to die as a direct result of being hit by a pitch. Died in New York City hospital 12 hours later at age 29. Last Words: “Don’t call Kate. I don’t want her to worry. But if you do, tell her I’m all right.” Spoken in the hospital. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).
-- William Warham (8/21/1532) Archbishop Canterbury. Last Words: "Satis viatici in cœlum." ("That is enough to last till I get to heaven.") when told he still had 30 pounds. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010).
-- Oscar Hammerstein II (8/23/1960) Last Words: "Ruth, Gehrig, Rizzuto—" Murmured the names of his three favorite baseball players. He died a few minutes later. Last Words of Notable People by William B. Brahms (Reference Desk Press, 2010). Must have been a Yankees fan. Considering the quote.....While Oscar Hammerstein may not have written the show Damn Yankees (that was Adler and Ross), interestingly Hammerstein's son, James was the original stage manager for the show.

What can a publisher do to help...

2010-08-10T01:38:00.001-07:00

Five Ideas: Aside from just publishing another reference book for libraries, perhaps we can affect some change in a small... way -- maybe it will spread -- at least a little. A social experiment of sorts. In short RDP and I are committed to:

1) Taking on an area of reference information (subject) where there is an explosive proliferation of misinformation and reference online or in less serious literature and bringing some scholarship and accountability back to being able to find accurate answers -- that area in this book is "last words" -- five years ago I took on "last facts" -- one small area at a time...;

2) Being ecologically smart -- using recycled paper (GPI and FSC certified via printer); relying more on publicity and advertising that is electronic --e-mail and social networking (and not reams of unread catalogs or flyers);

3) Pushing for publishers and writers to support library causes (it is part of their bread and butter) -- Support Libraries! (Including school libraries)-- If you are not already-- so the whole burden does not all fall on taxpayers and governments;

4) Keeping print reference library books affordable -- or they will go the way of the dinosaur -- there is still a place for vetted print works in libraries to help sort through the online swamp of Internet sources and cheap non-fiction works printed that are, let’s say more for info-tainment than accuracy.... Print Reference (will never be inexpensive -- economically it takes too long to create good stuff and audience and print run is small) -- but a reference book should not cost $200 for a library if it does not have to. – RDP and I pledge to keep all my books in two retail digit prices and offer maximum discounts on top of that...

5) Manufacturing, employing people and printing books in the United States! -- Yes it is a little cheaper to print in some overseas countries but if you want to build a strong US you need to invest in it.

If you like this, I ask you to follow join me on the social media areas you follow and pass links and the word along to friends and colleagues. RDP and I are on face book (Reference Desk Press Page), twitter (refdeskpress), blog (Reference Desk Press) and LinkedIn (Last Words) group -- as well as my individual profiles. Please join me and share your thoughts and ideas on what we can do.... More later.... Thanks everyone!

Last Words of Notable People

2010-08-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

We are launching an exciting groundbreaking reference work on September 1, 2010. Check out the press kit (with sample pages) -- Just click on the book cover for Last Words of Notable People (on the right-hand side of this page) Enjoy!

Welcome to Reference Desk Press

2010-08-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Reference Desk Press was incorporated in 2004 by William B. Brahms. The purpose of Reference Desk Press is to publish high-quality books for libraries, librarians, and those who love to learn. Our Headquarters are located in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Reference Desk Press proudly supports the Green Press Initiative (GPI) and numerous Library and Reading initiatives. We support libraries in an ecologically and economically smart manner.