DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
'American Masters' Bio Explores Carl Sandburg's Many Facets
September 22, 2012  | By Tom Brinkmoeller  | 6 comments
 

Carl Sandburg? Isn't he that now-dead, silver-haired poet who read a work at the Kennedy inauguration?

No, that was Robert Frost.

I thought I knew a bit about Sandburg before previewing The Day Carl Sandburg Died, a new American Masters biography that premieres Sept. 24 at 10 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). I definitely knew a lot more after watching the excellent production, a fluid 90 minutes that interestingly lays out the life a poet, journalist, biographer, musician, musical archivist, political activist, husband, father and author of children's literature.

But even with my newly expanded knowledge of this unique man who was born in 1878 and died in 1967, it didn't stop me from confusing him with Frost during the early minutes of a recent interview with the program's producer-writer-editor.

Paul Bonesteel (right) ever so politely corrected me, while explaining that confusing these two large figures of 20th century literature isn't a rare mistake. 

Not common, however, for a man who grew up just a mile away from the North Carolina home in which Sandburg lived much of his later life. And definitely not common for someone who has been working on this television production for seven years — a man who trimmed 45 minutes of almost-as-good material from what could have been the final cut in order to fit within the TV series' borders.

Most who know of Sandburg probably and happily will know more after watching the program. Those who know little or nothing of this man — he fell into the literary niche of the less-than-chic for many years after his death — probably will be amazed at the many facets of this man of letters who dropped out of school in the ninth grade to live a hobo's life for a time. There just aren't any convenient nooks into which his life fits.

Sandburg fought in the Spanish-American War, for example. But less than two decades later dangerously ran into a disapproving American government for his opposition to World War I — and luckily escaped being jailed or deported (his parents were Swedish immigrants) for his contacts with Bolsheviks while working as a news correspondent in Europe during that war. His frustration with what he saw as government's neglect of America's workers kept his activism perking through the Great Depression. But during World War II his patriotism and support for the Allied cause was constant. In later life, he was a man at least two presidents called on for counsel.

His hard-edged newspaper coverage of labor conflicts existed in the same realm that, as a father, inspired him to write and publish children's stories. He spent 20 years writing a scholarly biography of Abraham Lincoln, but he also loved performing — be it on the banjo or in the stage-quality reading of his works. 

"I don't know if there is a voice like his who is doing today the things he did," said Bonesteel. "Sandburg's got so many story lines I could have gotten into."

Because Sandburg's star eclipsed for so many years after his death, Bonesteel knows familiarity with the man is quite a bit lower than it was when, in the 1960s, he and his work were made familiar from publication, to news coverage, even to appearances on Ed Sullivan's weekly variety show. He said he's hoping recognition of Sandburg's name will draw viewers who know little about him but are interested in learning more.

"I'm hoping a younger audience will see him as a figure they can identify with," Bonesteel said. He thinks it will be good to underline the fact that "dissident voices are OK in America" now as they were then.

Bonesteel's biography contains a wealth of interviews and archival material, including clips from television appearances, opinions of scholars and literary contemporaries such as Studs Terkel and Pete Seeger, an interview with Sandburg's only living daughter, Helga (left), and excerpts from a more-than-40 year-old interview the National Park Service did with Paula, the woman he married in 1908 and lived with for nearly 60 years.

The Day Carl Sandburg Died is something of a dichotomy: It's scholarly enough to be an essential part of any survey of American literature course, yet it's way to engaging to want to cut or sleep through.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
IESND
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: 
6 Comments
 
 
DLF Andheri Mumbai provides costly 2, 3 and 4 BHK flats within the heart of West Mumbai. With modern designs, premium services, and seamless connectivity to enterprise hubs, schools, and entertainment zones, it offers a super blend of comfort for families and specialists in search of a premium city way of life.
Dec 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
DLF Privana South is placed in Sector 77 Gurgaon gives pricey 3 and 4 BHK low-upward thrust impartial floors. Surrounded by using lush greenery, it capabilities cutting-edge facilities, gated protection, and amazing connectivity to NH-8 and key regions in Gurgaon. Ideal for households in search of privateness, consolation, and a serene living environment.
Dec 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
DLF SCO Plots offer top class business spaces designed for companies and retail in Garden City Central, Sector 84, Gurgaon. Strategically located close to NH-8, these plots offer awesome connectivity and excessive footfall potential. With flexible designs and modern-day infrastructure, it provides great funding for entrepreneurs and agencies in Gurgaon’s thriving hub.
Dec 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
ACE Group launch a project called ACE Sector 12 Noida Extension. Offers spacious 3.5 & 4.5 BHK apartments that redefine sophistication and comfort.
Sep 18, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Scott
To whom it may concern,

There is a tech expert that can help you in recovering all the money lost to scammers online. It recently worked for me and I now have peace of mind after the huge recovery of all my lost funds. If you are a victim of online scams then I will advise you contact them with the details below.

Email: alliancedigitalrecovery (AT) outlook.com
Whatsapp: +44 7,,4,,5,,2,, 2,,4,,7,,2,,7,,7
Aug 27, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for posting such a great article! I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. Keep up the good work!. Thank you for this wonderful Article!
May 13, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: