"Speaking of Poetry" with guest Nan Meneely

The latest installment of “Speaking of Poetry” (an SCTV series designed by Ken Picard and produced by Rennie McQuilkin) features a reading by Nan Meneely from her book LETTER FROM ITALY: 1944. The book tells the sometimes beautiful but in the end harrowing story of an army doctor’s double war--with the 10th Mountain Division on the Italian front during World War II and at home after the war, when he fought a valiant but in the end losing battle against war’s effects. His story is told brilliantly in multiple voices, depicting the impact of the doctor’s double war on his family. The book is the basis of an oratorio presented last May by the Greater Middletown Chorale. A documentary is planned, with Meryl Streep as the narrator. It will depict the way Meneely’s book led to an oratorio with music by the poet’s sister, an award-winning composer. Plans are also afoot for the oratorio to be presented in areas where the 10th Mountain Division has summer and winter headquarters, as well as in Washington, DC.
Watch the video: http://simsburytv.org/yt_video/kUD7zzo2jUo