newsmakers

newsmakers

88 books that shaped America

WASHINGTON

The Library of Congress is celebrating “Books that Shaped America” with a list of 88 titles and an exhibit in Washington.

The library released its picks of the most influential books Friday. Librarian of Congress James Billington says the titles aren’t meant as “best” books. Instead, he says the library wants to spark a conversation about books that influenced the nation.

The list begins with Benjamin Franklin’s “Experiments and Observations on Electricity” from 1751. It includes Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” novels “The Scarlet Letter,” “Moby-Dick,” “Little Women” and “The Great Gatsby” and other famous titles such as “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “The Cat in the Hat.”

An exhibit on the “Books that Shaped America” opens Monday.

Composer Adler dies

NEW YORK

Composer and lyricist Richard Adler, who won Tony Awards for co-writing songs for such hit Broadway musicals as “The Pajama Game” and “Damn Yankees” and who staged and produced President John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration featuring a breathy Marilyn Monroe, has died. He was 90.

Adler died Thursday at his home in Southampton, N.Y., his widow, Susan A. Ivory, said.

Some of Adler’s biggest songs are “You Gotta Have Heart,” “Hey, There,” “Hernando’s Hideaway,” “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Steam Heat,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Everybody Loves a Lover.”

Adler staged and produced several shows for U.S. presidents.

Associated Press