Rebuilding after World War 2: A new form of architecture

I’m John Eilermann, World War II history enthusiast. I love reading and researching about this period because I believe we can learn more about ourselves from this period than any other era in human history. I also believe that so much from World War II has contributed to how our world is today. And that includes architecture.

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After WWII ended, the ‘midcentury modern’ movement started among architects. It was an extremely popular form of architecture that lasted for almost four decades. One of the most drawing appeals of midcentury modern architecture stemmed from the mix of innovation and integration (with nature). Because of this movement, many communities all across the United States overhauled their housing plans.

Midcentury modern architecture owes its existence to architects who escaped the Nazis and migrated to the U.S. In the U.S., these brilliant minds shared their ideas at top architectural and design schools, forever revolutionizing the craft and changing the look and feel of homes everywhere.

Along with the avant-garde design, midcentury modern architecture also made good use of new materials such as plywood and more modern ways of building homes. The result were taller and wider windows, smaller steps, multiple views from homes, and most significantly, flat planes that created a distinct geometric look for houses.

Hi! I'm John Eilermann. I’ve loved reading about World War II since I was young. I’m also a huge football fanatic. Check out my Twitter page for more on the stuff I love.

A brief history of young adult literature

You see those books in their dedicated shelves and aisles in bookstores, and even watch them come to life in the movies. Young adult or YA literature is likely here to stay, what is it exactly all about, particularly for generations that didn’t grow up having The Hunger Games or Twilight series? Comparative literature student John Eilermann from St. Louis, Missouri has this quick introduction.

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In general, YA literature refers to books written for an audience of 12 to 20 year olds. It may, however, also include books that are largely products for adults but maintain an appeal to younger readers. In 1957, the Young Adult Library Services Association was created after a major reorganization inside the American Library Association.

Here’s a bit of context. Back then, teenagers were being served at the library but didn’t have their own books, except for a few things like The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. In 1967, S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders was published, while Judy Blume’s novels came out in the 1970s and heralded the so-called Golden Age of YA.

Who could forget Sweet Valley High and The Babysitter’s Club in the 1980s? R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series also reigned in YA horror, while Lois Lowry’s The Giver offered a look at dystopian futures. Then there’s the sub-genre of young adult romance, where teens blossom and discover love, and where there are varying degrees of quality and seriousness in tackling the subject matter, noted John Eilermann.

J.K. Rowling’s seven-book Harry Potter series needs no further introductive, while Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games ushered in the era of speculative fiction in the YA landscape. There are so many places on the web where you can find YA readers, such as YALSA, Book Riot, Riveted, YALL West, and Epic Reads.

John Eilermann from St. Louis, Missouri is a student of comparative literature. It is his goal to develop an understanding of literary compositions regardless of boundaries such as language, culture, and tradition. Learn more about literature on this page.

What made Babe Ruth the greatest baseball player of all time?

Baseball is one of America’s most popular sports and pastime. The game has been around for over a hundred years. And in those years, baseball has given us superstars that made their mark in sports history. But among the many players over the past century, none come close to the fame of the legendary Babe Ruth. According to baseball fan John Eilermann, no other athlete comes close to Babe Ruth in terms of achievements. In fact, it took decades before some of his records were beaten with a few even left untouched. Here are some reasons why Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player of all time.

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A stellar pitcher

Most people know Babe Ruth for his ball-hitting prowess. But what very few people know is that Babe Ruth was first known as a pitcher. In fact, he was considered one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers. He helped the Boston Red Sox win 89 games in six seasons which led to three World Series Titles. He is also one of the few pitchers in history who threw a perfect game.

Sultan of Swat

When it comes to home run records, it took decades before anyone else could beat his records. Babe Ruth has hit more than 40 home runs per season in 11 seasons. In one particular season, he hit 60 homers. While the first feat has yet to be beaten, it took over 3 decades before his single season high was beaten by just one home run.

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Today, memorabilia related to Babe Ruth sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to John Eilermann, he set the bar so high so early that it inspired hundreds of baseball players even decades after his retirement.

John Eilermann is a sports fan living in Chicago, Illinois. I find sports interesting because of the games’ capability to connect people all over the world. His favorite teams include baseball team St. Louis Cardinals and the German football club Hannover 96. For more reads on sports, visit this website.