# Biographical Research Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 27, 1999, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680 "1999-12-27T21:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/1 "1999-12-28T06:00:00Z")
I’m just now starting a new book, and wonder if any SD’rs can help me: • Is there a good day-by-day chronology of Britain in the 20th century? Failing that, does anyone know if Geo. Beals’ “20th Century Timeline” is any good? • Does anyone know anything about ENSA, the British equivalent of the USO? • I do a lot of my research at the NY Public Library at Lincoln Center. Does anyone know what the best London equivalent is–a library with clippings on stage, film and TV personalities and productions? Thanks, y’all! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/2 "1999-12-27T21:21:00Z")
Aw, nerts . . . not only no useful information, but not even any useless wisecracks? I AM up the crick . . . ---
**Author:** ![funneefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@funneefarmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funneefarmer)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/3 "1999-12-27T22:59:00Z")
Well just so your posts aren’t lonely, I searched alltheweb for “ENSA”+british and came up with an extensive list of sites. Some of those sites were for performers and biographys about them. Didn’t see any sites that were specifically devoted ENSA history however. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/4 "1999-12-28T06:59:00Z")
This might cover your film and TV needs. Apparently the branch of the London library in Kent has a special collection on theatre but their web connection isn’t responding. [http://www.bfi.org.uk/nationallibrary/](http://www.bfi.org.uk/nationallibrary/) ---
**Author:** ![mazirian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@mazirian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazirian)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/5 "1999-12-28T11:10:00Z")
The European Neutron Scattering Association has a website: [ENSA](http://www1.psi.ch/www_ensa_hn/welcome_ensa.html) Wait… You wanted the other ENSA? Sorry, can’t help you with that, but if you ever want your neutrons scattered… ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/6 "1999-12-28T12:44:00Z")
Basil Dean was the founder and head of ENSA (Entertainment National Service Association). An author search in the Used Books section at [www.addall.com/Used/](http://www.addall.com/Used/) , lists two promising titles by him: “The Theater at War” (1956), and “Mind’s Eye”, an autobiography written in 1973. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 1999, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/7 "1999-12-28T14:09:00Z")
Thanks, all–I will begin E’ing and word-searching on these tips (my neurons are already sufficiently scattered, though). ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/8 "1999-12-29T17:25:00Z")
**Entertainment National Service Artists** (or _Artistes_) was a scheme by the British War Office to keep the troops morale up by sending entertainers to camps, outposts, etc. The ‘talent’ could vary widely, from such well-known entertainers as Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Geraldo and his Orchestra, or more highbrow fare such as Dame Myra Hess (no relation), and a young Yehudi Mehnuin. The vast majority, however, were sub-music hall types who were wheeled out of retirement, or enthusiastic amateurs wanting to ‘do their bit for the boys’. Cynical British troops (are there any other kind?) claimed that ENSA stood for “Every Night Something Awful”. Spike Milligan has scathing remarks for ENSA in his memoir “Adolf Hitler–My Part in his Downfall”. * * * **Launcher may train without warning.** ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/9 "1999-12-29T17:31:00Z")
Additional: ENSA is listed as an organisation of the NAAFI, the British version of the USO (Navy, Army, Air Force Institute), and the final “A” is _Association_, not Artist. * * * **Launcher may train without warning.** ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/10 "1999-12-29T17:37:00Z")
As for locating a British research archive for theatrical and entertainment research, you might try contacting the University of Bristol: [http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Drama/stafffr.htm](http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Drama/stafffr.htm) * * * **Launcher may train without warning.** ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/11 "1999-12-29T17:51:00Z")
Thanks, again—I shall certainly list “the members of the SDMB” in the acknowledgements of my next book! I have located a $30 copy of Basil Dean’s autobiography; I don’t want to start spending any real money till I have a publisher lined up, though. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/12 "1999-12-29T21:48:00Z")
What was your last book? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/13 "1999-12-29T23:49:00Z")
> [@](#): > > What was your last book? Eve (aka Eve Golden) has written three highly respected biographies of actresses. The first was _Platinum Girl: The Life and Legends of Jean Harlow_ which is now out of print but still available from Barnes and Noble’s website. The second is _Vamp: The Rise And Fall Of Theda Bara_. And her most recent work is _Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway_ which is being published in 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/14 "1999-12-30T14:01:00Z")
Thank you, dear—you will always be Big Nemo to me! My next book will be on 1950s British actress Kay Kendall, to be written with the help of her sister, Kim. I’m gonna have to do a lot of research on British history, especially their theater and film industries . . . Gotta lotta work ahead of me. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/15 "1999-12-30T15:34:00Z")
Lest anyone think I’m biased in favor of a fellow doper here’s some of the reviews of Eve’s work from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com). “I enjoyed this book thoroughly and know I’ll read it again very soon. Eve Golden is a talented biographer, with her succinct writing style and plain English - the prose is so casual as a matter a fact it’s like she’s speaking to you personally.” “Golden has done away with old myths, and has shaped a fine biography which exposes the truth, and through her unique style of writing manages to offer the reader a wide range of theories and opinions to choose from. This is truly a non-one sided book which reveals not only much about the main subject, but of the extravagant framework of 1930’s Hollywood.” “If only more biographies were like this! Eve Golden’s _Platinum Girl: The Life And Legends Of Jean Harlow_, should be held up as an example of how to fairly write and research a biography.” “a well-researched study of Bara’s life and film achievements … a readable and involving survey of her career” “Ms.Golden’s style is witty and accessible, but never glib. What distinguishes it from most movie star biographies is the wonderful sense of time and place she evokes. There is a wealth of small detail about the movie industry of the time, which enables the reader to understand not just Theda Bara, but the society which in a way created her … This is easily one of the best film biographies I have ever read. It is beautifully researched and written with charm and style. Thoroughly recommended!” “This is one of the best biographies of the decade. the photos are fabulous, as well as the very readable narrative style. You won’t be able to put the book down once you start it.” “author Golden has done an admirable job in reconstructing (Theda Bera’s) career … A great introduction to one of the silent film era’s biggest movie stars.” “Only an autobiography by Ms. Bara, herself, could’ve possibly topped Ms. Golden’s masterpiece … The book is an absolute triumph.” ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/16 "1999-12-30T15:53:00Z")
Oh, Nemo, STOP, I’m blushing! People will think I am posting under two names. For the sake of equal play, I must add that my prose has been called both “leaden” and “wooden” by reviewers. If I recall, my first book was “leaden” and my second “wooden,” so I wonder what building material my third book will be—stucco? sheetrock? ---
**Author:** ![funneefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@funneefarmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funneefarmer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biographical-research-questions/5680/17 "1999-12-30T20:00:00Z")
Concrete.