Faculty and Authors Archives
Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jim Bayless
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."
Jim Bayless (bio), a veteran legislative and regulatory attorney who has lived in Washington for more than 25 years, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jim's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)
Favorite Books
- Manhunt, a thrilling, detailed account of the assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his several co-conspirators, aiders, and abettors and the frenzied chase and capture.
- Team of Rivals, a masterpiece of how Abe Lincoln prevailed against his much more qualified rivals for the presidential nomination and integrated this extraordinarily accomplished group of political adversaries into his own Cabinet.
Favorite Movies
- Mr Smith Goes to Washington-a Frank Capra-produced classic starring Jimmy Stewart and portraying the fundamental role and operation of the U.S. Senate.
- Advise and Consent (1962)-a classic political novel portraying zealots in the president's party resorting to blackmail to insure the approval of their nominee for Secretary of State; demonstrates the advise-and-consent role of the U.S. Senate; starring Henry Fonda.
- The Seduction of Joe Tynan-another portrayal of the ideological and moral conflicts of being a member of the U.S. Senate; straining his already part-time family life. But it could be a big boost to his career, so he takes it on. Starring Alan Alda.
- No Way Out-a tense thriller starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman; a tale of national security and blackmail filmed at the Pentagon and elsewhere around Washington.
- Executive Action (1973)-A group of powerful and wealthy men hires mercenaries to assassinate John F. Kennedy.
- All the President's Men (1976)-True story of how two Washington Post reporters uncovered the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon; starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford.
For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.
July 17, 2008 10:07 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jack Schenendorf
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Jack Schenendorf (bio) shares his favorites.
Five most interesting places to visit
- The Capitol, web site, 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC.
- National Archives, web site, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-5450.
- The National Portrait Gallery, web site, 8th St NW and F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-8300.
- The Holocaust Museum, web site, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC, 202-488–0400.
- Union Station, web site, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC, 202-289-1908.
Five most favorite “fun” things to do
- Paddle Boats on the Tidal Basin, web site, 1501 Maine Ave, SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.
- Attend a Nationals game, web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.
- Go to the Verizon Center for any sporting event. web site, 7th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-3200.
- Take a tour of Georgetown. web site, Georgetown, Washington, DC.
- Walk along the National Mall. web site, National Mall, Washington, DC.
Five favorite restaurants
- Old Ebbitt Grill, web site, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-347-4800, [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Bullfeathers, web site, 410 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-5005 [WaPo | Yelp]
- Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-2277 [Hobnonb Blog | WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Clyde's Georgetown, web site, 3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-9180 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Clyde's Gallery Place, web site, 707 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-349-3700 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
June 6, 2008 07:37 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Al Swift
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Al Swift (bio), a former Member of Congress, shares his favorites.
Five most interesting places to visit
- Washington's Tomb or what was supposed to be that. It is now the place they store the Lincoln catafalque which has been used for every person who has laid in state in the rotunda since it was used for Abraham Lincoln. It is kind of hard to find but it is directly beneath the center of the Capitol Dome. Just keep going down. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
- The Brumidi Corridor in the U.S. Capitol, Senate side. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
- The Capitol Rotunda. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
- The Lincoln Memorial. web site, Independence Avenue SW & 23rd Street SW, Washington, DC.
- The Smithsonian. Some of these are pretty standard, but they are not ordinary. web site, map of museums on or near the National Mall, 202-633-1000.
Five most favorite “fun” things to do
- Have a martini, a cigar, and a conversation at Shelly's Back Room, a tavern in DC. One of only two places in DC where you can enjoy a good cigar while wetting one's whistle. web site, 1331 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-3003.
- Go to the National Zoo. web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
- Go to the Arboretum. web site, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726.
- Ride the paddle boats in the Tidal Basin. This is one that I have not done, but it always seemed like fun. web site, 1501 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.
Five favorite restaurants
Well, I'm a truck driver's son and while I've learned to like the finer things in life, I haven't forgotten the joys of a good peanut butter and jam sandwich...- The Prime Rib for steak and lobster bisque. web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-466-8811. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- The Monocle for history and politics with your meal. web site, 107 D Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-546-4488 [WaPo | Yelp]
- Hard Times Cafe, any of them for chili. I like Texas, halfway wet with onions on the side. web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Five Guys any of them for hamburgers, what else? web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- BJs Sandwich Shop in the National Press Building. For good sandwiches when you are on the run. (But I've never tried their PB&Js.) web site,
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
May 22, 2008 07:27 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jill Kamp Melton
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."
Jill Kamp Melton (bio), a communications consultant, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)
Favorite Books and Movies
- As for books and movies, my taste is back in the 19th century. I love anything by Jane Austen and have watched ALL the versions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma many times. The novels by Catherine Cookson that have been made into movies by the BBC for TV are also compelling.
The only modern movie I have liked recently is The Devil Wears Prada, because of the fashion angle. In addition, seeing the personal price that is paid for someone to sacrifice ethics and relationships for position and power could be seen to echo DC shenanigans.
For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.
April 9, 2008 04:57 PM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Michael Koempel
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."
Michael Koempel (bio), a senior specialist in American National Government for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Mike's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)
Favorite Book and Movie
- There are many good books and movies about Washington, but my favorite book and movie about Washington are the same: Allen Drury's Advise and Consent. The book, and the movie on which it was based, was written by someone who knew the Senate and Senators very well and respected the institution and its people, captured the essence of congressional politics in a real way, successfully invoked the political backdrop prevailing at the time (anticommunism; there's always a political backdrop), was based loosely on a real event, and, in the case of the movie, was wonderfully cast and directed.
For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.
April 2, 2008 09:07 AM Link Comments (1)
Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Claudia Thurber
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."
Claudia Thurber (bio), a veteran of over twenty-two years of federal government service, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Claudia's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)
Favorite Books
- I am addicted to mysteries so I will limit my selections to those. (There are many good novels, but I will leave those for someone else to mention). There are many good writers who have set their mysteries in DC. Two of my favorites are: David Baldacci's The Camel Club and George P Pelecanos' Right as Rain and The Sweet Forever. Pelecanos is not for the faint of heart. His books are gritty and disturbing, showing a side of DC that few of us know. Nevertheless, I like him!
Favorite Movies
- As to movies, there are many good ones set in DC. Here are a couple of my favorites: Mr Smith Goes to Washington; All The President's Men; No Way Out and, of course, The Exorcist, which has always given tourists something to look for in Georgetown!
For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.
March 12, 2008 11:07 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Bill Noxon
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."
Bill Noxon (bio), a public relations practitioner, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Bill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)
Favorite Book
- The World is Flat
-- My favorite book (recently) was Tom Friedman's "The World is Flat." I was interested in it for a couple of reasons. I read many of Friedman's columns in the New York Times about the changing nature of the world economy, as well as science, technology and education. He quite often cited our National Science Foundation statistical studies and analyses in building his individual columns. The book dramatically yet eloquently stated a view he championed for years that the rest of the world is slowly catching up to the United States in innovation, wealth generation and in some ways, passing the U.S. in educational achievement. The reality of this "flatness" is in this growing global economy and interaction, and the challenges we have in maintaining world leadership in areas the U.S. often has taken for granted until the dawn of the new century we are now in.
Favorite Movie
- Schindlers List-- My favorite movie is no longer new. But it left my wife and me speechless as we left the theater. Schindler's List left an emotional impression on me about the realities of the Holocaust, and as I recall the evening we first saw it, not only did it leave us speechless, but as we looked around, we saw an entire theater empty with almost no sound, as though we were caught in a stuper that rendered us totally overcome by the horrors of the time, seeing it in ways we had never seen or known about previously. The end of the movie, where former Holocaust survivors get together, and stories were shared, drove home the emotional experience to a level that seems indescribable, even now.
For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.
March 8, 2008 11:07 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bryan Hubbard
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Bryan Hubbard (bio) shares his favorites.
Five most interesting places to visit
- The Library of Congress is underrated. web site, 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC, 202-707-5000.
- The National Cathedral is fascinating. web site, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200.
- Great Falls Park Maryland side. Who knew there was that much nature that close to DC? web site, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD, 301-767-3714.
- The National Zoo in the spring-wow! web site, 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
- Udvar-Hazy Annex of the National Air and Space Museum, an adrenaline-history junkie's dream. web site, 6th and Independence, SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000.
Five most favorite “fun” things to do
- Bike the C&O Canal path. web site, Directions to six visitors centers 301-739-4200.
- Fly fish the many rivers and streams within one hour.
- Ride a motorcycle around the memorials and along the Potomac. National Mall and Memorial Parks web site, Potomac River web site.
- Spend an evening on Barracks Row or in Chinatown. Barracks Row web site, Chinatown Wikipedia entry, Barracks Row directions, 733 1/2 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-3188.
- Go to a Nationals game. web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.
Five favorite restaurants
- Pizzeria Paradiso web site, DuPont Circle location, 2029 P Street NW, Washington, DC,202-223-1245, Georgetown location, 3282 M Street NW, Washington, DC,202-337-1245 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Belga Cafe web site, 6514 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-0100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Filomena web site, 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-338-8800 [WaPo | Yelp]
- Capital Grille web site, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-6200. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
- Finn MacCool's web site, 713 8th St SE Washington, DC, 202-547-7100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
February 27, 2008 01:47 PM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Peter Loge
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Peter Loge (bio), a Principal with Milo Public Affairs, shares his favorites.
Favorite place
- The Mansion on O Street, just south of Dupont Circle, is probably the most entertaining place in DC to stay or attend an event. web site, 2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-496-2020 [NYT | TripAdvisor]
Favorite restaurants
- The Tabard Inn at 1739 N St. NW, also just south of Dupont Circle, is a perfect place for leisurely breakfast or lunch or a nice dinner. web site, 1739 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277 [WaPo]
- A wonderful romantic dinner spot is across the street at the Iron Gate Restaurant. 1734 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-1370 [WaPo | Yelp | DC Pages]
Favorite thing to do
- Anyone visiting Washington between May and September should try to catch a DC United soccer game at RFK Stadium. DC United is the winningest franchise in Major League Soccer and has the best crowd in the league. web site, RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-587-5000
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
August 19, 2007 11:17 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Ron Faucheux
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Ron Faucheux (bio), former Chief of Staff for Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), shares his favorites.
Five most interesting places to visit
- The Tidal Basin during the cherry blossoms. map, Virtual tour of the Tidal Basin during cherry blossom time. WaPo Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
- Jefferson Memorial at night. web site, map
- Lincoln Memorial anytime. web site, map (monuments map in pdf)
- Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon. Georgetown BID, Georgetown, Washington, D.C. - from Wikipedia
- The Senate in session during an important debate. web site, map
Five favorite restaurants
- The Old Ebbitt Grill for a typical Washington experience. web site, 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-4801 [Yelp | openlist]
- L'Auberge Chez Francois for country French in the country (Great Falls). web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
- Acadiana for excellent Louisiana cuisine. web site, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-1510 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
- Citronelle for the whole shebang. web site, 3000 M Street NW, Washington, DC, in the Latham Hotel, 202-625-2150 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
- 1789 for a classic old Georgetown experience. web site, 1226 36th Street NW, Washington, DC, near Prospect Street, 202-965-1789 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
July 5, 2007 08:17 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Dan Parks
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Dan Parks (bio), an editor at Congressional Quarterly, shares his favorites.
Best place to take an out-of-town guest to show off your knowledge of the Washington area
- Roosevelt Island, for an amazingly serene nature stroll located in the middle of six million people, and for the impressive, under-appreciated Teddy Roosevelt Memorial. web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)
Best beer selection
- The Reef: the owner knows his Belgians and keeps a rotating selection on tap. web site, 2446 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-518-3800 [Beeradvocate.com]
- Brickskeller: hundreds of bottle varieties from around the world Big Hunt. It's a dive, but excellent selection on tap. Try my local favorite, Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. web site, 1523 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-1885 [Yelp]
Best place with view in a hip neighborhood
- Tabaq Bistro, on U Street. Good food, good wine, and a sweeping view of the city from the glass-enclosed rooftop. web site, 1336 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-265-0965 [Yelp]
- Catch some live jazz nearby afterwards at U-Topia on U Street or at the Vegas Lounge on P Street.
U-Topia, web site, 1418 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-7669 [Washington Post | Yelp]
Vegas Lounge, web site, 1415 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-3971 [Yelp]
Best bike ride
- From Rosslyn, the paved Mount Vernon Trail trail takes you along the Potomac River to Old Towne Alexandria, and then continues on to Mount Vernon. It's 40 miles round trip, so bring water and a power bar.
Mount Vernon Trail, web site from National Park Service, web site from Bike Washington
Also see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
June 9, 2007 07:57 AM Link Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Mike Koempel
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Mike Koempel (bio), co-author of the Congressional Deskbook, shares his favorites.
Places
- Woodrow Wilson House, web site, 2340 S Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-4062
- Lincoln Memorial at night, web site, 23rd Street NW and West Potomac Park, Washington, DC, 202-426-6841
- Phillips Collection, web site, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-2151
- Two cathedrals, a basilica, and a monastery:
- St. Matthew's, web site, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-3215
- National Shrine, web site, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-8300
- National Cathedral, web site, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200
- Franciscan Monastery, web site, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-6800
- 4 Capitol Hill buildings:
- U.S. Capitol, web site, map
- Supreme Court, web site, 1 1st Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-479-3211
- Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building, web site, 1 1st Street SE, Washington, DC
- Folger Shakespeare Library, web site, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-544–4600
Fun
- Afternoon tea at the Willard Hotel, web site, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-9100
- Walking the Dupont Circle-Embassy Row neighborhood, map (See "Embassy Row Tour" from embassy.org)
- Tours and events at the U.S. Botanical Garden, web site, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 202-225-8333
- Brookside Garden anytime including the holiday light and train displays, general web site, holiday lights web site, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton MD, 301-962-1400
- Bicycling anywhere on the hundreds of miles of paths, trails, and roadways in the metropolitan area - see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
- Takoma Park Folk Festival, web site, Takoma Park, MD
- Takoma Park Fourth of July Parade, web site, Takoma Park, MD
Restaurants
- Tiffin (Indian), web site, 1341 University Boulevard East, Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-9200 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide]
- Udupi (Indian), web site, 1329 University Blvd East, Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-1531 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide]
- Thai Derm, web site, 939 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, MD, 301-589-5341 [MenuPages]
- Vicino (Italian), 959 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-588-3372 [insider pages]
- Tabard Inn (American/continental), especially Sunday brunch in the garden while drinking mimosas, web site, 1739 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277 [WaPo]
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
May 25, 2007 09:57 AM Link Comments (0)
Peggy Garvin Blogger of the Month at Free Government Information
Peggy Garvin, author of the soon-to-be-released "Real World Research Skills," is Blogger of the Month at Free Government Information (FGI).
July 29, 2006 09:07 AM Link Comments (0)
