Ross Ellenhorn, Purple Crayons, and the art of drawing a life

Published in 1950, 'The Lonely Crowd' is a seminal work by David Riesman, Reuel Denney, and Nathan Glazer that critiques post-WWII American society. The book introduces three types of social character: the 'tradition-directed', 'inner-directed', and 'other-directed'. It argues that the 'other-directed' type, characterized by conformity to external social norms, was becoming dominant in American culture, leading to a sense of alienation and inner desolation despite material prosperity. The book had a significant impact on intellectual and cultural discourse, influencing the New Left and countercultural movements of the 1960s.

In this classic children's book, Harold, a curious four-year-old boy, decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. With his magic purple crayon, he draws a moon, a path, and various landscapes to navigate through his adventure. Harold encounters a dragon, sails across waters, enjoys a picnic of nine flavors of pies, and even flies in a hot-air balloon. Eventually, tired and seeking his bedroom window, Harold draws his way back home and to bed. The book celebrates the power of imagination and creativity.