Vincent Van Gogh 4 - Irving Stone & Jean Stone Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

One cannot but be grateful
To the famed American authors,
Irving Stone and his wife Jean Stone
For the biographical stories of
Noted personalities in varied fields -
Artistes, scientists, intellectuals,
Who contributed immensely to the world,
Through their tireless, unstinting effort,
Researching, writing intriguing true stories,
Of invaluable beauty, truth and love.

Irving Stone & Jean Stone delved deeply
Into their characters or subjects,
Into their thoughts, ideas and emotions,
How they lived and strived towards their goal,
The marvel and wonder of their work,
True stories that will astonish us
Much more than any fictional tales,
A treasure chest of real knowledge,
Poignant revelations that made
Irving & Jean Stone's books - soul stirring biographies.

Irving Tennenbaum, was born on 14th July 1903,
In San Francisco, California, United States.
At the age of seven, his parents divorced.
His mother married again, to Mr. Stone
And since then, Irving had his step father's surname-
Stone - attached to his name throughout his life.
Right from his childhood, his mother inculcated
In her son the habit of reading books.
Irving developed intense love for books and
Wrote twenty four books during his life time

Irving Stone comprehended and valued
The importance of education in life.
In 1923, Irving completed his B.A.
At the University of California, Berkeley.
Thereafter in 1924, he took his Master's degree
From the University of Southern California.
After his studies, he began writing plays
and detective stories to support himself.
A visit to an exhibition of Van Gogh paintings,
Forever changed the destiny of his life.

1934 was a great year of success and fulfilment.
After being rejected seventeen times by different publishers
The book ‘Lust for life' was finally accepted by a modest publisher.
The book was instant success and sold millions of copies.
Recognition and fame began embracing the young author.
In 1034, Irving married Jean Factor, his secretary,
His research collaborator and editor of his books.
She was efficient, talented and a loving partner.
Jean remained lovingly and steadfastly by her husband
Throughout their lives of fifty-five years of fabulous partnership.

Jean was a major force and supporter of Irving's life.
It was a relationship of mutual admiration.
Though Jean's name never appeared on the cover of their books,
Irving dedicated all the books in the name of Jean.
What a wonderful story of successful partnership!
Not like a romantic story that we see in films or in fairy tales,
But a story of complete understanding
And trust in each other.
This is true love!
How can there be love, if there is no understanding?