David Koch (television presenter) and The People of Sparks: Difference between pages
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{{Infobox Celebrity |
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| name = The People of Sparks |
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| image = Replace this image male.svg <!-- Only freely-licensed images may be used to depict living people. See [[WP:NONFREE]]. --> |
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| title_orig = |
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| translator = |
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| name = David 'Kochie' Koch |
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| image = [[Image:The-People-of-Sparks.jpg|200px]]<!--prefer 1st edition--> |
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| caption = |
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| image_caption = First edition cover |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|3|7|df=yes}} |
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| author = [[Jeanne DuPrau]] |
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| birth_place = |
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| cover_artist = |
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| country = [[United States]] |
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| death_place = |
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| language = [[English language|English]] |
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| occupation = [[Seven Network]] [[Journalist]]<br>[[financial]] [[commentator]] |
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| series = [[The Book of Ember]] series |
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| genre = [[Young adult novel|Young adult]], [[Science fiction novel|Science fiction]], [[Fantasy novel]] |
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| children = |
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| publisher = [[Random House]]/[[Yearling]] |
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| website = |
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| release_date = [[2004 in literature|2004]] |
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| footnotes = |
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| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover]] and [[Paperback]]) |
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| pages = |
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| isbn = ISBN 0-375-92824-3 (hardcover first edition) |
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| preceded_by = ''Time-wise:'' [[The City of Ember]] and [[The Prophet of Yonwood]] ''Series-wise'' [[The City of Ember]] |
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| followed_by = ''Time-wise:'' [[The Diamond of Darkhold]] ''Series-wise'' [[The Prophet of Yonwood]] and [[The Diamond of Darkhold]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''David James Koch''', (pronounced Kosh), nicknamed '''Kochie''' (pronounced Kosh-ee), (born [[7 March]] [[1956]]) is an Australian television personality and [[financial]] [[commentator]]. He currently presents [[Seven Network]]'s ''[[Sunrise (TV program)|Sunrise]]'' morning program each weekday, as co-host with [[Melissa Doyle]]. Koch and Doyle also co-host another Seven Network production ''[[Where Are They Now (TV program)|Where Are They Now]]''. Koch hosts Australia's top-rated small business show, ''Kochie's Business Builders'', which airs on Sundays on the Seven Network. |
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'''''The People of Sparks''''', a 2004 post-apocalyptic book by [[Jeanne DuPrau]], is the sequel to ''[[The City of Ember]]''. |
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==Financial journalism== |
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Koch founded ''Personal Investment'' magazine and ''My Business'' magazine, the largest-circulation small business magazine in Australia. He also provides business and financial commentary for several publications, including Pacific Magazines and AFR Investor. He was formerly associated with Palamedia, a media organisation devoted to business and financial news. |
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== Plot summary== |
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Koch was a director of the [[NSW Small Business Development Corporation]] for eight years after its inception in 1996. As a former business owner and operator and now director of Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd, David speaks regularly at corporate events about small business, finance and investment issues. |
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The story opens where [[The City of Ember]] left off; with the residents of the dying city of Ember following the Instructions for Egress and joining young heroes Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow above ground. While evacuating, many people were killed, including Mayor Cole, as the boat he boards capsizes and he falls into the river. |
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==Recognition== |
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Nominated for a Silver [[Logie]] in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter, Koch has helped Seven and ''Sunrise'''s ratings against the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[Today (Australian TV program)|Today]]'' program. |
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After wandering in the wilderness for days, the people of Ember happen upon the village of Sparks, one of the few human settlements to have been started after an event called the 'Disaster'. The 'Disaster' is a resemblance to current times which becomes clearer in the third book. Confronted with the four hundred residents of Ember in dire need of food and shelter, the three leaders of Sparks are at first reluctant to help. Finally, they agree to help the Emberites learn about life above ground for six months and offer them housing in an abandoned hotel. |
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Koch has written several practical books on family and business financial management; he has also published a book of jokes compiled from his daily joke segment on TV, this was parodied in an episode of ''[[The Chaser's War on Everything]]'' where reading jokes from "Kochie" was the only thing that got a laugh at a stand-up comedy club. In a survey conducted by ''[[Money Management]]'' newspaper, his peers recognised him as one of the 10 most influential people of all time in the financial services industry.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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The Emberites and the people of Sparks soon find themselves at odds. The Emberites are puzzled by the lack of [[electricity]], [[plumbing]], [[medicine]], and other comforts they had in Ember. They also find it difficult to adapt to sunlight, animals, and nature. The residents of Sparks, in contrast, do not believe that the people of Ember came from an underground city, are impatient with their lack of knowledge about the world, and resent their use of limited resources. The Emberites are subject to several attacks by means of [[graffiti]] and [[poison oak]] and are treated with hostility by some of the residents of Sparks. The conflicts are further fueled by Tick Hassler, an argumentative young man who rallies many Ermbeites against the people of Sparks, resulting in smaller, mostly verbal attacks on the Sparks, until the end of the story. |
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"Kochie" as he is known, is frequently parodied on the television show ''[[Comedy Inc.]]'', played by [[Paul McCarthy (Australian actor)|Paul McCarthy]]. ''[[Reader's Digest]]'' listed him in the top 50 Most Trusted Australians.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} |
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Lina leaves Sparks to try to find the ancient city of which she has dreamed all her life. She finally does discover the city, which is a burnt, wrecked, abandoned shell of empty skyscrapers and broken roads. She learns more about the Disaster while she is there: a combination of [[war]], [[disease]], and environmental destruction led to the near-obliteration of humanity. She also learns that Ember is the subject of an oft-repeated rhyme, and that her people, the Emberites, are the "hidden treasure" of the verse. |
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In 2007, readers of ''Banking and Finance Magazine'' voted Koch Australia's Best Finance Journalist while the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia presented him with the "Small Business Champion award" in recognition of his support of Australian small business.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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The conflict between the two groups escalates until the leaders of Sparks order the Emberites to leave the city. They refuse, and a physical battle almost ensues. When Doon saves one of the village children, Torren, from the fire caused by an ancient [[machine gun]] and Lina rallies the Emberites into helping put out the fire despite personal fears, the two sides reconcile. They realize that they are repeating the same patterns that caused the Disaster, and vow to cooperate and live together in harmony. |
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He was named 2007 [[Australian Father of the Year award|Australian Father of the Year]] by the Australian Father's Day Council on 31 August, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kochie named Father of the Year|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22339145-10388,00.html|accessdate=2007-10-27}}</ref> |
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In the aftermath of the fire, Doon finds out that Tick Hassler was actually executing the attacks on the people of Ember to gain attention and to raise a strong army for a fight against the Sparks. The people of Sparks had not actually physically attacked the Emberites in any way. Therefore, the Emberite attacks on the Sparks were unprovoked. |
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He appeared on Australian soap opera ''[[Home and Away]]'' in 2007 and he appeared on ''[[All Saints (TV series)|All Saints]]'' in 2004 as an [[Elvis]] impersonater. |
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The book ends with a scene of Doon making an electric generator out of a [[magnet]] and a light bulb. He demonstrates his invention to his friends, who watch in awe as the light bulb glows in the dark. |
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Koch is a die hard supporter of [[Port Adelaide Power]] in the AFL. |
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== |
== Sparks == |
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Throughout the course of the novel, DuPrau references many contemporary items and people, including the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' books. Some readers have theorised that both the village of Sparks and Lina's "dream city" refer to real locations, specifically [[Sparks, Georgia|Sparks]] and [[Atlanta]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Also, people refer to a place called Sanozay, a homophone for San José. However, in the novel, the settlers claim that they chose the name of their city after seeing sparks rise from an ancient truck engine. Additionally, in ''[[The Prophet of Yonwood]]'', the third book in the ''Ember'' series, it is implied that Ember is being built somewhere in [[California]], and Sparks may be [[Sparks, Nevada]]. |
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Since leading ''Sunrise'' to ratings success over rival [[Nine Network]] program ''[[Today (Australian TV program)|Today]]'', Koch has become a frequent target for criticism from management and on-air talent from the rival network and from the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] series ''[[Media Watch (TV program)|Media Watch]]''. |
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{{Jeanne DuPrau}} |
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In April 2006, Koch walked the [[Kokoda Track]] in remembrance of [[Anzac Day]]. He was accompanied by his son A.J., his brother, his nephew, fellow newsreader [[Natalie Barr]]'s husband Andrew, [[politicians]] [[Joe Hockey]] and [[Kevin Rudd]], and Rudd's son. Their journey was documented for ''Sunrise'' and finished with a televised Anzac Day service, during which Koch's group controversially wore t-shirts advertising [[Seven News]], which were prominently visible in the ''Sunrise'' program's broadcast. Koch strenuously denied any impropriety. |
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[[Category:2004 novels|People of Sparks, The]] |
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In May 2006, Koch and ''[[Sunrise (TV program)|Sunrise]]'' program co-host [[Melissa Doyle]] were acquitted of contempt charges in a Melbourne Local Court. The charge arose after the name of a 14-year-old boy was published in a case in which the boy sought a guardianship order against his parents. The [[Seven Network]] and the show's producer were found guilty of the offence and convicted.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1638893.htm Channel 7 Stars Cleared in Contempt Case. ABC News Online. Accessed 2006-12-12]</ref> |
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[[Category:Science fiction novels|People of Sparks, The]] |
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[[Category:Fantasy novels|People of Sparks, The]] |
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On [[May 9]], [[2006]], Koch covered the [[Beaconsfield mine collapse|Beaconsfield mine rescue]] live from Beaconsfield when the trapped miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb were rescued. Todd Russell was a fan of ''Sunrise'', and had been sending messages to Koch while trapped through rescue workers.<ref>{{cite news |
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[[Category:Ember|People of Sparks, The]] |
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| first = Amanda | last = Meade |
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| coauthors = Rintoul, Stuart, Leys, Nick |
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| title = Eddie gets the media brawl rolling |
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| work = The Australian |
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| date = [[11 May]] [[2006]] |
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| page = 2 |
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}}</ref> While being transported to the hospital, Koch claimed that Russell invited him into the ambulance.<ref>{{cite news |
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| first = Gary | last = Tippet |
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| coauthors = Darby, Andrew, Doherty, Ben, Cubby, Ben |
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| title = Free at last |
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| work = Sydney Morning Herald |
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| page = 1 |
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| date = [[9 May]] [[2006]] |
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| quote = [Todd Russell] opened the side door and beckoned to the waiting Channel Seven ''Sunrise'' presenter David Koch to come over. Koch hopped into the vehicle and the two exchanged warm greetings for a few moments before he got out again. |
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}}</ref> After Koch's claim was not able to be verified by the emergency workers in charge of the vehicle, the Nine Network later aired an advertisement showing Koch jumping into the ambulance, describing him as an "ambulance chaser".<ref>{{cite news |
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| first = Ellen | last = Connolly |
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| title = TV ratings war gets personal |
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| work = The Sunday Mail |
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| page = 11 |
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| date = [[2006-05-28]] |
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}}</ref> Koch later appeared on the ABC's ''[[The Glass House (TV series)|The Glass House]]'' and talked about the incident, defending his actions. |
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In an October 2007 column for ''[[The Sun-Herald]]'', Koch plagiarised verbatim three lines from a column in ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Australia)|The Sunday Telegraph]]''. He stated to ''Media Watch'': "... it has since been pointed out to me that these 3 sentences look as though they came from a similar story in another newspaper. While that was not obvious in the research brief it isn't an excuse and I take full responsibility for the mistake."<ref>{{cite web|title=Media Watch: Koch-y Kat (15/10/2007)|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s2060271.htm|accessdate=2007-10-27}}</ref> |
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{{start box}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[Sunrise (TV program)|''Sunrise'' Co-Host]] with [[Melissa Doyle]] | before=[[Chris Reason]]| after= ''incumbent|years=2002-}} |
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{{succession box |
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| before=[[David Brown (meteorologist)|David Brown]] |
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| title= Sunrise Weather Presenter with [[Melissa Doyle]] |
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| years= July 2008 - December 2008 |
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| after= [[Fifi Box]]}} |
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{{succession box | before=[[Andrew Robertson]]| title=[[Sky News Australia|Sky News Business Anchor]] with [[Michael Pascoe]] | after=[[Brooke Corte]]}} |
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{{end box}} |
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{{SunrisePresenters}} |
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==References== |
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<div class="references-small"> |
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<references/> |
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</div> |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.seven.com.au/sunrise/ ''Sunrise'' on Seven] |
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* [http://www.pinstripemedia.com.au/ Pinstripe Media Pty Ltd] |
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* [http://mybusinesstv.com.au/ My Business TV - small business show] |
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* [http://www.icmi.com.au/speakerfull.phtml?id=434 David Koch's biography] |
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*[http://www.who.com/who/magazine/article/0,19636,7401061204-1562669,00.html Interview on WHO.com with Mel and Kochie about their Cool the Globe campaign] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Koch, David}} |
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[[Category:Australian television journalists]] |
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[[Category:Australian television presenters]] |
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[[Category:Financial analysts]] |
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[[Category:Television in Sydney]] |
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[[Category:Australians of German descent]] |
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[[Category:1956 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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Revision as of 23:25, 13 October 2008
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Jeanne DuPrau |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Book of Ember series |
| Genre | Young adult, Science fiction, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Random House/Yearling |
Publication date | 2004 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-375-92824-3 (hardcover first edition) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Preceded by | 'Time-wise: The City of Ember and The Prophet of Yonwood Series-wise The City of Ember |
| Followed by | 'Time-wise: The Diamond of Darkhold Series-wise The Prophet of Yonwood and The Diamond of Darkhold |
The People of Sparks, a 2004 post-apocalyptic book by Jeanne DuPrau, is the sequel to The City of Ember.
Plot summary
The story opens where The City of Ember left off; with the residents of the dying city of Ember following the Instructions for Egress and joining young heroes Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow above ground. While evacuating, many people were killed, including Mayor Cole, as the boat he boards capsizes and he falls into the river.
After wandering in the wilderness for days, the people of Ember happen upon the village of Sparks, one of the few human settlements to have been started after an event called the 'Disaster'. The 'Disaster' is a resemblance to current times which becomes clearer in the third book. Confronted with the four hundred residents of Ember in dire need of food and shelter, the three leaders of Sparks are at first reluctant to help. Finally, they agree to help the Emberites learn about life above ground for six months and offer them housing in an abandoned hotel.
The Emberites and the people of Sparks soon find themselves at odds. The Emberites are puzzled by the lack of electricity, plumbing, medicine, and other comforts they had in Ember. They also find it difficult to adapt to sunlight, animals, and nature. The residents of Sparks, in contrast, do not believe that the people of Ember came from an underground city, are impatient with their lack of knowledge about the world, and resent their use of limited resources. The Emberites are subject to several attacks by means of graffiti and poison oak and are treated with hostility by some of the residents of Sparks. The conflicts are further fueled by Tick Hassler, an argumentative young man who rallies many Ermbeites against the people of Sparks, resulting in smaller, mostly verbal attacks on the Sparks, until the end of the story.
Lina leaves Sparks to try to find the ancient city of which she has dreamed all her life. She finally does discover the city, which is a burnt, wrecked, abandoned shell of empty skyscrapers and broken roads. She learns more about the Disaster while she is there: a combination of war, disease, and environmental destruction led to the near-obliteration of humanity. She also learns that Ember is the subject of an oft-repeated rhyme, and that her people, the Emberites, are the "hidden treasure" of the verse.
The conflict between the two groups escalates until the leaders of Sparks order the Emberites to leave the city. They refuse, and a physical battle almost ensues. When Doon saves one of the village children, Torren, from the fire caused by an ancient machine gun and Lina rallies the Emberites into helping put out the fire despite personal fears, the two sides reconcile. They realize that they are repeating the same patterns that caused the Disaster, and vow to cooperate and live together in harmony.
In the aftermath of the fire, Doon finds out that Tick Hassler was actually executing the attacks on the people of Ember to gain attention and to raise a strong army for a fight against the Sparks. The people of Sparks had not actually physically attacked the Emberites in any way. Therefore, the Emberite attacks on the Sparks were unprovoked.
The book ends with a scene of Doon making an electric generator out of a magnet and a light bulb. He demonstrates his invention to his friends, who watch in awe as the light bulb glows in the dark.
Sparks
Throughout the course of the novel, DuPrau references many contemporary items and people, including the Harry Potter books. Some readers have theorised that both the village of Sparks and Lina's "dream city" refer to real locations, specifically Sparks and Atlanta in Georgia. Also, people refer to a place called Sanozay, a homophone for San José. However, in the novel, the settlers claim that they chose the name of their city after seeing sparks rise from an ancient truck engine. Additionally, in The Prophet of Yonwood, the third book in the Ember series, it is implied that Ember is being built somewhere in California, and Sparks may be Sparks, Nevada.