Lighting the top of the stairs
598430
During the 1960's, I first saw a group of films I found powerful and moving: "Picnic", "Come Back Little Sheba", "Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "Splendor in the Grass".

Most were based on plays, and when I realised that they were all written by William Inge, I wanted to know more about the man who created them, and the inspiration behind them.

This biography by Ralph R. Voss answers those questions. You can sense the depth of research that has gone into the book, with much sourced from interviews with people who knew Inge well.

Voss found a wealth of information about Inge's childhood showing that even as a young boy he was drawn to the theatre. Considered a sissy by other boys, he nonetheless impressed teachers and relations with his ability to impersonate females, an affinity that emerged in his adult work as a particular sensitivity with his female characters.

Voss fills in the gaps in Inge's college years by drawing on his writings, especially the semi-autobiographical novel, "My Son is a Splendid Driver". Although Inge aspired to acting, after college he taught English and drama.

A job as an arts reviewer on a St Louis paper changed Inge's life. Voss draws from a number of sources for this period in Inge's life including Donald Spoto's biography of Tennessee Williams. Inge met Williams just as the latter's career began to take off. Voss, although cautious with his facts, thinks it was possible that Inge and Williams had an affair. More importantly, Voss shows how Williams was a major inspiration in Inge becoming a playwright, although later, there was rivalry.

Voss traces the source for Inge's characters - his parents became Rubin and Cora Flood in "Dark at the top of the Stairs"; an aunt and uncle inspired Doc and Lola in "Come Back Little Sheba" - with a liberal dose of William Inge thrown in. Voss also explores Inge's lesser-known plays. They reveal the themes common to all his major works, summed up by Voss as, "...the complexity of human love, loneliness, failure, frustration, and, most important of all, the need to accept life as it is".

Despite a record run of successful plays, Inge's self doubt, and conflict over his homosexuality robbed him of much satisfaction; he seemed almost as miserable in success as he was in failure.

Seen as a playwright for the 50's but out of touch by the 60's, his confidence was hit hard after his work was brutally criticised by a young drama critic out to make a name for himself. As Voss says, "...the critic knew how to punch, and William Inge was a vulnerable playwright who did not know how to bob and weave."

This was followed by his first failure on Broadway, and with the exception of the screenplay for "Splendor in the Grass", it was downhill from there, compounded by damaged friendships, and bad financial and creative decisions.

After many years in New York, Inge settled in Hollywood. The themes of his writing shifted from the Mid-West to urban environments, and took on a harder, less convincing edge. However he was still prolific; Voss dissects the final work, which reveals a man not only battling alcoholism and depression, but also fighting to be relevant to a new audience. Voss explores the last, poignant play, which virtually serves as Inge's suicide note.

This engrossing and insightful biography takes us on William Inge's life journey, and presents an even-handed appraisal of his legacy. Above all, it gives a genuine insight into what made William Inge tick.
461280
Really pleased with this product. Placed the two of them  by the stairs where we don't have to turn the lights on. They provide enough light which allows us to see the stairs without any problem. We did not use the screed that came with the product.
3082111
Perfect for my dark and very narrow basement stairs. Lights are bright, and I appreciate that they don't stay on too long after I've passed by them. Hopefully that helps the batteries last a little longer. Very pleased with this purchase!
1935347
Well, well, well! Who would have thought this little light would work so well. I have it plugged in to the middle wall of my landing between the steps. It can be dark there. The light switches are located at the top and very bottom of the stairs with 2 landings about 30 steps apart. Lots of steps! When I hit the first 4 steps before the landing, the light comes on right away. It continues to stay on until I have made it to the top of the steps. I don't know how long it stays on after that, too tired from all the steps to go back and look! But it works great! It is not over powering, it is a soft light and it is actually really cute. I received ti at a discount also. But even without, I would still love it because those stairs are really dark and wide. I decided that I really needed something like this after my first "trip" down the stairs and I didn't want one that stayed on all the time. But you do have the option of leaving it on. It is perfect!
2805110
I purchased this item to use on my upper deck stairs. The stairs are in an area that is not easy to run electrical wiring to, but it does get full sun all day long. I bought this light because they were advertised as being "super bright" -- and believe me, they definitely are! Installation is straight forward and simple -- pick a spot, screw the fixture to the wall and let it charge. The fixture features two independent spot lights, which allows you to position the light where ever you need it.  You really can't go wrong with this light -- good quality, bright LEDs and solar powered. I received this item at a discounted rate in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. I am not affiliated with this company, nor am I obligated to leave positive feedback.
2330265
this has been a life-saver in a dark staircase! These lights are bright and each one lights about 4 steps!
3768688
These really light up steps that require a little extra light to keep you from falling.  The batteries haven't worn out so far with continuous use for three weeks.  The remote is IR, meaning you have to point at each light to turn it on/off, but we like this feature.
2236472
I wanted a light for the landing at the top of my stairs leading to the second floor of my house. I took an old camera strap, looped it around the metal handle of the light, and then looped the strap around a tab in the window frame. Because it is in a window, it absorbs light and charges during the day and I can then turn it on at night and have the dark landing lit up for a couple of hours. Now, it may be that it offers light for 4 hours but it fades with time such that two hours in you notice a difference. The unit feels sturdy, the button to turn it on it wide rather than being some dinky little push-button, and there is a red light that lights up to let you know it is charging. All this for a great price make this a nice solution for when you need light for a little while without using electricity.
57596
Purchased for use on our outside stairs, and they light up the area very well and the motion sensitivity is right on target.  Giving it 4 stars now, and will increase rating if they prove durable and weather resistant.
4677315
Perfect for my dark stairs! Will probably order another one. Nice and bright!
4182331
These are the perfect brightness for stairs. The only issue I have, not the it fault of course, is I have to move them to an area that gets more sun or they don't last as long. With that in mind, my wish is that they came with a mount in which I could easily slip them out and vice versa.
3596356
Perfect for our steps going upstairs, we have two sets of stairs and these small lights are on each landing. They give off the perfect amount of light so you can see when walking downstairs during the middle of the night without having to turn on the main lights. Love that they are on sensors. The light turns on once you hit the platform of the first step! Money well spent, and the item looks way more expensive than it really is,  not cheap looking at all. Actually bought one more than 6 months ago and liked it so much I finally bought another one for our second landing. Would be perfect for a kids bathroom instead of constantly having the night light on!
2843027
Perfect for outdoor stairs! I needed a little light so people can better see some stairs and not slip and fall and these lights do the job very well. They hold their charge until dawn and come on automatically at dusk .  So far they have held up against rain. I will definitely purchase more of these
275950
Perfect for my basement stairwell in an oddly placed socket. The bulb shines directly at the top of the stairs, so it is good that it is not too bright to look directly at. Also, the only switch for the socket is at the bottom of the stairs, so the bulb made it super easy to install a light that is on when I need it.
2258393
The amount of light it emits is great and that has to do with the open bottom and top.

The problem is that we put this in a stairwell and when you go upstairs you can see the electronics and bulb in the unit. Same when coming downstairs.

Also, the external finish is a bit "plasticy" looking.

Overall, it's ok. If you have darker colored walls behind it, it will enhance the look.
2884090
I needed a night light in the stairway which would activate only when it is night AND only when someone actually goes up or down.  This meets my criteria with sufficient brightness.  It emits a warm light, unlike most LEDs' white brashness.  The light is plugged in at the mid stairway landing.  From that level, it properly activates whether a person approaches the top to descend or at the bottom to ascend. I'm impressed that it has sensors which can keenly detect motion in a wide area, side to side, up and down.  Impressive little product.
4384184
This is a Great little light !!!  I purchased this to use in my front yard where I have a stairway from the drive to the door that is fairly steep and not a very well lit area . Well not anymore !! I put this in the middle of the stairs ( there are about 10 of them ) and let it charge like the instructions tell you to do and that night I tried it out and to my amazement it mostly lit up the whole stairway. It was plenty bright enough that I felt safe walking the whole thing. And it's motion activated so no worries about it being lit all night. I thought I would need 2 or 3 but this one did the trick. I will be buying more to put in other areas of my dark yard for sure. I recommend this light for sure. I already have my order in for more.