UPDATE: Win One for the Gipper Tour Ends

A sign-off from Jay Stephen Whitney, who has just completed his "Win One for the Gipper" tour:

My "Win One for the Gipper" tour ended last evening at the Borders, Thousand Oaks where friends, neighbors, family and lots of regular customers assembled in the stage area which also serves as the cafe. Because of the strains of a blender making coffee drinks, I resorted to a microphone for the first time. So maybe it was my voice giving out! It was nice to see some familiar faces as well as some docents from the Reagan Library and Museum in the crowd. Now I knew I was back home.

It was the biggest signing session to date, with lots of sales for holiday gift-giving to relatives. As usual, I signed a stack of books for future sales on my way out. Finally, a reception at my favorite place, Vivoli Cafe, was hosted by wife Cathy and daughter Diana for neighbors. Thanks to CRM Tracy and all the staff at Borders.

And thanks to Rachel, Susan, and Jonathan at Turner Publishing for making the tour happen with all their quick work! I am grateful.

And, next Tuesday, as the Gipper himself might say, "Vote for the candidate of your choice, but vote!"

Reagan Media

Jay Stephen Whitney was interviewed by the Ventura County Star here.

UPDATE: Win One For the Gipper Tour

One last note before he heads home, back to California. Here is Jay Stephen Whitney:

It was a beautiful day in Denver, even if we had some competition from the Obama rally.

I enjoyed meeting all the customers at the Barnes and Noble on a beautiful fall day. One Airwest pilot was going away for the weekend and he wanted a book but B&N.com was out of stock. So when his plans changed he came to the signing! And I was able to offer suggestions on his new book, The History of Frontier Airlines, Denver's own.

Another customer Valerie bought two books because she didn't want to share with her husband!

As I saw the snow-capped Rockies after the event, I was thinking back on the week, especially traveling through Reagan's boyhood homes in Dixon and Gaelsburg, and hearing Reagan's radio station WHO in Des Moines. Would you believe the Michael Reagan Show was on just as I tuned in? Finally thanks to all the B&N staff in Denver!

Next: Homecoming in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday

Christmas in Chicago

(Nashville, TN)
Well-known for its blustery, freezing weather, Chicago has been prominent in the imaginations of many when picturing a white Christmas. The story of this city’s holiday traditions reflects a unique culture that presents itself still in today’s holiday festivities.

With fact-filled photo captions and chapter introductions by author Rosemary K. Adams, Historic Photos of Christmas in Chicago rediscovers the fascinating past of the city’s Christmastime through nearly 200 rare photographs culled from the Chicago History Museum, showcased with exceptional clarity and beauty. This makes a beautiful book for any holiday, history, or photography enthusiast!

From Santa Clause, Nativity scenes, and snowmen, to images of shopping for gifts, decorating trees, and donating to the less fortunate, and much more, Christmas in Chicago shines through the decades in glorious black-and-white photography, displayed in a large format.

“This book is unique for two reasons,” explains publisher Todd Bottorff, “the high quality of printing and binding and the fact that many have never seen these photos.”

Historic Photos of Christmas in Chicago is part of Turner Publishing’s Historic Photos series. These books, highlighting the history of the great cities across America, have been acclaimed as a staple in the collection of anyone who loves history.

UPDATE: Win One For The Gipper Tour

Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan author Jay Stephen Whitney sent us this Midwestern highlights:

With a specular sunset over Nebraska celebrating the conclusion to my midwest leg on Saturday evening, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the experiences of the people I met:

• Near Cleveland at Joseph-Beth Booksellers I met a senior couple where the wife was a teenage fan of Reagan during his early movie career. She admitted to receiving a requested photo from the young star.

• In Chicagoland at Barnes and Nobles in Orland Park, a mother asked me to sign a book for her high school son who had just given a powerpoint presentation of the president in history class. An Obama supporter bought a book for her neighbor friends (great Reagan admirers) for tolerating the democratic signs on her lawn this election season!

• In Omaha at The Bookworm, historical in itself by its location in the first strip mall shopping center in Nebraska, a daughter asked me to sign the book with some encouraging words of support for her ailing mom, a big Reagan admirer.

Thanks to all the bookstore owners and staff who made me feel so welcome on my midwest stops.

Next up: Rocky Mountain Tour Begins Now

UPDATE: Win One For the Gipper Tour

A note from Jay Stephen Whitney, as he heads home on the last leg of his Win One For the Gipper Tour:

Managers Diane and Cathy and their staff at the Grosse Pointe, MI Barnes and Noble provided a warm welcome Thursday in my first inner city stop on the "Win Won for the Gipper Tour." I was impressed at how many of the staff stopped by to tell me they had read the book in preparation for Barnes and Noble's choice of Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan for their holiday table promotion. I was also gratified to see the positive review of the book posted by a customer at barnesandnoble.com.
I arrived early and was able to meet lots of customers who work at the nearby hospital and like to peruse the stacks at B&N between shifts and on breaks. Despite a lot of construction on the nearby streets, a steady stream of customers came in to shop. As always, I signed a big stack of books- some for customers who had bought books and couldn't be at the store yesterday. Thanks again Diane, Kathy, and staff!

UPDATE: Win One For the Gipper Tour

A note from Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan author, Jay Stephen Whitney:

Monday, October 20: Two New Hampshire Stops at Toadstool bookstores in Milford and Keene made for a busy day. I enjoyed signing lots of books (including at stack for sale at Toadstool in nearby Peterborough) and visited with old friends, family and new acquaintances who bought books for holiday gift-giving. Thanks to all the staff at Toadstool for making my only visits to my Native New England so memorable. For all you leaf peepers (me included) New Hampshire's famous fall foliage was at a peek too! And I have to say I saw more election signs than any state so far.
Next: Joseph-Beth, Lyndhyrst, Ohio Wednesday at 7 pm.

A few pictures from the Win One For the Gipper Tour, thus far:

Jay speaks at the Westlake Village Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks, CA on October 6th.

Jay and his Reagan book in, where else? Las Vegas!
Jay at his front-of-store display at the Barnes & Noble in Las Vegas on West Charleston October 8th.
Hasting's Bookstore in Conway, Arkansas, where Jay Stephen Whitney had a signing on October 11th.
Hasting's Bookstore in Conway.

Sales Representative Jonathan Heisey and Jay Stephen Whitney outside of Sherlock's Book Emporium in Lebanon, Tennessee on October 12th.

Jay and Susan Cobb, Sales Representative, at Sherlock's on October 12th.

Jay with Steve Guynn, owner of Sherlock's Book Emporium.

Jay Stephen Whitney and attendees at the Arlington Barnes & Noble on October 13th.
Jay signing copies of Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan on October 14th at the Carle Place Barnes & Noble in New York.

UPDATE: Win One For the Gipper Tour

More notes from Jay Stephen Whitney:

Arkansas: Hastings at Conway on Saturday had a steady stream of visitors during the signing event. Kelli, a state historic preservation employee, stopped by to have her copy of the book signed. We also discussed the upcoming election with another customer James who was excited with the election and my new book. Hastings provided a fantastic signing area, complete with a half dozen mylar balloons with flag bunting design that made colorful pictures too.

Lebanon, TN: On Sunday Steve Guynn, owner, and the manager Judy of Sherlock's rolled out the red carpet for the tour. One of the newest, and certainly the most innovative, of all the stores I have visited has collectibles, a theatre, café, videos, and of course lots of books, both new and rare vintage books. Both Judy and Steve were consummate hosts and many thanks to them! It was great to meet Susan Cobb and Jonathan Heisey of Turner Publishing and I finished the afternoon by signing a big stack of books! I will never forget all my new friends at Sherlock's and I hope to return to visit them. What a treasure Lebanon and that part of the state have at Sherlock's- truly something for everyone on anyone’s holiday list.

Connecticut's History in Black-and-White

Historic Photos of Connecticut
By Sam L. Rothman
Turner Publishing, $39.95
ISBN 13: 978-1-59652-431-6
www.turnerpublishing.com

The History of Connecticut Told Through Historic Photographs

(Nashville, TN)
Small in size but rich with history, the state of Connecticut is symbolic of all that is timeless, treasured, and quintessentially American.

With fact-filled photo captions and chapter introductions by historian Sam L. Rothman, Historic Photos of Connecticut rediscovers the state’s fascinating past through nearly 200 rare photographs culled from the Library of Congress, University of Connecticut, Connecticut State Library, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Bristol Historical Society, and the Stafford Historical Society, showcased with exceptional clarity and beauty.

From the story of the “Charter Oak” and the state capitol’s golden dome to Mark Twain’s Hartford home and the USS Nautilus, and much more, Connecticut shines through the decades in glorious black-and-white photography, displayed in a large format. This makes a great book for any history, travel, or photography enthusiast!

“Photos remind us who we are and where we have been. As we ponder the problems of urban poverty, crime and education in Connecticut’s cities, images of the past help us understand how these problems emerged,” says author Rothman.

Historic Photos of Connecticut is part of Turner Publishing’s Historic Photos series. These books highlighting the history of the great cities, pivotal events, and legendary figures across America, have been acclaimed as a staple in the collection of anyone who loves history.

The Gipper Tour Keeps Rolling Along

Author Jay Stephen Whitney is on tour for the Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan. He gave us these notes on the past signings:

Westlake Village, CA: Barnes and Noble CRM Michele Kantor arranged a spectacular window display and another display of books at my signing table in the upper loft area of the store. Rapt attention is the best way to describe the group who assembled for the kickoff to my “Win one for the Gipper Tour.” The only question that stumped me was, “How is Reagan regarded in Australia?” I punted by asking my daughter Diana (she spent half a year in Sydney studying in 2007) to answer that one! When I started to wrap up, I asked for more questions and the audience said, “We don’t know what to ask so keeping going.” I obliged by reading some key portions of the text, Ventura County Star Newspapers reporter offered the highest praise: “I was sure glad to hear about your work. Thanks again for such a fun presentation.”

Las Vegas, NV: Barnes and Noble CRM Amy Gruillot arranged a handsome signing desk with books and professional signage at the front of the store for my appearance at the suburban Summerlin location. Proving it is a small world is the first couple I met who originally hailed from my county of Ventura. The election was on their minds in this battleground state. They explained how Las Vegas is ground zero in the mortgage crisis. Lee, owner of an ADT franchise, asked me to inscribe his book with the Reagan adage “Trust but verify.” He was worried about the upcoming election as well and contributed to a lively discussion. Afterwards I returned to my hotel where the panoramic view from The Stratosphere Tower afforded a breathtaking view of the Strip and Clark County beyond. I even managed to win $145 in a few short minutes of play at the Stratosphere’s slots!

Arizona: I crossed the Colorado River at Laughlin into Arizona and saw some of the most incredible scenery as the afternoon light faded into darkness. The night was spent at Holbrook, Arizona, gateway to the Petrified Forest. Today it is onward across I-40 through New Mexico and Texas.

Next: Hastings at Conway, Arkansas on Saturday at 7pm and Sherlocks in Lebanon, TN on Sunday at 1pm.

Win One For the Gipper Tour Begins!

Jay Stephen Whitney has started out on his cross-country tour in support of the new release, the Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan. In the heat of the current political campaign, Whitney takes time during each event to discuss how Reagan is relevant to politics today and how he has influenced both candidates.

In regards to the first signing in Thousand Oaks, CA at Barnes & Noble, Jay sent us this statement:
"Last night we had a very rapt crowd here, and they asked me to stay longer but someone stumped me with this question: 'How do they regard Reagan in Australia?'"

More details from future signings to come - stay tuned.

The History of North Carolina Told Through Historic Photographs

(Nashville, TN)
North Carolina, the state with the motto Esse Quam Videri, or “to be rather than to seem” has been an integral part of the fabric of United States history. The story of North Carolina, where the voices of the citizens chime together to proclaim their state toast “here’s to the land of the longleaf pine” from their youth, reflects both a united and progressive spirit and a unique culture that are the foundation of the state’s present-day prosperity and overwhelming popularity.

With fact-filled photo captions and chapter introductions by Wade G. Dudley, Historic Photos of North Carolina rediscovers the state’s fascinating past through nearly 200 rare photographs selected from the Library of Congress and the North Carolina State Archives, showcased with exceptional clarity and beauty. This makes a wonderful book for any history, travel, or photography enthusiast!

Whether the first successful air flight by the Wright brothers near Kitty Hawk in 1903 or the women’s suffrage campaign, North Carolina shines through the decades in glorious black-and-white photography, displayed in a large format.

“I firmly believe that to understand the present and have any hope for a better future, we must understand the past. Old photographs are a way of understanding change and the agents of change. They tend to affect us on a level that words do not; and while words may paint a thousand pictures, just one picture holds a degree of truth that a thousand words may never approach,” says author Dudley.

Historic Photos of North Carolina is part of Turner Publishing’s Historic Photos series. These books, highlighting the history of the great cities, pivotal events, and legendary figures across America, have been acclaimed as a staple in the collection of anyone who loves history.

Video for Historic Photos of Connecticut

Video for Historic Photos of Christmas in Chicago

Wealtheow For Schools

Nashville, TN
High schools and colleges are now bringing a new perspective to classic ancient tales like Beowulf. With the arrival of new works told from an alternate point of view, students are now viewing the classics from a fresh angle.

Beowulf is a good example of where there are new perspectives on ancient classics.

The original text was written in approximately 1,000 A.D. With the publication of John Gardner's Grendel in 1971, readers saw the original classic from the alternate view of the monster, Grendel. Now with the addition of Ashley Crownover's, Wealtheow: Her Telling of Beowulf, readers gain a female point of view on what was the quintessential hero story told from a male perspective.



Jack Schultz of the Northwest Area School District in Pennsylvania has included Wealtheow in his high school literature course because: "I had already included Beowulf: A New Telling by Robert Nye, so now, I use [Wealtheow] as well to provide information on the background and culture of women of the times." The book also provides a backstory for the origin of the monster Grendel which was omitted from previous works.



The inclusion of alternate tellings provide a more balanced view of the classic, allowing student to weight a variety of perspectives and to enhance the depth of their understanding that the world can be viewed from various points of view.


Other academic praise for Wealtheow includes Matthew Gabriele of Virgina Tech University, Assistant Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, who said, "Crownover certainly is a good storyteller. The narrative flows along at a quick pace and the characters are well-drawn." Richard Nokes, Troy University's Professor of Medieval Literature adds, "with the exception of John Gardner's Grendel, I now have anew favorite re-telling of the Beowulf story. Ashley Crownover's Wealtheow: Her Telling of Beowulf avoids the pitfalls of the women's retelling subgenre, and enriches the Beowulf mythos in ways writers have failed to do since Gardner."



For more information on how to add Wealtheow: Her Telling of Beowulf (ISBN 9781596523913) to your curriculum, contact Turner Publishing at (615) 255-2665 or visit their website at turnerpublishing.com.

Reviews for Eden's Ridge and Cain

We've had two weeks worth of wonderful reviews in the Nashville Scene. Cain's Version and the Road to Eden's Ridge were both reviewed by Wayne Christeson.