MERCANTILE LIBRARY: LECTURE ON SUBURBAN ORIGIN & SPRAWL

Want to learn more about what makes up American cities and how suburbs began? If you're curious as to why some people are critical of the suburbs while others embrace its lifestyle, check out the FREE lecture hosted by The Mercantile Library tonight featuring author Ben Ross.

 

A 19th century experiment in social engineering gave birth to the American suburb, and it has dominated the nation's development ever since.  Ironically, suburbs, now the hallmark of conformity, were created by dissidents of another era: abolitionists, sexual pioneers, and seekers of spiritual enlightenment.

In Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism, Ben Ross traces how the ideal of a safe, green, orderly retreat where hardworking members of the middle class could raise their children away from the city mutated into the cookie cutter cul-de-sacs and strip mall-filled suburbs of today.

Copies of Dead End will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of
The Bookshelf.

June 2, 2014

Mercantile Library

11th Floor Reading Room
414 Walnut Street, Downtown Cincinnati

6:00 p.m. Reception

6:30 p.m. Remarks 

No charge, open to the public

GIVEAWAY: WRATH

No, no, no. CincyWhimsy is not handing out free spite. 

Wrath  is one of my most recent late night page turners, and the author has been so kind to provide me with a few autographed copies to give away to you all!

To enter, leave a comment on this Facebook post answering the following question:
What did you know about William Goebel before reading this post?

Contest ends February 3, 2013.

Wrath tells the story of William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, who was the only Governor ever to be assassinated in office. January 30th marks the anniversary of an unidentified man shooting him on the lawn of the State Capitol in Frankfort in broad daylight.

Not your ordinary Governor, Goebel's lack of social skills and abrasive personality hindered his campaign. He relied on his intellect to garner public support for his platform of railroad regulation and labor causes. His rise to power included a controversial duel with Confederate General John Sanford, passing an election law to stack the odds in his favor, and striding headfirst into a battle with the L&N Railroad monopoly.

Based on a true story that takes place in post Civil War Kentucky, I was fascinated with hearing familiar street names, landmarks, and politicians of the era.  Written with top notch imagery and character development, I keep expecting to see a smug Goebel coming around the corner whenever I walk through Covington.

McEWEN'S WRATH

Thursday night, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation featuring author Howard McEwen speak about his latest novel:
Wrath - The Life and Assassination of a United States Governor.

William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, was the only Governor ever to be assassinated in office. Wrath explores and contrasts the upbringing of Goebel and his assassin from boyhood to an adult. While their paths did not cross until the night of the assassination, McEwen finds symmetry in the characters and transitions their stories back and forth with ease.

Based on a true story that takes place in post Civil War Kentucky, I was fascinated with hearing familiar street names, landmarks, and politicians of the era. Drive past some of the settings today and you will find historical placards marking the Stevenson house or the spot where Goebel fell when shot. With McEwen's top notch imagery and character development, I keep expecting to see a smug Goebel coming around the corner whenever I walk through Covington.

One of my most recent late night page turners, Wrath illustrates how hard upbringings can sculpt a man's outlook on society. I found myself sympathizing with and cheering for Goebel throughout his struggle and his ruthless yet passionate rise to power. Intrigued? Get a copy of Wrath and see for yourself.