In case anyone out there has been worrying we've fallen off the planet, we haven't. It's just that for the past few weeks we've had the wonderful problem of being swamped with work on both the book and blog
sides of our business. So, instead of writing about Authors helping Authors here at A-ha!, we've actually been very busy helping authors like Bob Stevens produce and publish his labor of love. We decided to devote a couple of posts to announcing the fruits of our recent labors, both to share with you and prove we're still at it. So check out the press release on Bob's book and stay tuned for more!
For Immediate Release
contact: Yvonne DiVita/Tom Collins
585.427.7596 or [email protected]Thunderbolt from a Clear Sky
Historical letters and papers paint a picture of
“new rules, new maxims of trade”
on the iron rails of 19th century America.
WME Books is proud to announce the release of Thunderbolt from a Clear Sky, by Robert C. Stevens. The book chronicles Robert W. S. Stevens days as a land speculator, a lawyer, and a railroad builder. Of special interest to history buffs is Robert W.S. Stevens' first person account of the infamous Quantrill rebel raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in 1863, a part of American history often left out of the history books.
Written with the help of editor Betty Adams, Stevens chronicles the life of his great-grandfather in the tumultuous frontier world of early America. The story is brought to life in vivid prose - accompanied by original black and white photographs. The author and his editor paid careful attention to the study of a man who was a pivotal figure in the industrialization and modernization of 19th century America. Their efforts have created a biographical account of an exceptional man whose works deserve to be remembered throughout history.
"I didn't write it to idolize my great-grandfather," Stevens' says. "My admiration and respect are obvious. But, I really wanted to share an important part of American history - especially a good deal of the early history of Missouri and Kansas, according to my great-grandfather's writings." Stevens' created much of the book from the diaries and letters he discovered in an attic, years ago.
This description of Robert W.S. Stevens, (as noted in the book) by his contemporaries, tells a story all in itself:
"New life, new energy, new enterprises, new rules and maxims of trade,
come with the advent of railroads. Bob Stevens has set things a-bobbing.
His railroad has fallen upon us like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. He is
everywhere all at once, omnipresent, ubiquitous, and irrepressible. He
launches his iron rails as Jove did his thunderbolts. The rapidity with
which he has built the railroad between here and Humboldt has no parallel
in the history of railroad construction." Chetopa, KS, Advance, June 1870.
Robert C. Stevens has written a fascinating biography and inspiring story of an American businessman, legislator (Kansas State and U.S. Congressman from N.Y.), and farmer. Woven through the biographical account of Robert W. S. Stevens' life are numerous colorful stories of the American west, the railroad industry, and a great (though previously unheralded) American family.
Thunderbolt from a Clear Sky is offered at WME Books' bookstore. History buffs, biography buffs, and all readers who value a good story, will find this book a fascinating read.
Comments