Batavia library announces One Book, One Batavia 2015
"Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer," a riveting account of the days that followed Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865, is the One Book, One Batavia 2015 selection.
During February and March, Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., will offer a book discussion and three programs related to the book, including a presentation by the book's author, James L. Swanson. Batavia students are invited to read "Chasing Lincoln's Killer," the young adult version of "Manhunt," also written by Swanson.
Swanson will speak about "Manhunt," his Edgar Award-winning book, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St. Registration is required online at www.OneBookOneBatavia.org or call the library's Reference Desk, (630) 879-1393.
A resident of Washington, D.C., Swanson has a degree in history from the University of Chicago and a law degree from UCLA. Swanson also wrote a sequel to "Manhunt" - "Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse" and "End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy."
He has written youth versions of these books as well: "Bloody Times: The Funeral of Abraham Lincoln" and the "Manhunt for Jefferson Davis" and "The President Has Been Shot!: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy."
Swanson was born Feb. 12, Lincoln's birthday, and has collected books, documents, photographs and artifacts connected with Lincoln's life and death since he was 10 years old.
At 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, the public is invited to "The Camera and Abraham Lincoln," a New Lyceum Lecture Series program. Mark B. Pohlad, associate professor of art history at DePaul University, will discuss photography from the 1840s to the 1860s and examine the most famous images of Lincoln - how they were made, what history they illustrate and what they say about Lincoln. The program is co-sponsored by the Batavia Public Library Foundation. Registration is required.
The library's adult services manager, Stacey Peterson, will lead a discussion of "Manhunt" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the library. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library. Registration is not required for the book discussion. Participants are asked to read the book before the discussion.
"The Ghost of Mary Surratt" will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8. Storyteller Lynn Rymarz portrays Mary Surratt, the boardinghouse landlord convicted and hanged as one of the conspirators in Lincoln's assassination. Surratt's life as mother, widow, and landlord are illustrated, as well as her testimony at the military trial, the verdict, and her proclamations of innocence. Registration is required.
One Book, One Batavia is an annual communitywide reading program presented by the library and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library. This year, additional funding was provided by the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence.
This is the 13th book to be celebrated by the library with programs, authors, and guest speakers. The program was established when the library opened its newest building on Batavia Avenue.
All programs are free. To register for programs, visit OneBookOneBatavia.org, or call the library Reference Desk, (630) 879-1393, ext. 200.