The Sangamo Frontier

The University of Chicago Press has just come out with Robert Mazrim's new book on antebellum central Illinois archeaology entitled, The Sangamo Frontier: History & Archaeology in the Shadow of Lincoln.

First off, I admit, I plugging the book because the publisher sent me not one, but two review copies in separate priority mail packages. I guess some how they knew that one was going to arrive damaged so they just sent a second to be sure I received one.

Actually, what's interesting is that I already bought the book last week. I can't really tell you right now how good is the book, but I have to give credit to Isaac Tobin who designed the book and cover.

Its strange color scheme and cover layout which is both tasteful but somewhat contrary to the normal rules of design works well. It grabbed my attention so I picked it up off the shelf.

As to the content, I have not started reading it from front to back yet. Instead, I've been flipping through the pages and checking out names I recognize from the index.

One of those names is Ninian Edwards, Illinois's territorial governor at the time he led militia troops into central Illinois during the War of 1812. The trail he followed became known as the Edwards Trace.

In my own research into the Old Slave House outside Equality, Illinois, Edwards shows up quite often. He owned the indentures of the Adams family whom John Crenshaw later kidnapped. Maria Adams served as the governor's cook and semptress. It was my interest in the current architectural research into the Old Slave House and next year's archaeological research already planned there that caused me to buy the book as it focuses on an Illinois community of the 1840s, the first decade Crenshaw lived in the house.

[Note to the editors, there's a typo in the index for Edwards. It lists info on him from pages 131-13. It should be 131-134.]

Most archaeology written about in Illinois seems to focus almost entirely on the prehistoric era, which is understandable. That's an era for which archaeologists don't compete with historians for the glory. Plus arrowheads have always attracted more interest than an early settler's refuse.

To study the archaeology of a 19th Century site also requires the skills of a historian. When both sides work together well the results can be impressive.

From what little I've seen so far Mazrim also displays possession of a third skill set. He's a writer and an engaging story teller, and that's something important when you're trying to make pottery shards interesting.

The titled settlement Sangamo Town itself is like New Salem, Illinois. It represents a frontier settlement that developed then disappeared all inside one generation. Unlike New Salem, Lincoln never lived there so no one thought to rebuild the settlement in the 20th Century.

I'll add more after I've read it, but for now I'd say it's a definite buy for anyone interested in the antebellum social history of Illinois.

Candidate Sells Her Soul (Story?!)

"Attorney and Former GOP Congressional Candidate Suffers 'Crisis' and Places Identity Up for Sale on eBay," so screamed the headline of the political mailer I received earlier this week.

No, it wasn't an attack ad, it came from the candidate herself, Erin Zweigert who formerly ran against Jerry Costello in the 12th Congressional District here in Southern Illinois.

Actually, Zweigert isn't selling her identity, but she's selling her new book, "Identity Crisis" which if I'm not mistaken features two pictures of her on the cover. The former candidate selling her identity is the fictional Courtney Alexander whom if obviously based on Zweigert.

I've been told that most writers starting fiction tend to make their first work somewhat autobiographical, Zweigert seems to fit the mold making the most out of her story.

I look forward to reading it. Erin's taking pre-orders on eBay. Search for "Attorney's Identity for Sale".

New Address for a Stroll Through Egypt

Just received an order for my new book, "The Bloody Vendetta of Southern Illinois" from Ernie Heltsley, author of "A Stroll through Egypt & Paradise" which recalls his family's journey through the coal fields of Southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

He's recently moved and anyone wanting to order directly from him should send a check for $28 plus $3 postage and handling to Ernie Heltsley, 445 N Wilmot Rd Apt 238, Tucson AZ 85711.

Ernie's tried to tell not just his family's personal story, but how that story fits into the larger history of the region from the coal mine disasters to the days of Charlie Birger.

Former King City Writer to Sign Books Saturday

April Toler writes today in the Mount Vernon Register-News about Ellen Newton Driscoll's newest book, "The Dragons of Candlewood".

MT. VERNON — Former resident Ellen Newton Driscoll enjoys traveling from her Texas home to the King City to visit family and this weekend, during a trip to spend time with her great-aunt, Driscoll will be doing more than chatting with the family; she will be signing copies of her first book.

“The Dragons of Candlewood,” is the first of a series of books Driscoll is writing and she will be signing copies of her first novel Saturday at B Dalton book store in the Time Square Mall. The books are being published by Wordwright International.

The novel centers around the kingdom of Candlewood and the dragons the people of Candlewood raise to protect their kingdom and themselves. Driscoll said the dragons each have distinct personalities just like the five royal children who inhabit Candlewood.

The event is Saturday, but no time is given.

Next Heartland Murder Ready for Fall

The next installment in former Williamson County Sheriff Harry Spiller's popular Murder in the Heartland series is at the printers and should be out at the end of September or early October.

This will be his third and possibly last book in this series that have focused on the region's late 20th Century murders. I talked with him today and he's ready to focus on something a bit more upbeat.

Still, don't expect "The Detective's Poetry Beat" to hit shelves anytime soon.

O'Shea Sets Book Signing at Cata's

Bill O'Shea will be doing a book signing for "The Advocate" on Saturday August 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at Cata's Books in West Frankfort.

All proceeds (both the store's and the author's) will go to benefit the new Women/Children's center here in West Frankfort.

'The Advocate' Focuses on the Child

Bill O'Shea's second novel has just come out. Titled, "The Advoate", O'Shea relies on his experience as a Chicago cop and a private investigator to flesh out the character of Lt. Diego Santucci as he searches for a serial killer to targets sex offenders.

"It’s about a police lieutenant, with a dubious background, who learns what terrors befall our children when they are preyed upon by monsters," explains O'Shea in his press materials. "Along the way he meets a five year-old who is already an adult in many ways and a headstrong DCFS supervisor who has her own agenda."

While taking his detective drama to the limit, O'Shea, who also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, also pushes his agenda of promoting child advocacy focusing "on fostering, adoption, CASA and raising awareness of children’s problems."

O'Shea is donating his proceeds from the $19.95 book to area children's advocacy programs. The book is available online at AuthorHouse.com, and should be at Amazon.com shortly. It's available locally at Cata's Books in the VF Outlet Mall in West Frankfort and The Buzz on the square in Benton.

As a special note, Candice Lahr, owner of Cata's Books, is also donating her proceeds from sales of the book to child advocacy programs.

O'Shea also wrote "The Foot Post" which is a novel based on some of his own experiences as a foot patrol officer for the Chicago Police Department.

Illinois Writers Blog Debuts

Hello,

Welcome to the Illinois Writers Blog designed to cover both Illinois-based authors as well as authors from elsewhere who write about Illinois.

I am the owner of IllinoisHistory.com, a small publisher which focuses on Illinois and area history based in Marion, Illinois. My books include "Slaves, Salt, Sex & Mr. Crenshaw, the Real History of the Old Slave House and America's Reverse Underground R.R." and the upcoming "Bloody Vendetta of Southern Illinois" which is an updated and expanded version of Milo Erwin's 1876 account of the Vendetta.

I'm also a member of a Southern Illinois Writers Guild which meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month at John A. Logan College in Carterville between Marion and Carbondale, and the Independent Book Publishers Association.