History
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“Women Spies in World War II: The Women of the SOE” by Kit Sergeant
In 1942, as the free world crumbled beneath Hitler’s jackboot, Churchill’s Secret Army began recruiting women spies to infiltrate Occupied France and become part of the French Resistance. Learn about the adventures of some of the SOE’s unimaginably brave women in this multimedia presentation by Kit Sergeant, author of The Spark of Resistance. Giveaways include stickers and bookmarks.(Teens and adults; 60 min; $250 with permission to sell books)
References
Tom Hill, Warrenville Public Library District, (630) 393-1171 x107, tom@warrenville.com
Website
Contact
kitsergeant.author@gmail.com, (847) 254-0154
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NEW! “Virginia and Francis Minor: Forgotten Suffrage Pioneers” by Nicole Evelina
Virginia and Francis Minor were key early leaders in the quest for female suffrage. Virginia founded the Woman Suffrage Association of Missouri, the first organization of its kind in the country – possibly the world – and the couple were the only people to bring women’s voting and citizenship rights to the U.S. Supreme Court. Join USA Today bestselling author Nicole Evelina as she discusses the lives of these pioneers and the impact they continue having on voting rights. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $250 in-person plus travel expenses with permission to sell books, $150 virtual)
References
Ginger Brickey, Jefferson County Library, (636) 671-8186, gbrickey@jeffcolib.org; David Beaumier, Chanticleer Books and Media, dbeaumier@chantireviews.com
Website
Contact
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NEW! “My Sister’s Mother: A Memoir of War, Exile, and Stalin’s Siberia” by Donna Urbikas
Donna Urbikas, author of the award-winning memoir, My Sister’s Mother: A Memoir of War, Exile, and Stalin’s Siberia, presents her book using original vintage photos from her parents’ deportation and arrest by Stalin during World War II. Urbikas discusses Poland’s World War II history on the Eastern front bordering Belarus and Russia and how the aftermath of the war affected the next generation. She also addresses how current world developments are being repeated with Putin and Ukraine. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Older teens and adults; 60 min; $300 with permission to sell books)
References
Jim Dalbec, Ela Township Community Center, (847) 438-9160, jimd@elatownship.org; Joan Waxman, Northshore Senior Center, (847) 784-6002, jwaxman@nssc.org
Website
Contact
donna@danutaurbikas.com, (312) 343-5454
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NEW! “Who Was the Original Agent 355?” by Kit Sergeant
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence by learning about the first female spies and the pivotal roles they played in securing our nation’s freedom. Fans of Hamilton and AMC’s TURN will recognize figures like Aaron Burr, Sally Townsend, and John André in this fascinating presentation by Kit Sergeant, author of 355: The Women of Washington’s Spy Ring. Giveaways include stickers and bookmarks. (Teens and adults; 60 min; $250 with permission to sell books)
References
Tom Hill, Warrenville Public Library District, (630) 393-1171 x107, tom@warrenville.com
Website
Contact
kitsergeant.author@gmail.com, (847) 254-0154
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NEW! “Honoring the Brave: The Origins of Veterans Day” by Robert I. Girardi
Award-winning author and historian Robert I. Girardi discusses the history and evolution of Veterans Day, from its origins as Armistice Day at the end of World War I to its current form honoring all veterans. The story of this transformation spans 60 years and numerous political administrations. A similar program on Memorial Day is also available. (All ages; 60 minutes; $225 with permission to sell books)
References
Doug Dammann, Kenosha Civil War Museum, (262) 748-7952, ddammann@kenosha.org; Bill Furry, Illinois State Historical Society, (217) 525-2781, wfurry@sbcglobal.net
Website
Contact
(773) 319-3508, CvlWarGuy@aol.com
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NEW! “The Very Spirit of War: General John A. Logan” by Robert I. Girardi
Award-winning author and historian Robert I. Girardi presents the story of Illinois’ own John A Logan, the best of the Civil War political generals. A successful lawyer and politician from southern Illinois, Logan transformed from a pro-slavery Democrat to a radical Republican advocate for freedmen’s rights. He was also an inspirational force on the battlefield and a spokesman for veterans’ rights. (All ages; 60 minutes; $225 with permission to sell books)
References
Doug Dammann, Kenosha Civil War Museum, (262) 748-7952, ddammann@kenosha.org; Bill Furry, Illinois State Historical Society, (217) 525-2781, wfurry@sbcglobal.net
Website
Contact
(773) 319-3508, CvlWarGuy@aol.com
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NEW! “Reminiscing as a Baby Boomer” by Jeanne Roppolo
Join us in a groovy, psychedelic, far-out fun talk as we take a walk down Memory Lane. Audience members participate as we review our shared history, movies, music, TV shows, games, books, and fashion. (Adults; 60 min; $300 with permission to sell books)
References
Sarah Adelphia, Arlington Heights Senior Center, (847) 253-5532 x305, sadelphia@vah.com; Dina Sweet, DeKalb CUSD 428, (815) 757-8536, dina.sweet@d428.org
Website
Contact
(808) 987-4473, jeanneroppolo@yahoo.com
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NEW! “Journeying Through the Native American Indian Way of Life” by Kim Sigafus
Dressed in her native regalia, author Kim Sigafus leads a discussion on Illinois Native Americans of the 1800s and their culture. The audience will learn a song and play native instruments. Includes handouts, Q&A. (All ages; 60 min; $250 plus travel expenses and permission to sell books
References
Libby Paulson, Village of Orland Park, (708) 403-6268, epaulson@orlandpark.org; Steve Osikowicz, Barrington Area Library, (847) 382-1300 x3020
Contact
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NEW! “The Strike that Shaped the Airline Industry” by Michael Haupt
In 1932, the long-forgotten Century Airlines, headed by investor E.L. Cord, drastically slashed pilot salaries. The pilots appealed to the newly formed Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), setting off a bitter conflict with more twists than an Agatha Christie mystery. Although the strike was settled within months, its impact continues to shape the airline industry. (Adults; 60 min; $195 with permission to sell books)
Reference
Tom Cleveland, Illinois Public Airport Association, (815) 739-3100, groverdkb1@comcast.net; Carol Para, Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame; (847) 274-8115, cfifest@icloud.com
Website
Contact
aviationchicago@gmail.com, (847) 736-5812
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“An Artist Goes to War: Leon Granacki in the South Pacific World War II” by Victoria Ann Granacki
The very personal story of an ordinary Chicago soldier who used his art skills to survive war in the South Pacific. Original maps, jungle watercolors, journal illustrations, and letters home to his extended Polish-American family reveal his longing for family, shared holidays, fishing, and a woman to love. Granacki’s program may help you understand the soldiers in your own family who never spoke about their wartime experiences. (Adults; 60 min; $150 with permission to sell books)
References
Bozena Nowicka McLees, Loyola University Chicago, (773) 508-2864, bmclees@luc.edu; Ewa Barczyk, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Libraries, (414) 412-6456, ewa@uwm.edu
Website
Contact
(312) 810-1212, granacki@aol.com
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“Who Were the Ritchie Boys?” by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Starting in 1942 during the darkest days of World War II, nearly 2,500 (mostly Jewish) refugees from German-speaking countries were conscripted into the US Army. Their fluency in German and knowledge of German customs helped them become ideal intelligence professionals and POW interrogators. Trained at a highly classified program at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, then sent back to Europe, these soldiers were responsible for 60 percent of enemy troop movements on the ground. Their accomplishments are one of the least-known stories of World War II. In a fascinating one-hour presentation, thriller author Libby Fischer Hellmann, author of Max’s War: The Story of a Ritchie Boy, shares their story. (Adults; 60 min; $400 with permission to sell books)
References
Melissa Morgan, Winnetka-Northfield Library, mmorgan@winnetkalibrary.org; Robert McDonald, The Book Stall, books@thebookstall.com
Website
Contact
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“Abraham Lincoln and the Common Soldier” by Robert I. Girardi
Award-winning author and historian Robert I. Girardi presents the special relationship President Abraham Lincoln shared with the Union soldiers in the Civil War. Lincoln spent every single day of his presidency surrounded by soldiers. He interacted with them and mutual trust and devotion grew between them. Soldiers came to regard the president as Father Abraham. Girardi details how and why this occurred. (All ages; 60 min; $200 with permission to sell books)
References
Doug Dammann, Kenosha Civil War Museum, (262) 748-7952, ddammann@kenosha.org; Bill Furry, Illinois State Historical Society, (217) 525-2781, wfurry@sbcglobal.net
Website
Contact
(773) 319-3508, CvlWarGuy@aol.com
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“World War II Women Spies: Nancy Wake and Marie-Madeleine Fourcade” by Kit Sergeant
Faced with unimaginable odds, Nancy Wake (aka ‘The White Mouse’) and Marie-Madeleine Fourcade guided hundreds of French Resistance agents through the treacherous landscape of wartime France while managing to (mostly) avoid the Gestapo. Learn about the adventures of these unimaginably brave women in this multimedia presentation by Kit Sergeant, author of Marie-Madeleine and Nancy Wake. Giveaways include stickers and bookmarks. (Teens and adults; 60 min; $250 with permission to sell books)
References
Tom Hill, Warrenville Public Library District, (630) 393-1171 x107, tom@warrenville.com
Website
Contact
kitsergeant@gmail.com, (847) 254-0154
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“Music as a Cultural History: Latines in the USA and Illinois” by Catalina Maria Johnson
Catalina Maria Johnson, music journalist and host of the radio show and podcast “Beat Latino,” shares how music can be “read” and also share the cultural values, roots, and history of peoples. Survey the music and milestones from the last 150 years of Latin America-U.S. relations to understand history in a new way. Available in English or Spanish, this lively program includes video examples and great music. (Teens and Adults; 60 min; $350 plus travel expenses)
References
Colleen Springer-Lopez, Carbondale Elementary School District, cspringer@ces95.org; Micaela Harris, McLean County Museum of History, mharris@mchistory.org
Website
www.linktr.ee/catalinamariajohnson
Contact
catalinamariajohnson@gmail.com, (773) 960-8531
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“The Journey of Mollie’s War: History of Women in the Military” by Cyndee Schaffer
Learn about the history of women in the military from the beginnings of our country culminating in the narrative of the women in World War II. Cyndee Schaffer traces the footsteps of her mother and her fellow WACs who followed the soldiers stationed in Europe. Using excerpts from her mother’s letters written home, Schaffer provides a romantic yet frightful glimpse into the life of a woman in uniform during this crucial time in history – from inspiration to publication. Presentation includes WAC recruiting movie, slideshow, photos, letters, medals, and memorabilia. (Teens and adults; 60 min; $150 virtual, $250-$450 in-person with permission to sell books)
References
Jenna Astroth, Breese Public Library, (618) 526-7361, librarydirector@breeselibrary.org; Pam Rohleder, Bartlett History Museum, PRohleder@bartlettil.gov, (630) 540-5914
Website
Contact
cyndeeschaffer@gmail.com, (847) 917-4125
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“U.S.–Dakota War of 1862: A Forgotten Battle” by L. Sue Baugh
In Minnesota, August 1862, a smoldering conflict between the U.S. government and the Dakota Sioux erupted into war. The fierce battle forced President Lincoln to pull Minnesota troops from the Civil War to quell the uprising. Award-winning speaker L. Sue Baugh explains how this forgotten conflict led to the largest mass execution in U.S. history and left a bitter legacy. Given current Native American history, this story could not be more timely. (Adults; 60 min; $175)
References
Judy Eckberg, Nineteenth Century Club, (708) 386-2729, judylowe@sbcglobal.net; Jamie Gehin, Deerfield Public Library, (847) 945-3311, jgehin@deerfieldlibrary.org
Contact
sue.baughws@gmail.com, (847) 902-4973
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“The Codebreaker and the POW: A Family Saga of WWII” by L. Sue Baugh
In 1942, one of the darkest years of World War II, Baugh’s father, Lt. Charles Baugh, became a Navy codebreaker. Her grandfather, Richmond Baugh, was taken prisoner on Corregidor Island in the Philippines and spent nearly three years in a Japanese POW camp. In this gripping family saga, Baugh recounts the heroic work of military and civilian codebreakers and the brutal struggle to liberate the Philippine Islands. (Adults; 60 min; $175)
References
Annie Tillmann, Lake Villa District Library, (847) 356-7711, amtillmann@lvdl.org; Christine Fountain, Monarch Landing, (630) 300-1246, CFountain@monarchlanding.net
Contact
sue.baughws@gmail.com, (847) 902-4973
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“How Corn Changed Itself and then Changed Everything Else” by Cynthia Clampitt
About 10,000 years ago, a weedy grass in Mexico transformed itself into corn – and then transformed the Americas, even before First Contact. After First Contact, it spanned the globe and drove westward expansion in North America, building cities and inspiring innovators and entrepreneurs. Vampires, Henry Ford, time zones, Fritos, and the Chicago Bears are all part of this remarkable story. (All ages; 60 min; $175 plus travel with permission to sell books)
References
Kay Ripplemeyer-Tippy, Jackson County Historical Society, kayrip@siu.edu; Judy Bock, Geographic Society of Chicago, judyil@aol.com, (847) 223-7627
Website
Contact
caclampitt@att.net, (847) 537-7915
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“The Rule of Rum” by Cynthia Clampitt
Even if you don’t drink rum, this is worthwhile history. Learn when rum arose and where, how pirates got involved, how rum helped unite the 13 Colonies, and how it became one of the issues that sparked the American Revolution. From the Caribbean across the British Empire, from taxes to military rum rations, come discover how rum once ruled the world. Includes handout. (All ages; 60 min; $175 plus travel)
References
Judy Bock, Geographic Society of Chicago, judyil@aol.com, (847) 223-7627; Vicky Edwards, Chicago-area Mensa, AChicVic@aol.com, (630) 629-8385
Website
Contact
caclampitt@att.net, (847) 537-7915