January

2009

Noteworthy Events    Pelican in Pages  Author Appearances  Awards   Quotes from the Media  
Endorsement Quotes

Noteworthy Events

An Inaugural Invitation

The famed Tuskegee Airmen have been invited to the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20. The all-black force of elite World War II pilots had a part in changing history. Their bravery helped persuade Pres. Harry S. Truman to desegregate the military in 1948. Pelican has published three books about this noteworthy group: Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen ($24.00), for adults; Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes ($14.95), for eight to twelve year olds; and The Tuskegee Airmen Story ($15.95), a picture book for kids ages five to eight. Lynn M. Homan and Thomas Reilly are the authors of all three titles.

Awards


Cooking With the Uglesiches
(
$24.95), by John Uglesich, received the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Prize for best local cuisine in the United States. The Southern Food and Beverage Museum received the donation of a large pot from former owners Anthony and Gail Uglesich. Used to fry seafood in the restaurant for more than eighty years, 
it has finally been retired.

A Note From the Staff

Pelican Titles Going Fast

"Despite gloom and doom pronouncements about the state of the economy, many of our titles, have met with great success this fall. We’ve had sellouts of two books tied to the holiday season: Christmas Stories from the South’s Best Writers ($15.95) and The Donkeys’ Tales ($15.95), about the birth and early life of Jesus. Backed by author Vincenza Scarpaci’s extensive tour throughout the Northeast, The Journey of the Italians in America ($35.00) sold out very quickly and has a reprint already on the way. Walking On: A Daughter’s Journey with Legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser ($23.00), penned by Dwana Pusser, daughter of the legendary sheriff, . . . has been another huge success. And it’s not just the new books: New Orleans Classic Desserts ($15.95), which has been a hot seller for months, has been selected as an alternate of the Good Cook Book Club™ and is enjoying a great sales boost as a result. A fifth printing has been ordered."

—Joseph Billingsley, sales manager

Christmas Stories from the South’s Best Writers ($15.95), edited by Charline R. McCord and Judy H. Tucker.

An unforgettable collection of holiday reflections, this compilation of short stories includes works from critically acclaimed authors, including Guggenheim Fellow Elizabeth Spencer and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler.

The Journey of the Italians in America ($35.00), by Vincenza Scarpaci.

"Vincenza is just amazing. Despite the setback of a fall, a broken arm, and emergency surgery that cut short her national tour in November, this feisty Italian scholar continues to make her own journey across America promoting her book, which is already in its second printing. Since October, Vincenza has given dozens of presentations and autographings in more than seven states, and throughout January, she’ll be making her way through California. In her free time, she updates her Web site, networks, and ferrets out new leads. I have yet to figure out her secret for getting enough sleep and staying chipper."

—Katie Szadziewicz, promotion associate

The Donkeys’ Tales ($15.95), by Adele Bibb Colvin, illustrated by Peyton Hamilton Carmichael.

Fans of The Donkeys’ Tales will be delighted with the author’s second book coming out this month. Colvin’s The Donkey’s Easter Tale ($15.95) recounts the miracles of Holy Week as told by the donkey that remained at Jesus’ side the entire time.

Walking On: A Daughter’s Journey with Legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser ($23.00), 
by Dwana Pusser with Ken Beck and Jim Clark.

Sheriff Pusser was made famous by a movie in recent years starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The popular actor thought, "It was an honor for [him] to have captured the spirit of Buford Pusser while filming Walking Tall." The book will be reprinted in plenty of time for the Buford Pusser Festival in May. The annual festival, going into its twenty-first year, is held at Buford Pusser Park in Adamsville, Tennessee.

New Orleans Classic Desserts ($15.95), by Kit Wohl.

This title, the first in Pelican’s Classic Recipes Series, debuted in 2007. Since then, several other books have been added to the series. Wohl’s latest contribution, New Orleans Classic Gumbos and Soups ($15.95), out this month, is a Gourmet Cookbook Club Selection.

 

Praise for Pelican Titles

The Rope ($15.95), by Joe Kulka.

"A charming tale, brought [to] life with brilliantly exuberant (but not excessively exaggerated) artwork."

 —Midwest Book Review


Soft Targets: A Woman’s Guide to Survival ($16.95 pb), by Michael Varnado.

"This book is a ‘necessary read’ for women, and an asset in classes that focus on family life; self-defense (especially for women); and crime." 

—Lane Education Service District

Endorsement Quotes

Free, Sovereign, and Independent States: The Intended Meaning of the American Constitution ($29.95), 
by John Remington Graham.

"This work is an epic produced by amazing intellectual energy. It will be of unique present interest and a wonderful gift to posterity."

—Hon. John P. Flaherty, associate justice (1979-1996), chief justice (1996-2001), Supreme Court of Pennsylvania


Jack Hinson’s One-Man War ($25.95), by Tom C. McKenney.

"Tom McKenney makes a major contribution to yet another dimension of our Civil War. Tennessee civilian-warrior Jack Hinson single-handedly fought a personal vendetta for home and family against Union forces of oppression and persecution. Whether he is perceived as patriot, freedom fighter, or terrorist, one cannot fail to be enthralled by his personal story, uncovered by McKenney in the best tradition of painstaking research and told with a flair for local history superimposed on the big screen of military occupation and strife. McKenney’s study is an absolute ‘must’ for students of the Civil War in Tennessee."

—B. F. Cooling, author, Forts Henry and Donelson and Fort Donelson’s Legacy


Cookies to Die For! ($26.95), by Bev Shaffer.

"What food brings a smile to a face more than cookies? Pass the milk; I can’t wait to dig in."

—Michael Symon, Food Network Iron Chef and owner of Lola and Lolita restaurants

"Fresh from the oven and rich with tradition, fail-proof recipes for time-honored classics as well as new favorites are joyfully presented. I know that Bev’s thoughtful approach to baking will help you liven up the cookie jar with delectable treats that will both comfort and inspire you."

—Ken Rubin, CCP, culinary anthropologist, consultant, and writer 


Finn McCool’s Football Club: The Birth, Death, and Resurrection of a Pub Soccer Team in the City of the Dead ($24.95), by Stephen Rea.

"An uplifting account of friendship, football, and overcoming the odds in the face of tragedy. Stephen Rea has scored an impressive winner."

—Derek Rae, senior UEFA Champions League commentator, ESPN

"Finn McCool’s Football Club is a must-read for soccer fans. The grit and determination displayed by these lads in the face of disaster is amazing. Their spirit and never-say-die attitude is captivating. When the history of soccer is written in the U.S., I hope the players, management, and fans of the Finn McCool’s club will get proper recognition for the major role they were able to play in promoting ‘the Beautiful Game.’"

—Tommy Smyth, "the Auld Onion Bag Man," ESPN commentator


François Coty: Fragrance, Power, Money ($35.00), by Roulhac B. Toledano and Elizabeth Z. Coty.

"‘Perfume ruled the world’ could be the subtitle of this fascinating study of François Coty. Coty not only created fragrances and became one of the world’s richest individuals and lived the high life, he also entered the political arena owning one of France’s most popular newspapers from which he editorialized his causes. Well written and researched, this book demonstrates how power can corrupt and yet create great beauty."

—Richard Guy Wilson, commonwealth professor, architectural history, University of Virginia


The Cajun Cornbread Boy ($15.95), by Dianne de Las Casas, illustrated by Marita Gentry.

"Just enough French phrases are used to give a sense of the Cajun dialect, without making the story difficult for non-Cajuns to read. The appended recipe and glossary are a nice touch. This lively story will be enjoyed by children everywhere."

—Gale K. Criswell, retired Children’s Services Consultant of the State Library of Louisiana

"An old tale sprouts legs and takes off, enlivened by a dash of Cajun flavor. Catch it if you can!"

—Aaron Shepard, author of The Legend of Lightning Larry


The Oklahoma Land Run ($15.95), by Una Belle Townsend, illustrated by Emile Henriquez.

"What an accomplishment it is that Una Belle Townsend can convey the Oklahoma land run in a way that is able to be understood and enjoyed by children and adults alike. [It] is an exciting story with lovable characters. I know my family and I will enjoy this book for years to come."

—Oklahoma state representative Colby Schwartz

Pelican in Pages


Savannah Magazine
is featuring a review of Lydia Ramsey’s Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits ($23.00) in the book page of their January/February issue.


The Saturday Evening Post will be publishing an essay by Rose Mula, "Don’t Mess With Mother Nature," in their January/February issue. Rose Mula is the author of If These Are Laugh Lines, I’m Having Way Too Much Fun ($12.95 pb).


Jeff Dwyer
, author of the Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Seattle and Puget Sound ($15.95 pb), will be interviewed by Vaishali on Contact Talk Radio on Friday, January 30 at 1:00 pm pst. The one-hour interview can be heard online at www.contacttalkradio.com, on Seattle 106.9 FM HD Channel 3, or on your cell phone by calling 704-631-4060.

Author Appearances

Vincenza Scarpaci, author of The Journey of the Italians in America ($35.00).

January 23 (Fri.): Italian Heritage Society of San José, 10486 Anderson Rd., San José, CA 95127; lecture and signing, cocktails and reception

January 24 (Sat.), 2:00 pm: Willow Glen Branch Library, 1157 Minnesota Ave., San José, CA 95125; lecture and signing

January 26 (Mon.), 3:00-5:00 pm: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192; lecture and signing

January 29 (Tues.), 7:00 pm: Readers’ Books, 130 East Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476; signing

Johnette Downing, author and illustrator of My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane ($15.95).

January 3 (Sat.), 11:00 am-1:00 pm: Hudson News Store, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Kenner, LA; signing

For more information on author signings and appearances please visit our Upcoming Events Schedule at http://www.pelicanpub.com/events.asp.

If you are a member of the media and are interested in receiving a review copy or booking a guest,
contact the Promotion Department at 504-368-1175 or
promo@pelicanpub.com.

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