Review in the New London Day



John Ruddy of the New London Day has given me a very positive review. He could have mentioned that "Homegrown Terror" is similar or nearly identical to the term the people of the time used, "parricide," in order to show that I wasn't just pulling that concept from a hat. But otherwise this is a perfect reading of my book, with a complete understanding of what I was trying to do. The article was later picked up by Stars and Stripes and a couple other sites.

Literary Lion in Connecticut


From Nutmeg Chatter:

It is fair to say there’s a true love affair between Professor Eric D. Lehman and the nutmeg state. When he arrived from Pennsylvania two decades ago, Lehman began to hike and discovered Connecticut’s little hills, rivers and forests. He soon fell in love with the museums and the wine trail and most importantly, fell in love with and married his wife, poet and professor Amy Nawrocki. His literary work celebrates our state like no other author, taking on the topics from Tom Thumb to The History of Bridgeport to A History of Connecticut Wine and so much more.  In his recent work, Lehman takes on the legacy of our nation’s most notorious traitor, Benedict Arnold, in Homegrown Terror: Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London.

Professor Lehman chose Benedict Arnold as his subject because his first experience learning about the figure failed to answer the questions he felt…

Read the rest at Nutmeg Chatter.

R.J. Julia's for Homegrown Terror


 
I enjoyed the release party for Homegrown Terror: Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London at R.J. Julia's this week. The room was packed, and I sold a lot of books for them. While there, I asked about getting my photo up on the wall (since I have been there four times now) and was told that they don't do that any more. But I was encouraged to bring my own photo next time and just kind of put it up somewhere. I might just do that!


Monte Cristo Bookshop


Seriously, who are the wonderful people OPENING independent bookstores these days? A rare and noble breed.


In this case, the Monte Cristo Bookshop in New London sells both new and used books, and has a great selection of local titles, as well! They are named for Eugene O'Neill's homestead, which is about a mile away and worth a stop this summer.

Surprise New London


Driving around New London the other day, I happened across this lovely 19th century street, preserved as a historic district. I had completely missed it last summer and all the other times I've been to New London. These sorts of little gems are so prevalent in Connecticut that it is easy to take them for granted. Whoever you are who lives on this awesome street, I hope you feel the history seeping into your feet every time you come home.