So I received some interest yesterday. I contacted a publisher that specializes in local material, especially history and art. The response was positive but they are looking for a different format than what I have.
The publisher, Arcadia, does quite a bit with local history type publishing and has published a couple Joliet books already, including Marianne Wolf's history of Croatian and Slovenian immigrants. I had a chance to meet Marianne at an event at the Joliet Historical Society Museum a couple years ago and have a copy of her book.
c
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Living Modern History
One of the changing attitudes of architectural history is the view on modern structures. Many people shun historically significant structures because they lack grandeur or the romance of age.
When I moved from my 1915 row house to a 1979 tri-level, Seth was still living in his 1859 Victorian. I began some remodeling projects including removing the turned spindles above the half wall just inside the front door and began painting over the 1970's dark-stained wood trim with a nice off-white. Seth began lamenting the loss of 'historic original details' and wondering if someday a new generation of 'urban pioneers' would be battling to save downtrodden tri-levels in seedy cul-de-sacs.
That was when I started to see things a bit differently. We are all caretakers of history. The items we revere as historically significant, collectible, priceless antiques, were once new and state of the art. Then they were 'worn' or 'tired', then just plain OLD.
But as the years wore on, they became 'classic' or 'retro', even 'shabby chic' or 'resale shop cool'. Finally they became 'traditional' and 'timeless'.
Don't believe me, look at cars from 20 years ago. At the time they were uninspired and all looked alike. Now they are stylish and even beautiful. I still remember the first time I saw antique plates on a Ford Granada.
Time lends a certain credibility to even the most mudane of items. The Carnival Glass we worship was given away. I've seen entire sets of glassware collected from gas stations. Just look at Ebay!!!!
The point is, if we don't care for things, homes or places now, who will know they were ever here. It is the responsibility of each of us to preserve things of value from the present that they may become the past of tomorrow.
c
When I moved from my 1915 row house to a 1979 tri-level, Seth was still living in his 1859 Victorian. I began some remodeling projects including removing the turned spindles above the half wall just inside the front door and began painting over the 1970's dark-stained wood trim with a nice off-white. Seth began lamenting the loss of 'historic original details' and wondering if someday a new generation of 'urban pioneers' would be battling to save downtrodden tri-levels in seedy cul-de-sacs.
That was when I started to see things a bit differently. We are all caretakers of history. The items we revere as historically significant, collectible, priceless antiques, were once new and state of the art. Then they were 'worn' or 'tired', then just plain OLD.
But as the years wore on, they became 'classic' or 'retro', even 'shabby chic' or 'resale shop cool'. Finally they became 'traditional' and 'timeless'.
Don't believe me, look at cars from 20 years ago. At the time they were uninspired and all looked alike. Now they are stylish and even beautiful. I still remember the first time I saw antique plates on a Ford Granada.
Time lends a certain credibility to even the most mudane of items. The Carnival Glass we worship was given away. I've seen entire sets of glassware collected from gas stations. Just look at Ebay!!!!
The point is, if we don't care for things, homes or places now, who will know they were ever here. It is the responsibility of each of us to preserve things of value from the present that they may become the past of tomorrow.
c
Monday, October 19, 2009
The trouble with Editing
Seth was a painstakingly patient researcher. He did not miss many details, noting subtleties such as whose property abutted whose and when people had more than one address etc. He was not quite so gifted as a writer. His questionable grammatical skills were even called out by his editor in an editorial after his death.
As the person responsible for editing the articles for presentation in the book, I have struggled with keeping his writing as true to his voice as possible and cleaning up the grammar, editorial quips and other issues which plagued his first book and the original articles. What I have tried to do is make these articles as readable as possible without intruding on his distinctive voice and narrative.
Those who attended his lectures, bicycle tours, walking tours or just sat around a campfire sharing stories, no doubt will recognize his inimitable syntax. Many people write the way they speak and Seth was one of those people. I have taken a certain amount of comfort in reading these articles and listening to the memories of his vocal exuberance. Every once in a while I can close my eyes and see his hands gesturing, fingers twisting in excitement.
The spelling I correct, some of the current details are no longer current and I'll deal with those as I must. These articles and books are a snapshot in time after all. But the voice will remain true.
c
As the person responsible for editing the articles for presentation in the book, I have struggled with keeping his writing as true to his voice as possible and cleaning up the grammar, editorial quips and other issues which plagued his first book and the original articles. What I have tried to do is make these articles as readable as possible without intruding on his distinctive voice and narrative.
Those who attended his lectures, bicycle tours, walking tours or just sat around a campfire sharing stories, no doubt will recognize his inimitable syntax. Many people write the way they speak and Seth was one of those people. I have taken a certain amount of comfort in reading these articles and listening to the memories of his vocal exuberance. Every once in a while I can close my eyes and see his hands gesturing, fingers twisting in excitement.
The spelling I correct, some of the current details are no longer current and I'll deal with those as I must. These articles and books are a snapshot in time after all. But the voice will remain true.
c
Friday, October 16, 2009
NEW BOOK UPDATE
Well we're off and running on Historic Impressions Volume II. The first draft is being tweaked and cover design is nearly complete. A list of follow-ups is being developed and things are taking shape. Dare I say you could have this for the Christmas gift-giving season???
Stay tuned....
Stay tuned....
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Welcome to the Historic Impressions blog. This is for updates concerning the upcoming book featuring the writings of Seth Magosky, noted historian and Civil War re-enactor.
Having found a new Publish on Demand (POD) publisher, final editing is under way.
Historic Impressions Volume II will complete the collection of every newspaper article Seth wrote prior to his untimely death in 2007.
Historic Impressions Volume I is available through Trafford Publishing. Volume II will be available through Lulu. Both links to be available soon.
Having found a new Publish on Demand (POD) publisher, final editing is under way.
Historic Impressions Volume II will complete the collection of every newspaper article Seth wrote prior to his untimely death in 2007.
Historic Impressions Volume I is available through Trafford Publishing. Volume II will be available through Lulu. Both links to be available soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)