Surprisingly, I’ve found that reading about other contested elections, prophecies that the United States was doomed to failure if this president or that president tookoffice, and the intense political atmosphere of other decades has been comforting, in its own strange way. These historical non-fiction titles about our country in its growing pains (literally, during westward expansion) have helped to give me a deeper understanding of our nation’s history, for better or for worse. The critical gaze these authors (and others) level at history—indeed, at helping rewrite some of the history I learned in elementary and middle school—is refreshing; at the same time, I know there is much work still to be done. However, these texts have helped me to see the events taking place today in a different kind of light, which I’ve appreciated.

And, since we’re approaching a long weekend, thanks to another (in)famous figure in our history textbooks, I’m of course on the hunt for some more books to peruse. What historical nonfiction texts have you enjoyed and learned from and why? Why do you think historical nonfiction is important in our world today?

Fun as it is, there’s a strange and sometimes unsettling combination of the real, the recreated, and the mythologized. Even though Plimoth Plantation does not shy away from the abundant horrors of life on and off the Mayflower (the dimensions of which are shockingly small), and does not represent the feast with which most Americans commemorate “the first Thanksgiving” as historically accurate, to visit this place is to see the power of narrative. Even the model Wampanoag encampment, which is staffed not by actors, but by members of the Wampanoag tribe, is a sharp reminder that history is written by the victors. Indeed, the long-serving Governor William Bradford’s history Of Plymouth Plantation is a literary record crafted with– if not myth-making—then certainly posterity in mind. That book turned out to play a surprisingly pivotal role in our national origin story. For more on this, there’s piece here by the New Yorker’s Jill Lepore, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick, and an American Experience documentary airing on PBS.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/pilgrims/player/

I came away from my visit with a renewed interest in the political and social context of the day (the 17th century was rife religious warfare), my own replica of a 17th century disease ( I’m coughing, but I’m pretty sure I don’t actually have consumption), and most of all, a renewed respect for the profound power of storytelling.

Funny that such an beloved holiday movie, one that we all grew up with, takes as its theme (if softened by animation) very adult struggles with self-doubt and seasonal blues. Don’t we all have an internal Charlie Brown…I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about...especially when we’re writing or trying to do something creative. Everything can turn into a competition – write the best manuscript, make the most important lists, get the shiniest awards – and meanwhile we’re full of self-doubt.

Oh brother…

Here’s an idea! Try to laugh off the Lucys in your life, the people barking orders, pointing out your flaws, or trying to hold you accountable to arbitrary standards that aren’t what really matters to you.

Lucy: What has Beethoven got to do with Christmas? Everyone talks about how “great” Beethoven was. Beethoven wasn’t so great.

Schroeder: What do you mean Beethoven wasn’t so great?

Lucy: He never got his picture on bubblegum cards, did he? Have you ever seen his picture on a bubblegum card? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who’s never had his picture on bubblegum cards?

Don’t worry about getting your picture on a bubble gum card! Or finding the perfect pink aluminum tree, or writing a world-changing story in a couple of days. Surround yourself with friends like Linus who will believe in your talent, give you valuable feedback, and encourage you to do work you believe in.

I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really.

Maybe it just needs a little love.

So I was tickled and a little appalled to find this hilarious piece in Time about what was expected of female authors promoting their books in the 1960s, or at least Jeanne Rejaunier, author of The Beauty Trap. The photos are so amazing and my personal favorite is the one of her in bed with her cat and her pencil under her chin making her look like a puppet on a stick. And then there’s the horses…

Let’s get real. A lot has changed (thank goodness) but looks still matter. It’s certainly not mandatory to be beautiful, but it helps! More important is the ability to network with other authors, connect and engage with fans, and produce quality work in a timely manner. Thankfully it is no longer required to take sexy photos in bed to promote your book (unless you’re Holly Madison writing about her time at the Playboy mansion, but even she has taken a less sexy approach to her story and the result is a huge bestseller!). So what works now? What gets you out to the bookstore to buy books? Reviews? Publicity? An author’s book on sale at Costco? Let us know how swayed you are by authors promoting their books.

Jeanne Rejaunier – Author – “The Beauty Trap”, with cat