New Release: Phyllis Wheatley: Slave and Poet

Phyllis Wheatley holds a special place in American history.  She was one of the first American women to publish poetry and was the first Black American woman to achieve this success in the literary world.  Phyllis was fortunate to have been purchased by John Wheatley, a Boston businessman, to serve as a companion to his wife.  Mrs. Wheatley encouraged Phyllis to learn to read and write and later assisted her in her efforts to publish her poetry.  The result was that Phyllis was celebrated in England as well as America, having at one point been invited to meet General George Washington.  Despite the support for Phyllis, however, the Wheatleys were not abolitionists.  She remained a slave until Mrs. Wheatley's death and was then freed, but given no assistance at becoming self-sufficient.  Her celebrated life as a poet did nothing to prepare her for freedom, and Phyllis Wheatley married poorly and then died alone with nothing more than passing notice in a Boston obituary.

Most of Gerald Morton's  previous publishing has been of a scholarly bent.  With Moonshine and Madness: An Appalachian Rhapsody, his writing career has taken a new turn, one which has allowed him to explore both his own heritage in Appalachia as well as the rich culture which now surrounds him.  The novel celebrates the independent spirit of the people of the North Carolina mountains and the rich culture which they have built, a culture characterized by faith, passion, and devotion to family.  Although a fictional account, the novel draws from many actual events. It's most distinctive truths, however, are those which record the unique character of a grand and noble people.

The Darnians and the Prevarians, two ancient races locked in centuries of war, have finally reached a period of peace as the respective kings have pledged their lives to harmony.  Each king has an heir, and their union will bring about one nation free of war.  Once wed, the couple will be given a sword whose magic will usher in an age of prosperity.  But when one of the kings is assassinated, the peace is threatened.  And the marauding bands of nomads in the nearby desert grow more and more daring.  Once thought gone forever, the Age of Magic appears to be returning, with the sightings of the mythical monsters of old along the border.  As both kingdoms begin to crumble and fall back into warring clans, the sword appears to be the only thing that can prevent the world from plunging into total chaos.

Wrestling to Rasslin traces the roots of one of man’s oldest competitive sports.  Beginning in sporting bars in the late 1800’s and graduating to Barnum sideshow tents, wrestling has thrilled the world over with such early athletes as William Muldoon, George Hackenschmidt, and Tom Jenkins.  After World War II and the advent of television, wrestling took a turn toward the dramatic, emphasizing conflicts between good and evil.

The great myths of western culture have captured the imaginations of generation upon generation of our ancestors.  Some of these stories date back thousands   of years to ancient Greece.  One reason they continue    to captivate is that they contain timeless truths, lessons   for living that their protagonists often had to learn the  hard way. 

Much to consider will be found in this small volume. The reader may see, for example, that each myth contains lessons that have a common thread.  In its own way, each tells us what must be done if we are to grow, to fulfill our potential, "to follow our bliss," as the great student and teacher of mythology, Joseph Campbell, often said.  Moments of sacrifice are inevitably reached as we journey through life.  We must decide, the myths tell us, what we hold most dear and be willing to forego that which prevents us from achieving genuine fulfillment, no matter how great a value we place on what must be given up.

"Mirtac said that our destiny was to be together, not because of what our fathers agreed, but because of a greater power than theirs.  I know only one greater power."

"And that is?" Fergus asked.

"Love," the Queen replied, .....

From Sword of Two Kings