Today in History: 1995 -- Comet Hale-Bopp is Discovered

On this day, July 23, in 1995, astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp discovered Comet Hale-Bopp. The comet became visible to the naked eye one year after its discovery, increasing in brightness through late 1996 and into 1997. It is arguably the most widely observed comet of the twentieth century and one of the brightest seen in decades. It was visible to the naked eye for 18 months and came to be known as the Great Comet of 1997.

Read more about comets in Astronomy For Beginners, our graphic non-fiction title that answers many mysteries of the universe in terms that are readable and fun.

First Review of FDR and the New Deal!

FDR and the New Deal For Beginners is out and receiving positive reviews. The first review has been published on the People's World website. Reviewer John Pietaro says of the book:

"Agitated by radical visions of generations past and the urgent needs of right now, FDR and the New Deal For Beginners speaks to us in a gripping prose that is at once familiar and startlingly relevant, right here, right now."

Read the full review here.

FDR and the New Deal For Beginners is on sale now at RandomHouse.com in both trade paper back and e-book.

But if you want a copy for free, try winning one in our Facebook giveaway. Just friend us (ForBeginners Series) on Facebook and RSVP to the event GIVEAWAY: FDR And The New Deal For Beginners - Now Available

For Beginners Vault: 2007 S.E. Anderson Interview

What is the Black Holocaust? S.E. Anderson describes it as the most under-reported major event in world history. Starting near the beginning of the African Slave Trade (c. 1500) and continuing on through the civil war (1865), the Black Holocaust is a travesty that killed millions of African human beings and a near fatal event for Africa. Watch this interview with S.E. Anderson, the undisputed authority on the Black Holocaust, civil rights activist, and author of Black Holocaust For Beginners, to learn more and check out Black Holocaust For Beginners.

Part I



Part II

Reinventing The Book Club

Books and Bars is at the top of bookselling innovation. The forum-style, stand up comedy laced book club was formed in 2004 as a way to revitalize an independent bookstore that had gone under. Moderator/comedian Jeff Kamin leads the discussions which are held in a small auditorium behind a bowling alley that is usually filled to the legal limit within fifteen minutes of the doors opening. The discussions often include Q&As with the authors who attend via online video chat, comedy routines, and forum style discussion.

The Books and Bars book club has become immensely popular and successful in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, receiving virtually no aid from large, commercial sponsors (Books and Bars was sponsored by the Onion until recently, now its sole sponsors are three local, independently owned businesses: Surly Brewing Co. which provides drinks to the club meetings, Bryant-Lake Bowl which provides the venue, and Mager & Quinn Booksellers, the largest independent bookseller in the Twin Cities).

Utilizing fairly new and innovative marketing, advertising, and sales techniques such as the "#Booksandbars Tweetup" on Twitter, a blog that outlines past discussions, and the self sufficient partnership between Books and Bars and Mager & Quinn booksellers that brings in large revenues for both, Books and Bars is an inspiration to independent business everywhere. Read the article from the Examiner about Books and Bars and check out Books and Bars' website and blog.

Farewell Harvey Pekar

Yesterday we had to say farewell to a truly incredible man. Harvey Pekar was found dead by his wife, Joyce Brabner, at around 1:00 am in their home.

Pekar was the creator of the critically acclaimed "American Splendor" comic book series, an autobiographical series that chronicled the comical monotony of every-day life, as well as several other graphic novels and one-shot comics. American Splendor began in 1976 out of the collaboration between Pekar and his friend Robert Crumb, the first of many to illustrate Pekar's stories. From there, the series gained increasing recognition and fame, eventually being picked up by Dark Horse and DC Comics, and was compiled into vastly popular trade paperbacks.

Pekar once said of his series, "The humor of everyday life is way funnier than what the comedians do on TV. It's the stuff that happens right in front of your face when there's no routine and everything is unexpected. That's what I want to write about."

We are so honored to have been given the opportunity to work with Mr. Pekar, he was an amazing writer and innovator, an inspiration to all of us here at For Beginners, and a truly magnanimous human being. RIP Harvey Pekar.

Read the obituary that was published in the Plain Dealer, Pekar's home town newspaper, here.

The Contest Winner Is Official! Congratulations Julia Zay!!!

We have just received confirmation from our randomly selected winner for our FDR and The New Deal For Beginners Giveaway! Her name is Julia Zay, she's from Olympia, WA, and she's about to receive a free, advance copy of our brand new title, FDR And The New Deal For Beginners. Let's give Julia a round of applause and make sure to check out FDR and The New Deal For Beginners at Random House or Facebook.

Poetry: Front & Center

In a world where it seems like there’s one bit of bad news after another, it’s truly wonderful to know that poetry is still valued by the government & citizens of our nation. This week a new US Poet Laureate was named, W. S. Merwin, 82, of Hawaii. NPR has an interview with him and The New York Times covered his appointment on its’ front page. Nice to see Poetry front & center for a change.

If you listen to the NPR interview you will hear him read his poem, “Separation,” but I just can’t wait to share it, so here it is!

Separation

Your absence has gone through me
like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128245738
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/books/01poet.html