Little Known Historical Figures: Sarah J. Hale

The audio version of this article was first shared in A Bookchat about Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen & a Review of Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund.

Sarah Josepha Hale painted by James Reid Lambdin (1807-1889) – Richard’s Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire

Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879) was the daughter of a Revolutionary War officer and a native of Newport, New Hampshire. She was born to Captain Gordon Buell and Martha Whittlesay Buell who believed in equal education for their daughter.

Once she was grown, she married and had 5 children, but in 1822 her husband died. After that, she opened a milliner’s shop but writing was her passion.

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A Bookchat about The Hidden Prince with Tessa Afshar & a Review of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

Tessa Afshar joins us for a chat about biblical fiction, ancient history, and her latest release The Hidden Prince. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, Michelle Griep joins us to share 3 Types of Victorian Travel. You might guess that the “penny-farthing” got its name from the cost of fare, but it has to do with the size of the coins. (Full post here.) Her book The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane shows some of these transportation methods in action!

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Christie K. “In The Lost Melody, Politano creates another fantastic story with an undercurrent of foreboding, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a forbidden romance, and a heroine who is determined to find her path through it all.” (Full review here.)

 Connect with Tessa: Newsletter (scroll down), Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The audio version of this review was first shared in A Bookchat about The Hidden Prince with Tessa Afshar & a Review of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Book

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant’s father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman’s portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.

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A Bookchat about The Blackout Bookclub with Amy Lynn Green & a Review of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

Amy Lynn Green joins us for a chat about the radio stars, book clubs, and her latest release  The Blackout Bookclub. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at jobs people took to keep themselves out of the poorhouse. Did you know the origin of our term “sweatshop” was the 18th-century slop shop? (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Beth Bulow. “If you’re in the mood for a bold, eye-opening, and impactful coming of age tale based on true events in history – one that honors and validates those impacted – Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright should be your next read.” (Full review here.)

Connect with Amy: Newsletter (scroll down), Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Keeping out of the Poorhouse

The audio version of this article was first shared in Episode 48: A Bookchat about The Blackout Bookclub with Amy Lynn Green & a Review of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

Homeless men coming for shelter in 19th century London. (Credit: Mansell/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Anyone slightly familiar with British and American history has heard of the infamous poorhouse or workhouse. These municipal institutions generally provided the barest possible food and shelter to the elderly, disabled, and very poor, in exchange for whatever work the person could provide. They were designed to make poverty as unbearable as possible in an effort to keep people working rather than relying on the poorhouse.

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Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 48: A Bookchat about The Blackout Bookclub with Amy Lynn Green & a Review of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

THE BOOK

Sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornada del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when World War II begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.

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A Bookchat about Caesar’s Lord with Bryan Litfin & a Review of Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark.                                   

Bryan Litfin joins us for a chat about Constantine’s empire, the early Church, writing, and his latest release Caesar’s Lord. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at some strange medical practices, one of which dates back to 6500 B.C. A treatment for headaches, head wounds, and madness, trepanning was not for the faint of heart. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Angela Bell. “If you love southern fiction and nuanced dual time stories, Paint and Nectar is sure to be your cup of tea!” (Full review here.)

Connect with Bryan: Blog, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Strange Medical Practices

The audio version of this article was first shared in Episode 47: A Bookchat about Caesar’s Lord with Bryan Litfin & a Review of Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark

The practice of medicine is a fascinating–and sometimes disturbing–subject of history. Today we look at just a few weird practices people hoped would cure them of illness and injury.

Trepanning

Trephine drills illustrated in Ambrose Parey, The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey. Published London, 1634.

What would you imagine to be the surgery found earliest in the archeological record?

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Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark       

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 47: A Bookchat about Caesar’s Lord with Bryan Litfin & a Review of Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark

THE BOOK

In 1929, a spark forms between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William’s passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he’s keeping . . . but setting things right will come at a cost.

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The Hidden Prince  by Tessa Afshar

The audio version of this Pinch of the Past was first shared in Episode 46: A Bookchat about The Secrets of Emberwild with Stephenia McGee & a Review of The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar

THE BOOK

The audio version of this review was first shared in [editor will complete]

From the bestselling author of Jewel of the Nile comes the thrilling tale of a woman who feels she has no future but soon discovers the fate of nations may rest in her hands.

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