Books-Sandwiched-In With Joe O'Toole

Our Friends group has a treat in store for you, as Books-Sandwiched-In starts up for the fall!  On September 19th, Joe O'Toole, Director of the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum - and facilitator of our upcoming Adult Reading and Discussion Series "Famous American Authors' Less Famous Books" - will present "Herman Melville:  His Life and His Works," sharing information about this great American author.

Melville is best known for writing what is considered to be one of the greatest American novels: Moby-Dick.  Many people are familiar with the famous opening line:  "Call me Ishmael."  But beyond that, few people know about the man behind the story.  For instance, during his lifetime, Melville's first and most popular novel was Typee, the story of a sailor held captive by a native tribe on a South Pacific island.  The novel was based on Melville's personal experiences, and because of this book's popularity, he was known as "the man who lived among the cannibals."

Melville went on write many books, including a novel of the American Revolution; short fiction, which was serialized in magazines of the day; and even poetry.  He pursued various occupations throughout his life, including schoolteacher, sailor, gentleman farmer, and customs inspector; he was friends with author Nathaniel Hawthorne; he suffered many family tragedies; and, sadly, he was never financially successful as a writer.

Join us at noon on the 19th to hear more about this fascinating author.  (And sign up now to reserve your spot for our "Famous American Authors' Less Famous Books," funded by a Humanities New York grant, and supported by our generous Friends group!)