Wordy Birds

An African Republic:

Black and White Virginians

in the Making of Liberia

Original airdate: February 15, 2008

It’s Black History month and the Library of Virginia brought in Liberia scholar Marie Tyler-McGraw to discuss her book “An African Republic: Black and White Virginia and the Making of Liberia.” I was able to catch up with her in her Omni Hotel room and have a sit-down about the book. The following program aired on Friday on WRIR. The audio file of that interview is posted below.

“An African Republic: Black and White Virginia and the Making of Liberia” was an academic book- even she recommended that I skip the first four chapters because they’re tough to get through. The story, despite the author’s caveat, was fascinating.To paraphrase what you’re about to get into: For the Southerners of all colors, distinguishing who was a slave and who was free was an ever growing problem in the early 1800s. In an attempt to settle the problem, a group of Virginians called the American Colonization Society felt that these free people weren’t going to be able to thrive in this country with the oppressive mindset of the white population. I’m not saying that the beginning thoughts of a “Liberia” were philanthropic, but colonization was their way of solving the disparities between the classes. What happened next is what this audio is all about.

Please feel free to send comments. Every week I do this alone and could use the feedback.Books are available for purchase at the Library of Virginia bookstore.

Sincerely, Liz Humes

Listen to the show:

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Piper’s Someday

Original airdate: February 8, 2008

About the Book: “It couldn’t get any worse for feisty, young Piper Leigh Cliff and her three-legged dog, Someday. But, it does. After losing her parents and brother in a drunk driving accident, she and her dog are forced to live in what she calls the “grossest looking apartment complex” in Goochland County, Virginia. Soon after, she begins to deal with even more trauma as she’s swept up in a maelstrom that includes her neglectful, verbally abusive grandfather and his cross-eyed lackey friend, Clover – two old rednecks in love with booze, Nascar, and jaunts to the local bar. Left alone to fend for herself, Piper passes the time by shooting basketball, hanging out at her fort, and smoking stolen cigarettes from her grandfather.Her luck begins to change, however, when two women, a postal worker and a graduate student, move three doors down. All three begin to forge a relationship despite her grandfather’s warnings to stay away. Then, when someone attempts to have his way with Piper, the wheels of fate go into motion, leading everyone to the county pound, juvenile domestic court, and a revelation that will change the course of Piper’s life forever. When her own Amber Alert goes off, Lord knows what will happen next.Piper and Someday must learn the meaning of survival both with and without each other. And, along the way, she learns the lessons of shame, guilt, and what it means to be loyal.”

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The Coffee Fanatic’s Field Guide

Original airdate: February 1, 2008

About the Book: “Are you a Coffee Fanatic? Matt Peach’s book is a tour de force through the delightful world of coffee, coffee drinks and coffeehouses. Loaded with information, tips and resources, it is the ultimate coffee guide for novice and connoisseur alike. Matt started writing about coffee six years ago. In 2001 he left the corporate world and founded Shenandoah Blue Ridge Media, LLC, initially acquiring licenses to publish three separate editions of Coffee News in Central Virginia. Distributing the publications through coffeehouses and restaurants, Matt soon realized that many readers desired more specific information about the subject of coffee. So, he started writing short articles about the different aspects of coffee to be included in his weekly publications.

His “Field Guide” promises to “help you understand new coffee drinks, navigate coffeehouses like a 1960’s hippie, control the calories in your favorite drink, be socially responsible in the world of coffee, get better results making coffee drinks at home, maximize the health benefits of coffee, speak coffeehouse jargon like a barista and impress your friends by serving superb coffee.” – www.coffeefanaticsguide.com

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Buy the book:

www.coffeefanaticsguide.com