CONTRIBUTOR:
Jamie Swenson, Author & Hedberg Public Library Associate
I met Ann Bausum about twenty-five years ago, give or take. She was signing her then new book Dinosaur Bones and Dinosaur Eggs: A Photobiography of Explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, the man who the character Indiana Jones is loosely based upon. I had my kids at the Burpee Museum in Rockford exploring the natural history collection – a favorite pastime of ours as they were growing up. Of course, I stopped to talk to the kind author who was signing books. We bought a book that day, but it wasn’t until a few years later that Ann and I crossed paths again. This time at the Hedberg Public Library. (Of course!)
Ann and I joined the same writing critique group that met monthly in the community room at that time. I was quite surprised when I saw that Ann was going to be a part of the group – and that somehow, I would have the privilege to read her drafts. And she mine! I was just starting out, learning how to write picture books. Ann had already published a fair number of books through National Geographic and had won numerous awards. Who knew that we would become such excellent critique partners?
The rest, as they might say, is history – well, Ann probably wouldn’t just say that – no! Ann would painstakingly research the facts, finding interesting angles. She would take the time to interview anyone who had first-hand knowledge about how we met. She would travel, if needed, and pour over primary source documents and photos. And Ann would bring the story to life in a way that would captivate readers. She has done that time and time again over the past twenty-five years. And I, and countless readers, have had the benefit of learning so much history through Ann’s detailed, compassionate, and balanced accounts.
Ann’s latest book, White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War, then Rewrote the History has received a total of six starred reviews to date. (To receive one starred review is an honor – four starred reviews is basically unheard of – but to have six different review sites bestow stars? Well, that’s just the brilliance of Ann Bausum.)
Ann grew up in Virginia “surrounded by the symbols and teachings of the Lost Cause.” She uses her own memories along with meticulous research to create a book that has been called “an essential and powerful offering” [Publishers Weekly, July 2025] as well as “an important and compelling work” [School Library Journal, July 2025]. I hope you will join us on Monday, September 22 from 6-7:30 PM for a chat with Ann about her life as a non-fiction writer and all the interesting places her research has taken her. A book sale and signing will follow the program, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Friends of Hedberg Public Library. The book with be available for $20 that evening.
It's going to be a great discussion – plus, we will have tea and cookies.