McAlester Library To Host Award-Winning Oklahoma Author
The McAlester Public Library will host Will Rogers Medallion Award-winning author John J. Dwyer Tuesday, Nov. 28 in a free public event. A reception with refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. in the library’s Whiteacre Room.
Dwyer will deliver a new multi-media presentation about Oklahoma History at 7 p.m. He will sign copies of all his books afterwards.
Dwyer’s historical epic The Oklahomans: The Story of Oklahoma and Its People, Vol. 1, Ancient-Statehood, won first place for the category of Western nonfiction in Fort Worth Oct. 28, at the 14th annual national Will Rogers Medallion Award banquet. The event was held during Red Steagall’s 27th Cowboy Gathering. It attracted authors and publishers from as far away as California, Utah, Nevada and New York. The book’s Norman-based publisher, Red River Press, also earned a gold medal for the book’s design and layout.
Dwyer, a Duncan native and Norman resident, has taught history and ethics at Southern Nazarene University since 2006.
While announcing the Will Rogers judges’ decision, Executive Director Charles Williams described Dwyer’s book as “One of the best books we’ve ever seen in any category of our competition.”
The book won, Williams said, in the most competitive category of the contest. Winner of the Western fiction category was Craig Johnson, well-known creator of the book and television series featuring a character named Walt Longmire, for the novel The Highwayman.
The Will Rogers Medallion Award recognizes excellence in Western literature and media.
“This event will also serve as the monthly meeting of our Friends of the Library group,” said Head Librarian Kathy McGilberry. “We know many people cannot get away from work during the day for our regular Friends noon luncheons, usually held on the third Tuesday of every month.
“These evening programs give the public a chance to engage in cultural events, meet new people and consider joining our very active Friends group. We’ll have another unusual evening presentation in February, when an accomplished musician presents a program on the history of music, and plays several ancient instruments.”
Local historian Tom Crowl of the Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society recently met with Dwyer, and had high praise for his scholarship and thoroughness as a researcher. He and other members of the PCGHS are joining in the effort to spread the word about Dwyer’s appearance.
Friends of the Library President Tedi Graham added that a copy of The Oklahomans will be given away at a drawing for all attendees at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s program.
Dwyer’s lavishly illustrated book has been called “part storybook, part textbook, and part coffee table book.” It includes a gallery of the greatest Oklahoma historical paintings by artists such as Wayne Cooper, Mike Larsen, Don Stivers, Neal Taylor, Andy Thomas, Charles Banks Wilson, and Mike Wimmer.
Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating wrote the foreword.
The book relates the history of Oklahoma from ancient times through statehood. The second volume, which Dwyer is currently writing, extends from just before World War I to the present.
Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, has called Dwyer’s book “The best Oklahoma history book ever.” The Oklahoman newspaper called it, “A heroically ambitious history of our state.” James Caster, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma, said it is “as fine a treatment of the subject and period as we are likely to witness in our lifetime.”
Dwyer’s seminal book on the Civil War, The War Between the States: America’s Uncivil War, prompted Blackburn to suggest that he write a similar saga on Oklahoma history. UCLA history professor Roger C. McGrath called The War Between the States, “The best textbook for the high school, preparatory academy or junior college I’ve ever read.”
Dwyer also writes historical fiction. His latest such work, Shortgrass, is based in Dust Bowl and World War 2 Oklahoma. Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Famer and publisher Patrick B. McGuigan wrote that Shortgrass “resonates with power and drama and engages the heart. Dwyer is one of the best writers in the western United States.”
For more information about Tuesday night’s event, or other McAlester library events and services, go to call 918-426-0930, or like the McAlester Public Library Facebook page. For more information about Dwyer, The Oklahomans, or his other books, go to www.johnjdwyer.com.
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