History Book Festival features bevy of authors

People who love to read had their dream come true this past weekend in Lewes during the seventh annual History Book Festival. More than 4,000 people filled four venues to hear more than 20 best-selling authors or promising new authors discuss their latest books. It’s the only book festival in the country solely devoted to history.

The festival kicked off Sept. 29 with a sold-out conversation with National Public Radio’s Steve Inskeep, author of the forthcoming “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” at Bethel United Methodist Church fellowship hall. He was joined by Christina Shutt, executive director of the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill.

On Sept. 30, 22 authors discussed their books and answered audience questions at four venues in Lewes. The day concluded with a discussion among authors and participants at Lewes Public Library. Other venues included Rollins Community Center and Lewes History Museum, and Cape Henlopen High School.

There was also time for attendees to ask questions.

On Oct. 1, National Book Award-winning author James McBride offered a closing conversation discussing his latest novel, “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” at Cape High. He was joined by Marie Arana, a prize-winning author and the inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress.

McBride, the author of four other novels and several other works, is a recipient of the National Humanities Medal and a distinguished writer in residence at New York University. He is also an accomplished musician.

Inskeep’s book features 16 profiles of people Abraham Lincoln had disagreements or differences with before and after he was elected president in 1861. That list includes some people who turned out to be allies, others rivals, slave owners and some whom he considered failures with no resolution. “He was always trying to get something out of the exchange,” said Inskeep.

He said Lincoln’s mission to reach out to people is relative in today’s society. “People have frustrations with people who speak and think differently than they do. Many feel there is no point in talking with people who disagree with us and not deal with them because their minds can’t be changed.

“Lincoln was not trying to change minds,” he said.

Thanks to the festival, authors visited schools in Georgetown, Greenwood and Bridgeville, reaching 1,100 students. The festival committee also donated 500 books to local school districts.