Speaking at the Boston Athenaeum, Mar. 31

This Thursday, March 31st I'll be lecturing on my newly-released American Character at the venerable Boston Athenaeum

The event starts at 6pm at the storied library's 10 1/2 Beacon Street building. The good news is that it's free if you're a member; the bad news is that it is $15 if you are not, but I promise it will be worth it. There will be a reception afterward.

Either way, they ask you to register here.

Don't live in Boston? Don't despair. My full event schedule, updated regularly, can be found here.

Speaking on American Character, Portland, Maine, Mar. 30

This Wednesday, March 30th, I'll be presenting American Character at the Portland Public Library's Rines Auditorium here in Maine.

The event, which kicks off at 5:30, is free, open to the public, and hosted by my excellent employers, MaineToday Media, parent company of the Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, with an assist from publishers Viking Press. There will be a reception and, courtesy of Longfellow Books, a book signing on site. My boss, Press Herald executive editor Cliff Schechtman is kindly doing the introduction.

The hosts only ask that you RSVP via this Facebook page for the event. Do come if you can.

For those who are patrons of the Boston Athenaeum, I'll be speaking there the following night, March. 31; it's free for members, $15 for non-members. Full event schedule, as always, can be found here.

Talking with KERA, WAMC, Signature Reads about American Character

I returned from a whirlwind book tour in the northeastern U.S. earlier this week, which had me pass through nine states and the District of Columbia in three days. Thanks to all who came out to Politics and Prose in D.C., the Greenwich Public Library in Connecticut and the Falmouth Historical Society on Cape Cod; great audiences all.

Literally on the way home, I swung by the Maine Public Broadcasting studios for a live hook-up with Dallas public radio superstation KERA's hour-long "Think" program. That conversation is now available online for streaming.

You can also hear my interview with WAMC / Northeast Public Radio's "Roundtable," an interview show out of Albany that can be heard in parts of seven states via 28 transmitters, which also aired this week.

And for those who prefer the written word, my extensive interview with Signature Reads writer Scott Porch at their website.

Thanks to all three outlets for their interest in American Nations and American Character.

My book tour continues this week with events in Portland, Maine on Mar. 30 and Boston, Massachusetts on Mar. 31.

Gulf of Maine facing another "ocean heat wave"

This past fall, I wrote a six-part series for the Portland Press Herald on how climate change threatens the Gulf of Maine, with special reference to the so-called "ocean heat wave" of 3012-13, when water temperatures spiked, causing all manner of ecological disruptions. Green crabs exploded, destroying clam flats and eel grass beds. Blue crabs, squid, and other Mid-Atlantic species started invading, while puffin chicks starved and right whales failed to find food.

Kind of a mess, and a sneak preview of what conditions will be like all the time by mid-century. Or maybe this summer as well.

As I reported in Monday's Press Herald, the warmest winter on record has the Gulf on track for a repeat of 2012.

Talking with PBS' White House Chronicle, WMNF's Life Elsewhere

Earlier this month, I had an enjoyable afternoon in Portland with Llewelyn King, host of the PBS interview program "White House Chronicle," which originates out of WHUT in Washington, DC. Mr. King came up to the studios of the Portland Press Herald to talk about American Nations, my book on American regionalism, and the interview is now available online.

"White House Chronicle" airs on 200 public and community television stations nationwide -- including WETA in Washington and Rhode Island Public Television -- as well as in audio on VOA and Sirius XM.

Earlier this week I had an enjoyable interview with Norman B, host of "Life Elsewhere", the syndicated public radio interview show originating out of Tampa's WMNF, on American Character and the current presidential race, a segment which ran in Tampa earlier today. Tomorrow -- Monday Mar. 21 -- you can hear it on Detroit's largest radio station, WROM at 7pm and, at 8 PT, on NWCZ radio, the Pacific Northwest podcast out of Tacoma, Washington.

Talking American Character with MPBN's Maine Calling

Thanks to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network for having me as the guest on "Maine Calling," the statewide public radio network's hour-long interview and call-in program. It was especially fun to return to the program's studio with host Keith Shortall, as I was the program's very first guest back when it was launched in 2011, talking American Nations.

Yesterday's program was about the sequel, American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, which was released that morning. There were some excellent callers -- especially the one observing the parallels with the emphases of Eastern as compared to Western civilization and women as compared to men. Smart people, we Mainers.

Today I did thirteen back-to-back radio interviews across the country, including Yankee, Midland, Left Coast, Far West, Deep South, and Greater Appalachian stations. Will post links to those as they become available.

Maine Sunday Telegram reviews American Character

This week's Maine Sunday Telegram includes a review of my newly-released American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good. Thomas Urquhart is the reviewer. He calls it "a big-dipper ride through four centuries as first collectivists then individualists tae their turn at managing the country."

As an author and book reviewer myself, I appreciate Urquhart's critical eye and thoughtful distillation of what is a complicated book.

One point of fact to push back on here because, hey, where else would I do it? It's not true that I trot Cornel West out to attest to Barack Obama governing similar to an Eisenhowerite Republican; West -- the honorary chair of the Democratic Socialists of America -- is instead quoted refuting the thesis that Obama is a "socialist." It's Bruce Bartlett -- the former Reagan and George W Bush aide who helped Jack Kemp perfect the argument for supply-side economics -- who makes that "Obama as Old School moderate Republican" pitch, right in the very same paragraph, backing up an idea fleshed out elsewhere in the book by W speechwriter Michael Gerson. But I digress....

My real message: thanks to Urquhart and the Telegram for a erudite and thoughtful first review.

Earlier today I was the guest on Maine Public Broadcasting's "Maine Calling"; tonight I'll be speaking at River Run Bookstore in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and tomorrow I'm doing twelve radio interviews back to back with stations in ten states coast to coast and the District of Columbia. Long-form highlights include an hour with Oregon's Jefferson Public Radio at 9 Pacific, a half hour with Napa Broadcasting to be taped later, and fifteen minute segments with WAMC/Northeast Public Radio at 2:30 Eastern and WTOP in D.C. at 2:10.

Talking American Character on Wisconsin Public Radio, WCSH-6, Voclao

On the eve of the release of American Character, I was pleased to do live interviews about the book with Wisconsin Public Radio and Maine's own Rob Caldwell on WCSH-6/WLBZ-2's "207" program.

This morning I spent a full hour with Joy Cardin on her Wisconsin Public Radio show, which runs on their Ideas stations, complete with call-in questions from listeners. You can hear that show online here.

This evening I joined Rob Caldwell and his colleague on Maine's leading television interview

program, "207" which airs on NBC affiliates WCSH-6 in Portland and WLBZ-2 in Bangor. [Update, 3/22/16: Full video here.]

Yesterday, I started my day with Vocalo Radio's Morning Amp host Jill Hopkins. The program, a production of WBEW at Chicago Public Radio, airs across Chicago-land and northwest Indiana.

Thanks to all three programs and their audiences for an excellent kick-off and for acting as my initial practice in talking about the ideas in the book.

Tomorrow, March 15, American Character goes on sale and I'll be the guest on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network's "Maine Calling" radio program from noon to one Eastern. (Call in with your questions. ) [Update: 1/16/16: Here's the audio for that.] That evening I'll be in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for my first live event at the River Run Bookstore.

For full book tour information, including events in Portland (Maine), Beverly, Boston, Newburyport and Falmouth (Massachusetts), Greenwich (Connecticut) and Washington, D.C., click here.

Talking American Character, Greenwich, CT, Mar. 21

For all of you in the northern swath of New Netherland: I'll be speaking about my new book American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good at the Greenwich Library in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The event kicks off at 7pm at the library, 101 West Putnam Avenue. It's free and open to the public.

The book tour this month also includes in Portsmouth, NH; Newburyport, Boston, Falmouth and Beverly, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine (twice); and Washington, DC.

[Update, 3/14/16: Here's a preview of the talk from the Greenwich Time.]

Talking American Character, Falmouth, Mass., Mar. 19

Residents of Cape Cod and adjacent parts of southeastern Massachusetts: I'll be speaking about my new book American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good at the Falmouth Historical Society's Museums on the Green at 2pm on March 19.

The museums are located on Palmer Avenue in Falmouth, near the mainland end of the Cape so, you know, everyone from Mystic to Provincetown should come. I'm pretty sure the event is free, but if they charge something, I promise it'll be worth it.

The book tour this month also includes in Portsmouth, NH; Newburyport, Boston and Beverly, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine (twice); Greenwich, Connecticut, and Washington, DC.

Talking American Character in Washington, DC, Mar. 20

I'm looking forward to speaking about American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good at Politics & Prose, Washington, DC's storied bookstore, on March 20.

The event kicks off at 5pm at the store, 5015 Connecticut Ave, NW. Looking forward to meeting readers and seeing old friends from my D.C. days.

I'll also be the guest on the "Afternoon Drive" show on WTOP -- Washington's highest rated radio station -- at 2:10 pm on March 16.

The book tour this month also includes in Portsmouth, NH; Newburyport, Falmouth, Boston and Beverly, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine (twice); and Greenwich, Connecticut. I'll be in Europe, Oregon, and other Maine locations thereafter.

Talking American Nations in Newburyport, Mass., Mar. 18

If you live in northeastern Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire, I'll be speaking about my new book American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good at Newburyport's terrific Jabberwocky Bookshop at 7pm on March 18.

This will be, I believe, my fifth trip to Jabberwocky, which if I'm not mistaken has had me speak for each of my books -- the only venue in the country with that distinction. It always draws an excellent crowd, so please join as well. (It's in the Tannery complex downtown.)

The book tour this month also includes in Portsmouth, NH; Falmouth, Boston and Beverly, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine (twice); Greenwich, Connecticut, and Washington, DC.

Launching American Character, Portland, Maine, Mar. 17

My new book, American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, goes on sale Mar. 15 and, while my "world premier" is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that evening, the hometown launch party is on March 17 here in Maine.

So if you're in the area, come on over to Longfellow Books at the center of Portland at 7pm. There will be a reception, talk, and signing, courtesy of Longfellow and co-hosts, the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.

The first leg of the book tour continues in Newburyport, Falmouth, Boston and Beverly, Massachusetts; Greenwich, Connecticut, and Washington, DC, but more events in Maine and beyond are coming up.

Can't make the March 17 event? Good news: the Portland Press Herald, where I'm a staff writer, is hosting an American Character event at the Portland Public Library on March 30 at 5:30. Further details to follow.

Are you a Mainer who doesn't live near Portland? I'll be a guest on WCSH-6/WLBZ-2's "207" on March 14 and on MPBN's "Maine Calling" for the full noon hour on March 15.

Talking American Nations on the Leslie Marshall Show, Today

I'm one of the guests today on the nationally-syndicated Leslie Marshall Show, which airs live at 3:30 pm Eastern, and thereafter on stations across the country (including WZON late at night here in Maine and in southern New Hampshire.)

Leslie and I had a conversation about American Nations and the effect the regional cultures have on violence, the topic of a Tufts Magazine cover story I wrote a few years back. She appears regularly on FOX News and FOX Business as one of their resident progressives.

The show is also available on podcast here.

Speaking about American Character, Portsmouth, NH, Mar. 15

My fifth book, American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, goes on sale March 15th and I'll be in a store that evening, presenting the book for the first time.

The world premier, as it were, is at River Run Bookstore, the flagship independent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at 6:30 pm. Lots of details are here at their website. If you live in southernmost Maine or seacoast New Hampshire -- or if you live over in Manchester and really enjoyed my recent Politico piece on the transformation of the Amoskeag Millyard -- do come on by. (They moved to 142 Fleet Street a few years back.)

The book tour continues in Newburyport, Falmouth, Boston and Beverly, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Greenwich, Connecticut, and Washington, DC.

American Character Cometh

I'm pleased to announce that my fifth book, American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good, goes on sale in just ten days. The book, a sequel to American Nations, looks at the struggle between these two essential components of a free society and how to balance them -- and sustain a liberal democracy -- in the U.S's balkanized context. In their advanced prepublication review, Kirkus calls it "thoughtful political theory for divisive times."

I have a vigorous media interview schedule and will be on book tour in Washington, DC and across New England (Portland, Portsmouth, Newburyport, Boston, Beverly, Falmouth (Mass) and Greenwich) over the next month, and in Oregon, and Europe thereafter. I'll be posting about these events in advance and the interviews after the fact, but for a sneak peek of the former, see the author events page at my website.

For official media and book tour requests, the publicist at Viking (part of Penguin/Random House) is Meredith Burks, 212-366-2275 / mburks@penguinrandomhouse.com. Or you can contact me.

There's also an audiobook edition coming out simultaneously on Mar. 15 from HighBridge audio, with Jonathan Yen reading.

Thanks to all who have inquired about the book and for your continued interest.

Republic of Pirates becomes a #1 bestseller at Audible

Sales apparently drive sales. Consider:

Last week, Audible.com had a special $4.95 offer on the audio edition of my third book, The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down.

Today, Audible released their bestseller lists for the week to the Associated Press: Republic of Pirates was the #1 bestseller in non-fiction. Not bad for a nine year old book.

That is all.