Speaking on American Nations, Portland, Oct. 26

For Southern Mainers who were unable to attend the Oct. 13 launch event, I'm speaking on American Nations this Wednesday, October 26 at the Maine Historical Society in downtown Portland at 7 pm. Do come if you can.

The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing for those interested in such.

American Nations has been getting some nice local attention, including a feature in the Maine Sunday Telegram, a recent cover story in the Portland Phoenix, and this segment on WCSH television's 207 program. It's also a #1 bestseller on the Maine Sunday Telegram list this week.

On American Nations in the Maine Sunday Telegram

Fellow Mainers: I'm the subject of the book feature Q&A in this morning's Maine Sunday Telegram.

Bob Keyes interviews me on how I became interested in cultural regionalism, the reasons for the persistence of our regional cultures, and the fortunate timing, marketing-wise, of the release of American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.

As the piece notes, I'll be speaking about the book in Portland this Wednesday, October 26, at the Maine Historical Society at 7 pm. Come if you can.

The book has been recently featured by Bloomberg, Rolling Stone.com, WashingtonPost.com, the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Miller-McCune, Washington Monthly, CBC radio, 207, and as last week's cover story in the Portland Phoenix. Segments with PBS News Hour and NPR's Weekend All Things Considered will be airing soon.

[Update, 13:00: American Nations was also #1 on the Maine Sunday Telegram's Hardcover Nonfiction list. (Lobster Coast was #9 on paperback.) Thanks to Longfellow Books patrons for that.]

Is the Tea Party Doomed? My take in Washington Monthly

My first feature for Washington Monthly is in the new issue to be released tomorrow, but it's their "sneak preview" article for the month, so it just posted online as well.

The article argues that the Tea Party is doomed to failure in large swaths of the country, making it unlikely to achieve more than fleeting nationwide success. The piece is, of course, informed by the American Nations paradigm. You'll be surprised at the regional character of the movement.

Maine politicos will be interested to know that Tea Party activist and U.S. Senate hopeful Alan Ian Dodge thinks the state movement is collapsing, partly as a result of the debt ceiling debacle.

Fittingly enough, I'm actually in Washington. If you are too and have an interest in American Nations, come to this evening's Zocalo Public Square / Center for Social Cohesion event.

My American Nations essay at Washington Post's Political Bookworm

My short essay regarding my new book, American Nations, has posted at the Washington Post's Political Bookworm blog.

Apparently quite a few people must be reading the piece -- "The roots of American disunity" -- as the book has surged on Amazon.com. At this writing, I'm pleased to say, it has a better sales rank than Ann Coulter's Moronic -- sorry, I misread that -- Demonic. Now that's a screenshot for the scrapbook.

Speaking on American Nations, Washington, DC, Oct. 17

For those of you in the U.S. Capital Region, I'll be speaking about American Nations at the ASU Washington Center at DuPont Circle on Monday evening, October 17 at 6pm.

It's an event co-sponsored by Zocalo Public Square and the ASU Center for Social Cohesion. Their series has an enjoyable format: a 30 minute presentation followed by an hour reception at which all audience members are encouraged to engage in conversation with the presenter and each other. This particular event will be introduced by Andres Martinez from the New America Foundation.

The event is open to the public, but they ask you to RSVP online. Come if you can!

American Nations in Portland Phoenix, Miller McCune, Zocalo

Regular readers of this blog are probably weary of hearing about my new book, American Nations, but I'm out flogging it these days, so brace yourselves....

Today, there's an extensive interview and book excerpt in the Portland Phoenix, where my more time-sensitive coverage of Maine politics usually appears. Thanks to the editors there for their interest. [Update, 10/14/11: Finally saw the print edition, which has American Nations on the cover, with a colorized map of the nations (above) to boot!]

Last night the always refreshing Miller-McCune magazine posted their interview feature on their website. [Update, 10/14/11: This piece was also cross-featured at Real Clear Science.

Yesterday, Zocalo Public Square published my essay on how the existence of the eleven "American Nations" complicates the job of running for president (and why Republicans would indeed be wise to pick Romney over Perry.) Zocalo is co-sponsoring my speaking event in Washington, D.C. this coming Monday (Oct. 17.)


And for those who just haven't gotten their fill, we have a book launch event at the Portland (Maine) Public Library tonight at 6:30. Come on by and say hello. [Update, 10/14/11: Thanks much for all of you who were able to join us!]

Speaking on WCSH/WLBZ's "207"

I was one of the guests on last night's edition of "207," the interview program produced by Maine's two NBC affiliates, WCSH-6 in Portland and WLBZ-2 in Bangor.

The segment -- in which host Rob Caldwell talks with me about my newly released book, American Nations -- is now online, for those interested.

The station's website makes mention of this Thursday's book launch party here in Portland. Note that this event actually starts at 6:30, not 7 (as once planned.) More details here.