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One Book – One Lincoln – 2004 – Programs
One Book – One Lincoln – 2004
Special Programs or Events
“One Book – One Lincoln – 2004” programs
Programs are currently being scheduled at various public libraries during September, October and November around the themes of Peace Like a River. The programs include such topics as as cowboy poetry, classic Western literature and movies, Nebraska Outlaws, bullies, miraculous events, dream psychology and a mock trial based on the case in the book. All events are free and open to the public, and we encourage you to attend!
- Hell on Women and Horses
- The Classic Western
- One Book One Lincoln at the Movies: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
- Hero or Villain? The Life of Doc Middleton, Nebraska Outlaw
- Bullying in the Schools
- Understanding the Miraculous
- Interpreting Our Dreams
- Murder or Self-Defense?
In Peace Like a River, Swede’s epic poem narrates the adventures of Sunny Sundown in the best tradition of cowboy poetry. Lyn Messersmith, herself a cowboy poet, presents her views on loneliness, women in the West, and the more humorous aspects of ranch life in verse that expresses both the history and the culture of the West.
Sunday, September 26, 2:00 p.m.
Bennett Martin Public Library
136 S. 14th St.
Swede loves Westerns. According to her “Every Western is a love story, you see. In Zane Grey, the hero always starts off with the wrong girl, and she has eyes that are too close together, and she has a bad attitude, like a problem horse.” By definition, what is a Western? Does Peace Like A River exemplify Western qualities? Franz Blaha, Associate Professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Western expert, will discuss the classic Western and how it relates to Peace Like A River.
Sunday, October 10, 2:00 p.m.
Gere Branch Library
2400 S. 56th St.
One Book One Lincoln at the Movies
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
On the Lands’ journey to find Davy they take shelter with Roxana Cawley. Swede and Reuben find Roxana fascinating because her great-uncle knew and even rode with Butch Cassidy, the gentleman outlaw. Roxana’s stories of her great-uncle’s adventures with Butch and Sundance fascinate Reuben and Swede, and help cement the bond that is forming between Roxana and the Land family. Join us for our own look at the exciting life of Butch Cassidy and his gang as told by Hollywood.
Sunday, October 17, 2:00 (discussion following the movie)
Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14th St.
Hero or Villain? The Life of Doc Middleton, Nebraska Outlaw
In Peace Like A River, Davy Land commits a crime and is forced to go on the run. His daring method of escape from jail reminds many of the townsfolk of the legendary heroic outlaws of the Wild West, causing public sentiment to quickly turn in his favor. Deb Carpenter, teacher, author and songwriter, will talk about the life and legend of Doc Middleton, an outlaw horse thief from Nebraska who, like Davy, had a reputation as both a hero and a villain. Ms. Carpenter will also discuss the way people viewed outlaws in the Old West and compare it with the way they are viewed today.
Sunday, October 24, 2:00 p.m.
Eiseley Branch Library
1530 Superior St.
Two bullies play a pivotal role in the life of the Land family in Peace Like a River, and their attack on Swede drives Davy to retaliate violently. Grand Island Walnut Middle School principal Vicki Deuel will discuss the problem of bullies in the schools today, and how her school moved from being one of the toughest in town to being one with a positive, nurturing character.
Thursday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.
Eiseley Branch Library
1530 Superior St.
In the beginning of Peace Like A River, Reuben Land describes his birth as a miracle. This miracle is the first of several in the book, and Reuben spends time discussing what “real” miracle is. He says “A miracle contradicts the will of earth. They rebut every rule all we good citizens take comfort in.” Dr. Otis Young will discuss the many miracles in the book and how we might find meaning in them.
Sunday, October 31, 2:00 p.m.
Anderson Branch Library
3635 Touzalin Ave.
Reuben dreams throughout Peace Like A River, using his subconscious to make sense of the miracles and tragedies in his life. Dr. Stanley Krippner Ph.D., a noted dream researcher, will discuss his approach to dream analysis using Reuben’s dreams as examples.
Thursday, November 4, 7:00 p.m.
Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14th St.
Throughout Peace Like A River, the reader wonders about Davy. Is he guilty of murder, or did he act in self-defense? You decide! Using the evidence presented from the book, attorneys Gary Lacey and John Stevens Berry will argue each side of the case for the audience, who will then get to cast votes to decide Davy’s fate. Library Board member and attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick will instruct the “jury” on the points of law pertinent to Davy’s case.
Sunday, November 7, 2:00 p.m.
Gere Branch Library
2400 S. 56th St.
Return to main One Book – One Lincoln – 2004 site
One Book – One Lincoln – 2003: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
One Book – One Lincoln – 2002: Plainsong by Kent Haruf