| Book of the Year - Honorable Mention in
History |
|
| A Breach of Privilege:
Cilley Family
Letters 1820-1867 by Eve Anderson |
| Unique among collections of letters, these
never before
published communications have not been completely read by family
members
since the early twentieth century. For years they lay stored in an
attic
and came to light only after the death of a direct family descendent.
It
took nearly five years to transcribe the letters and arrange them in a
coherent story. As one of the least publicized political crimes of the
nineteenth century, the death of Jonathan Cilley stands out as a
chapter
of American history that certainly would have been lost had this book
not
been written.
A Breach of Privilege: Cilley Family Letters, 1820-1867 is a fascinating authentic narrative of a life of extraordinary potential tragically cut short because of political corruption. It is a story of great love and heartrending sorrow, but it is also one in which the human spirit triumphs over the most devastating of circumstances. As tragic as the story is, it manages to show that humor, even in incredibly difficult circumstances, can achieve a solace and mending of the soul. If nothing else, the story of the Cilley family is one of resilience and great love of country; so great that the loss of his life was secondary to Jonathan Cilley compared to his honor and standing firm for his principles. The book has a navy blue cloth-covered hard cover with gold stamping, an attractive four-color dust jacket and ribbon place marker. 520 pages with 45 photographs and illustrations, it is printed on cream paper. The end papers are examples of cross-writing, a practice common in the 1820s to limit the high cost of postage. It should be noted that the usual profits from the sale of this book go directly to the Thomaston Historical Society. The author has contributed her years of research and writing to the society. It was, as she states, "…a labor of love." The book sells for $28.00. Because the book weighs close to three pounds, we must charge $5 for shipping and handling. Maine purchasers please add 5% sales tax. Please make checks payable to Thomaston Historical Society and mail to the society at P.O. Box 384, Thomaston, Maine 04861. Your book will be sent within a day of the arrival of your check. If you live in or near Thomaston and can pick your book up, you will save the mailing fee. To make those arrangements, please telephone the author at 354-8835 or send an e-mail to katsmeow@roadrunner.com |
