June 19, 2006

Applegate '89 and Beecher 1839

Today’s Hartford Courant has an article in the “Lifestyle” section about Debby Applegate ‘89 and her new book, The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher. Beecher, of course, was a member of the class of 1834.

Applegate’s relationship with the complicated, charismatic man started with her sophomore seminar paper at Amherst College, a senior thesis and her subsequent Yale doctoral dissertation.

The Courant’s review is largely positive:

It was also tough to resist turning the story of his family—known as the fabulous Beechers—into, as Applegate, 38, says, “a big Russian novel.” … Given the topic, the book reads not so much like a history book but a dense novel peopled with interesting characters.

This is particularly true when you read the thumbnail outline of Beecher’s life, which includes both a career as a preacher in the abolitionist movement and an adultery trial.

Parker Morse '96 | June 19, 2006 09:34 AM | Alumni | Publications

Comments

Debby Applegate '89 | June 23, 2006 10:40 AM:

Gee, I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea there was an Amherst discussion board until I was (and here is the embarrassing part) googling myself to find reviews of my new book and stumbled upon your entry, Parker. Thank you very much for posting the notice and for drawing my attention to such a cool resource.

For those who don't know Henry Ward Beecher class of 1834 -- he stands to this day on a pedastal outside the Octagon, a stone's throw from North Dorm where Beecher lived in his senior year. My favorite chapter in the book, by far, is the one on Amherst, which cites Ralph Waldo Emerson's early evaluation after visiting the campus. Amherst College, he declared with amazement, is “an infant Hercules.” “They write and study in sort of fury, which, I think, promises a harvest of attainments.” Flattering and not so innacurate.

For those who might be interested, the book comes out next week, and there will also be a booksigning after the football game at Homecoming at the Jeffery Amherst bookshop. Also, of course, there is a website: www.henrywardbeecher.com

Min Choi '96 | July 15, 2006 03:07 PM:

The New York Times has a review Applegate's book in tomorrow's Sunday Books section. The review in now online ...

Tony | August 20, 2006 02:38 PM:

I saw Ms.Applegate on C-span 2 discussing her book-I was really taken with her and her book.
:)

Jack | April 25, 2007 09:02 AM:

Gee, Debby, who knew that the bleary-eyed girl coming to the circulation desk at Frost would turn out to be so exalted! Congrats on all your honors! I wish Mort was still with us to see it too.

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