October 2021 Local Authors

One Hundred and Sixty Minutes: The Race to Save the RMS Titanic

The truth behind the disaster

On the night of August 14, 1912 the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank beneath the waves of the North Atlantic in only 160 minutes. Titanic “mythology” has long maintained the passengers fate was sealed and no one could have saved the more than 1,500 people who died on the ill-fated voyage, says author William Hazelgrove. But the real story, according to the St. Charles writer, is that everyone who froze in the ocean’s icy waters could have been saved if it were not for human failing.

Of the no less than 10 ships that received SOS signals from the Titanic, the MT Temple and the RMS Californian were the closest and arrived in time to rescue passengers from the Titanic. But it was later determined the captains of both ships failed to respond appropriately, maintains Hazelgrove.

Similarly, lifeboats were launched while only half full. Another 400 people could have been rescued if they had returned but only one boat went back. These are among parts of the real story of the Titanic that have been covered up for over a hundred years.

St. Charles writer William Hazelgrove is the author of 10 novels and nine nonfiction titles. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace home in Oak Park, has written numerous articles and reviews, and has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered.

Witch's Brew

by Meg Dagnino of Lemont

Geared to children ages 2 to 10, Dagnino uses the friendly witch Eldora and her curious Goldendoodle pup Mae to spread Halloween cheer and encourage readers to tap into their imagination and create their own special “brews.” Through a QR code, readers can access an interactive video with Dagnino taking on the guise of Eldora. Part of the book’s proceeds will go to the orphan care ministry, All God’s Children International.

Lost and Found Along the Way

by Ron “Willie” Williams of Winfield

This book captures the author’s experiences and insights while walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimages of Medieval origin used as a path for spiritual growth leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in northwestern Spain. The first chapters are narrative historical fiction, the balance of the book is non-fiction including history, descriptions of the trail, and the author’s spiritual thoughts.

100 Things To Do In Rockford Before You Die

by Tamara Gaumond of Rockford

It is Illinois’ fifth largest city boasting world-class botanical exhibits, a thriving arts scene, and an impressive dinosaur named Jane. It’s Rockford, which features a surprising range of other fun things to do, 100 of which are outlined in this book by longtime resident, author and architect Tamara Gaumond, whose passionate appreciation for the city shines through on every page.

If You Exist

by Lillian Moats of Downers Grove

A heartfelt message to generations in the future, the author shares her personal take on where humanity is now and where it might be heading depending on the choices we make. Moats writes about climate change, migration, racism, the pandemic, as well as her concerns about the possibilities of unbridled technical advancement. She then offers her perspective on where hope may lie in a final chapter called, “If We Could Meet.”