This book club reads nonfiction books under 300 pages (sometimes less!) related to the world today and how it got there. Some topics will be more social science and others more technical. The most important part is that the discussions and book selections are patron-driven. Every time you participate, you will have a chance to influence what the next topic will be and where the discussion goes. 

On August 4, we will discuss Bliss and Tragedy: The Ashtabula Railway-Bridge Accident of 1876 and the Loss of P.P. Bliss edited by Thomas Corts, 2003. If you don't have time to read the book, Western Reserve PBS has produced a 2-hour documentary reconstructing the disaster and its aftermath. HMPL has one copy each on DVD and Blu-Ray and it is also available to stream here.

On Dec. 29, 1876, the luxury train The Pacific Express departed the train station in Erie, Pa., for Chicago to celebrate the new year. The train never reached its destination due to a catastrophic disaster that happened in Ashtabula, Ohio, during a raging blizzard. In this town off the shores of Lake Erie, an all-iron railroad bridge collapsed, sending one of the most luxurious trains to ever ride the rails plummeting 70 feet into a frozen river. Of the 170 people who were on board, only 75 survived, most with serious injuries. Of the 95 who perished, 47 were identified; 48 were unidentifiable.

We look forward to having you join this dynamic program!