Last night the Books Inc. audience in Berkeley gave everything an author could want at a reading. The twenty people present were attentive, engaged, and enthusiastic. They erupted in laughter over the infamous horsewhipping incident and the notorious “deadly, virus-dipped” hatpin attack. They gasped at the brutal third degree Marie Equi endured at a police station and were appalled by J. Edgar Hoover’s determination to keep Equi in prison. During the book signing, several thanked me for retrieving Equi’s story and presenting her in a way that everyone could appreciate. One woman stepped up and said, while handing me her just-purchased book, “Anarchism and the Wobblies – I’m there. I’ve got to read this.” Another reported that she was mesmerized and literally did not want me to stop talking about the book.
One of the perks of being the speaker is watching and gauging the audience’s reaction. Last night the response was exceptional and energizing, and I feel honored to have shared the evening with everyone there.
One of the perks of being the speaker is watching and gauging the audience’s reaction. Last night the response was exceptional and energizing, and I feel honored to have shared the evening with everyone there.
Two of Marie Equi’s distant cousins attended the reading last night. Jeanine and Margaret are descendants of Giuseppi Equi who emigrated from northern Italy in the 1850s to America and shortly thereafter settled in the Bay Area. I was excited to present so much Equi family history for them and then honored when they suggested I should be an honorary member of the Equi clan.
A special thanks to the staff of Books Inc. in Berkeley for their enthusiastic welcome and steady promotion leading up to the reading. Schyler, David, and Carmen – you were great to work with.
Coming up tonight, Thursday, 10/08, MARIE EQUI author event at the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin St, Civic Center, 3rd floor, James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center. Reading, purchase, and signing.
A special thanks to the staff of Books Inc. in Berkeley for their enthusiastic welcome and steady promotion leading up to the reading. Schyler, David, and Carmen – you were great to work with.
Coming up tonight, Thursday, 10/08, MARIE EQUI author event at the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin St, Civic Center, 3rd floor, James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center. Reading, purchase, and signing.
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