Reading Between the Lines: A Series of Book Discussions

Travel and Tourism Narratives of the Empire State is the discussion series selected for the Winter/Spring 2009 season.  Provided by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities, the series is in conjunction with the Hudson-Fulton quadricentennial 2009 celebration.  The four discussions will be held the first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. starting in February.

Books will be distributed to registered members and discussions will be led by Dr. Sherrill Wilson, an urban anthropologist.

To register for one of the discussions or for all four, call 634-4997, ext. 139.

January 5 - An open house to pick up the first book in the series and listen to Dr. Wilson's overview about the discussions.

February 4 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.  This classic short story set in the Hudson Valley is a tale of romantic rivalry that climaxes with the arrival of the Headless Horseman.

March 4 - The Artificial River: The Erie Canal and the Paradox of Progress by Carol Sheriff.  This book examines the impact of the Erie Canal on the lives of ordinary people.

April 1 - The Second Greatest Disappointment: Honeymooning and Tourism at Niagara Falls by Karen Dubinsky. A look at the cultural significance of the Falls, both for its visitors and in our collective imagination.

May 6 - Taxi! A Social History of the New York City Cabdriver by Graham Russell Hodges.  The series concludes with this fascinating book that explores the development of the city through this iconic profession.