First Steps Publishing

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History (narrative/non-fiction)

THE FORGOTTEN ARTIST, The Story of Evylena Nunn Miller by Leslie Compton

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Much of the evidence of women’s struggle for recognition in the arts has disappeared and so have those who have taken part in them. In the 21st Century, where women comprise fifty percent of the professional artists, we cannot afford to neglect their achievement. Leslie Compton introduces you to one of those women, her Great-Aunt, Evylena Nunn Miller, The Forgotten Artist.

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The Luckiest Guerrilla, A Tale of Love, War and the Army

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The Luckiest Guerrilla by Patricia Murphy MinchThe Luckiest Guerrilla tells the remarkable, enchanting story of Philippines survivor Colonel Arthur Philip Murphy. Relying extensively on letters from Arthur and his wife Lillian, their daughter Patricia has penned an engrossing World War II narrative that is both a historical treasure chest and captivating on a personal level.

Only ten hours after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, they also bombed Luzon, Philippines. Ten days later enemy troops swarmed ashore, bent on swiftly annihilating General MacArthur’s ill-prepared defenses, commandeering the country’s natural resources, and subjugating its people.

By pure happenstance, Murphy avoided the pitiful surrender to the Japanese of 70,000-plus Fil-American troops there in April 1942, and he avoided the infamous Bataan Death March that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Instead, he opted to defy the surrender order and, with three companions, take his chances in the Igorot mountain country.

An obstinate, outspoken rebel, incurable romantic, amateur philosopher, and stoic executioner, Murphy was never captured, never wounded. He not only survived for three years behind enemy lines, he helped create a 22,000-man guerrilla army that harassed the Japanese, provided invaluable intelligence to MacArthur’s island-hopping army, and played a significant role in the battles fought during the waning months of the war, all while cultivating and maintaining, by whatever means necessary, continued support and loyalty among the Igorot headhunters of North Luzon.

Dearest Minnie, a sailor’s story

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Dearest Minnie, a sailor's story about the Great White Fleet by Leslie Compton

DEAREST MINNIE,
a sailor’s story

Narrative-Driven Historical Fiction |
Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet

Dearest Minnie is a strong narrative-driven historical fiction which brings to light a typical sailor’s life on the USS Virginia during Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet cruise of sixteen battleships around the world in 1907-1909.

 

Travel with Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet through the eyes of an enlisted sailor, during 1907-1909. A wonderfully accurate portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt’s sixteen battleships good will tour that is seldom told in depth in history books. Extrapolated from over 200 actual postcards sent home to “Dearest Minnie” this book is an engaging narrative as seen through the eyes of a sailor on the USS Virginia.

This documented event is only a couple of paragraphs in most history books. Learn, through the eyes of an enlisted sailor about the battleships, the reason for the cruise, the political climate, the animals aboard, the entertainment at each port and aboard ship, and the unexpected mishaps. This book includes over 200 colored postcards printed during the cruise. A wonderful book for any age — you need only have a love of history and a desire to learn something new.

 

My book, Dearest Minnie, began when I was ten years old though I didn’t know it at the time.  I received a large box containing three albums filled with postcards from around the world from an estate of someone I had never met.   I spent hours studying the pictures on the cards.  As an adult my fascination grew.  I took the postcards out of their disintegrating albums to discover they had been sent to my grandfather’s cousin, Minnie Camp from the USS Virginia during the Great White Fleet cruise around the world. Thus began my research and passion for this period of history.

Release Date: August 2017

Book Title: Dearest Minnie, a sailor’s story
Subtitle: Travel with Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet 1907-1909  through 200+  full-color postcards

Author: Leslie Compton

ISBN: 978-1-937333-39-3
Price: $34.95

Published by: First Steps Publishing, Oregon

Publication Date: July 1, 2017
Release Date: August 1, 2017

Distributed by: Ingram Distribution
Wholesale Discount: 50%: returnable
Format: Paperback, full-color, 70 lb, acid-free stock
Weight: 1.34 lbs
Size: 8 x 10 in

Available from: First Steps Publishing, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Amazon and other booksellers.

Author Website: www.LeslieCompton.com