My new biography of George Eastman launches on a blog tour September 24 through October 6.  Eastman’s contributions to the world extended far beyond his multimillion-dollar company, Eastman Kodak. A shrewd and principled businessman, he was a pioneer in customer service, employee relations, and worldwide product distribution. A generous philanthropist, his donations helped build universities, improve healthcare, and advance scientific research.

Review

Kathy Connor, the Creator of the George Eastman Legacy, at the George Eastman House reviewed my book and commented, “Bravo! Mrs. Pflueger has done a wonderful job integrating all of the main sources on George Eastman. Her story is well-written, accurate, and a balanced look at the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company’s life.”

About Author

I am a history buff, particularly US history. I love visiting museums and libraries. Nothing pleases me more than roaming around dusty old archives and finding diaries, letters, newspaper articles or photographs I can use in her books.

Tour Stops September 24 – October 6

Read the blog posts, comment, and you may win a free copy of the George Eastman:  Bringing Photography to the People.

Thursday, September 24 – http://thestylinglibrarian.com/2015/09/24/styling-librarian-special-book-feature-george-eastman/ – Book Review

Tuesday, September 29 – http://marciewessels.com/blog/ – Author Interview

Thursday, October 1 –  http://www.lyndapflueger.com/ – Why I Write Biographies

Tuesday, October 6 – http://www.efrogpress.com/ – Highlights of Book Launch

The Courage to Compete: Living with Cerebral Palsy and Following My Dreams 

By Abbey Curran and Elizabeth Kaye

Published by HarperCollins

Abbey Curran’s has cerebral palsy.  She made history when she was the first contestant with a disability to win a major beauty pageant.

Hiawatha and the Peacemaker

By Robbie Robertson and Illustrated by David

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

In the 14^th century, Hiawatha translated the Peacemaker’s message of unity and shared it with the five warring Iroquois nations.  His message helped unit the tribes and changed the way the Iroquois governed themselves.  His message was used a blueprint for democracy by the authors of the United States Constitution.

The Rain Wizard: The Amazing, Mysterious, True Life of Charles Mallory Hatfield

By Larry Dane Brimner

Published by Calkins Creek

In 1915, the city of San Diego’s reservoirs had nearly dried up.  In order to survive the city needed rain and a lot of it.  They hired Charles Mallory Hatfield, the so called rain wizard,  and got more than they bargained for.  It rained, and rained, and rained.

Hot Pink: The Life and Fashions of Elsa Schiaparelli 

By Susan Goldman Rubin

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

Elsa Schiaparelli’s signature color was shocking pink (or hot pink as we call it today.)  A fashion designer, Schiaparelli was the first to feature wedged heels, shoulder bags and the concept of runway fashion shows.

The Tweed Ring was voted out of public office in the municipal elections of 1871.  After the election, reformers brought criminal charges against all four members of the Tweed Ring for stealing millions of dollars. Facing jail terms, Peter Sweeney and Richard Connolly left the country and never returned. After Mayor A. Oakey Hall finished his term of office, he was brought to trial three times, but was never convicted.

Due to various technicalities, William “Boss” Tweed did not go on trial for almost two years. The six-day trial ended in a hung jury—the jurors could not agree whether Tweed was guilty. Ten months later, a new trial began. Tweed was found guilty, sentenced to thirteen years in prison, and fined $12,500. It was a small fine considering the millions of dollars he had stolen.

Tweed still had friends in high places. After a year in jail, his conviction was overturned. Nast, still determined to see Tweed punished for his crimes, continued to draw cartoons portraying Tweed as a thief.

In 1874, due to the effort of New York Governor Samuel Tilden, a law was passed giving the attorney general of New York the power to bring a civil suit against “Boss” Tweed. The civil suit was an attempt by the state to recover the money Tweed had stolen. Tweed was charged in a six million dollar lawsuit and bail was set at three million dollars.

Tweed was arrested again and placed in Ludlow Street Jail. At Ludlow, he was treated like a prince and allowed a great deal of liberty. He went for morning rides in his coach with a prison guard. In the evening, he was permitted to dine with his family while a bailiff acted as his butler.

On December 4, 1875, Tweed arrived at his home for dinner and went upstairs to visit his wife. While his guard was preoccupied, Tweed sneaked out of his house and escaped. For several months he hid in New Jersey and New York. In April, he obtained a passport under the name of John Secor and sailed to Cuba. He arrived in Santiago de Cuba on June 9, 1876. Ninety days later, he left Cuba and sailed to Vigo, Spain, arriving on September 6.

Cuban authorities detected Tweed’s movements and informed United States authorities when he left Cuba for Spain. No photographs of Tweed were available, so the American minister in Madrid sent a copy of Harper’s Weekly containing one of Nast’s drawings to the Spanish authorities. In the drawing, Tweed is holding what appeared to be two children by the scruff of the neck. The Spanish police used the drawing to identify Tweed. They could not read English and assumed that Tweed was a kidnapper. Ironically, this was one crime Tweed never committed.

[Excerpt from Thomas Nast:  Political Cartoonist by Lynda Pflueger]

Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist working for Harper’s Weekly, took it upon himself to harass the Tweed Ring continually with his drawings in an attempt to bring the ring down. During the crusade, Nast often focused his attention on Tweed. In one drawing entitled “Brains” Nast drew Tweed dressed in a three-piece business suit and replaced his head with a money bag to signify the money he had stolen from the city.

Tweed Demanded Pictures Stop

In time, the attention Nast focused on Tweed unnerved the ring’s political boss. Tweed demanded that the pictures be stopped. He did not care what the papers said about him. He knew many of his constituents could not read. “But they can’t help seeing them damned pictures,” Tweed remarked.

Tries to Bribe Nast

In 1871, the Tweed Ring tried to intimidate Nast and then bribe him. One day, an officer from the Broadway Bank, where the Tweed Ring kept its funds, came to visit Nast at his home. The banker told Nast that a group of wealthy men who admired Nast’s work wanted to send him to Europe to study art. He told Nast that they would pay him one hundred thousand dollars if he would go.

Nast was suspicious, and asked if they would raise the fee to two hundred thousand dollars. The banker said yes and added, “You need study and need rest. Besides, the Ring business will get you into trouble. They own all the judges and jurors and can get you locked up for libel. My advice is to take the money and get away.”

Nast convinced the Tweed Ring was trying to bribe him, asked “Don’t you think I could get five hundred thousand dollars to make the trip?”

The banker replied without hesitation, “You can get five hundred thousand dollars in gold to drop this Ring business and get out of the country.”

“Well, I don’t think I’ll do it,” replied Nast. “I made my mind up long ago to put some of those fellows behind bars and I’m going to put them there.”

[Excerpt from Thomas Nast: Political Cartoonist by Lynda Pflueger and e-book]

William M. Tweed

After the Civil War, New York City’s population was growing at a tremendous rate. Hundreds of immigrants, mostly from Ireland and Germany, arrived in the city each month. Business was booming and nearly three-fourths of the nation’s imports passed through the New York Harbor. The city’s government was overwhelmed and could not keep pace with the changes.

Political Empire

William M. Tweed, a charming but corrupt politician, took advantage of this situation and built himself a political empire. He was a huge man who stood almost six feet tall and weighed three hundred pounds. Previously, he had been a chair maker, saddler, bookkeeper, fireman, state congressman, and a lawyer. With his commanding presence and charming ways, he soon came to the attention of the leaders of the Democratic Party. In 1863, he became the leader of the party and took control of the city’s government. With the help of three associates, he formed the Tweed Ring and people began calling him “Boss Tweed.” Tweed’s partners in crime were Peter B. Sweeney, Richard B. Connolly, and A. Oakey Hall.

Peter Sweeney

Peter Sweeney was short with black eyes, had a walrus mustache, and a full head of bushy black hair. Many observers felt Sweeney was the brains behind the ring. A cold man with few friends, Sweeney became the city’s chamberlain in the fall of 1867. This was an important appointment. The city chamberlain “controlled the depositing of the city’s funds into bank accounts

Richard Connolly

Born in Ireland, Richard Connolly was extremely popular with Irish immigrants. He was a large portly man with a round, clean-shaved face. He continually wore a stovepipe hat, even indoors, which exaggerated his height. His neat penmanship and ability to keep track of vast sums of money made him a valuable member of the ring. His friends call him “Slippery Dick,” and Tweed appointed him to the post of city controller.

A. Oakey Hall

The most colorful member of the ring was A. Oakey Hall. He was short and wiry, liked colorful clothes, and wore a different necktie and cuff links every day. His nickname was “Elegant Oakey.” He had been a successful newspaper reporter, lawyer, lobbyist, playwright, and actor. Hall married well and was a member of the New York City’s upper class. In 1868, he was elected mayor. His role “was to act as a liaison between the Ring and New York society.”

Elections

The Rings primary source of power came from awarding citizenship to immigrants by the hundreds. In 1868, the Tweed Ring ran one of the most crooked elections in New York City’s history. Their campaign to award citizenship and voting privileges to as many new immigrants as they could find netted 41,112 new voters. Many of the new voters were illegally registered in several sections of the city and proceeded to cast their votes repeatedly. The repeaters received five dollars for each vote they cast and they each voted an average of nine times. Consequently, nearly “8 percent more votes were cast then the entire voting population of the city.”

Construction Projects

The ring also made fortunes by overcharging on city construction projects. Contractors kicked back sixty-five percent of what they charged to the Tweed Ring. If a contractor could do a job for thirty-five thousand dollars, he would charge the city one hundred thousand dollars and pay the ring sixty-five thousand dollars for the privilege of doing the job. Many New Yorkers were concerned about the operations of the Tweed Ring, but there was no solid proof of the ring’s activities.

 [Excerpt from Thomas Nast:  Political Cartoonist by Lynda Pflueger]

Summer time is a great time for young people to relax and sit down and read a book. Below are five of my favorite biographies and two autobiographies for teenagers ages 12 and older.  These books can be found in online bookstores online  libraries.

Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During WW II and the Librarian who Made a Difference

By Joanne Oppenheim

Published by Scholastic Nonfiction

In the early 1940’s, Clara Breed was the children’s librarian at the San Diego Public Library. This is the moving story of the correspondence between Breed and her young Japanese American friends who were internees during World War II.

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery

By Steve Sheinkin

Published by Flash Point

Most people know that Benedict Arnold was America’s most notorious traitor. Few know that he was also one of its greatest war heroes. Arnold was reckless, heroic, and driven. The Notorious Benedict Arnold is the winner of the 2011 Boston Globe – Horn Book Award for Nonfiction.

[Sheinkin is a fabulous author who always tells a good tale. I recommend all his books.]

Parallel Journeys

By Eleanor H. Ayer

Published by Aladdin

This is a gripping tale of Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck. They were born just a few miles from each other in the German Rhineland. She was a young German Jew. He was an ardent member of the Hitler Youth. Their lives took radically different courses: Helen’s to the Auschwitz extermination camp; Alfons to a high rank in the Hitler Youth.

Frida & Diego: Art, Love, Life Hardcover 

By Catherine Reff

Published by Clarion Books

Catherine Reef’s inspiring and insightful dual biography tells the story of Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. They lived nontraditional, controversial, rebellious, and politically unpredictable lives but are best remembered for their provocative paintings and their deep love for each other.

The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia (Autobiography)

By Ester Hautzig

Published by Harper Collins

For five years, Ester and her family lived in exile in Siberia.  They weeded potato fields and worked in the mines, struggling to find food and clothing to survive. Her family had been arrested by the Russians who called them “capitalists — enemies of the people.” They were forced to leave their home in Vilna, Poland and herded into crowded cattle cars and sent into exile.

How I Came to Be a Writer 

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Published by Aladdin

How I Came to be a Writer is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s story about her writing, from her first work in kindergarten to her most recent books. The book includes samples of her writing and shows the inner workings of the writing process, from the spark of an idea to a book’s actual publication. Naylor has written more than 80 books for children and adults including  Eddie, Incorporated and The Solomon System.

Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue

By Kathryn J. Atwood

Published by Chicago Review Press

Women Heroes of World War II contains twenty-six captivating and suspenseful stories about women resistance fighters. Noor Inayat Kahn was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and sent crucial messages back to the Allies. Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Nazi Gestapo. Hannie Schaft , a law student, became involved in sabotage, weapons transfers, and assassinations.

Happy Reading!

Summer time is a great time for children to relax and sit down and read a book. Below are six of my favorite biographies for ages 9 to 12.

Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Bravest

By Ann Bausum

Published by National Geographic Children’s Books

The moving story of an orphan pup who was adopted by Private Robert Conroy while attending basic training in 1917.  Conroy smuggled Stubby abroad when his unit was shipped out to France.  By the time Stubby was discovered, he had perfected his right-paw salute.  His antics charmed the commander of the unit.  He award Stubby mascot status and sent him into the battle field with Conroy.

Through My Eyes 

By Ruby Bridges and Margo Lundell (Compiler and Editor)

 Published by Scholastic Press

On November 14, 1960, a tiny six-year-old black child, surrounded by federal marshals, walked through a mob of screaming segregationists and into her school. From where she sat in the office, Ruby Bridges could see parents marching through the halls and taking their children out of classrooms.

Shipwrecked!: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy 

By Rhoda 

 Published by HarperCollins

In the 1800’s in Japan, it was the law – if anyone left Japan and went to another country and then tried to return to Japan, they would be put to death. When fourteen-year-old Manjiro, working on a fishing boat to help support his family, was shipwrecked three hundred miles away from his homeland, he was heartbroken to think that he would never again be able to go home.

My Life in Dog Years 

By Gary Paulsen and Illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

Publisher by Yearling

My Life in Dog Years is a book for every dog lover and every Paulsen fan–a perfect combination that shows vividly the joy and wisdom that come from growing up with man’s best friend.
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George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War 

By Thomas B. Allen 

Published by National Geographic Children’s Books
In 1775, George Washington finds himself in serious trouble. At war with Britain, the world’s most powerful empire, his ragtag army possesses only a few muskets, some cannons, and no money. The Americans’ only hope is to wage an invisible war—a war of spies, intelligence networks, and deception.

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart 

By Candace Fleming

Published by Schwartz & Wade

Through alternating chapters, Fleming deftly moves readers back and forth between Amelia’s life (from childhood up until her last flight) and the exhaustive search for her and her missing plane. With photos, maps, and handwritten notes from Amelia herself—plus informative sidebars tackling everything from the history of flight to what Amelia liked to eat while flying (tomato soup)—this unique nonfiction title is tailor-made for middle graders.

Summer time is a great time relax and sit down and read with your children.  Below are seven of my favorite picture book biographies.

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein 

By Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

Published by Chronicle Books

Albert Einstein was a man of genius recognized all over the world for developing a profound understanding of the universe. Jennifer Berne and Vladimir Radunsky take readers along on Einstein’s journey full of curiosity, laughter, and scientific discovery.

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art

By Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Mary Grandpre

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy who studied math and history. He practiced the piano, sat up straight, and was perfectly polite. When his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers. But Kandinsky had other ideas.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell

By Tanya Lee Stone and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

In the 1830’s, Elizabeth Blackwell would not take no for an answer. She refused to believe that women weren’t smart enough or too weak to become doctors. She led for way for women to be accepted in the field of medicine.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau

By Jennifer Berne  and illustrated by Eric Puybaret

Published by Chronicle Books

Jacques Cousteau was a curious little boy who grew up to be an international oceanographer and champion of the seas. This lovely book, with poetic text and gorgeous illustrations, portrays an inspiring and magical portrait of Cousteau.

Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever

By H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Published by Beach Lane Books

Kate Olivia Sessions was the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science. After graduation, she took a job teaching in the dry desert town of San Diego where there were almost no trees. Kate decided that San Diego needed trees. So single handedly started a movement to turn San Diego into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today.

Rosa

By Nikki Giovanni and illustration by Bryan Collier

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

This book is a tribute to Rosa Parks who over fifty years ago refused to give up her seat in the white section of a city bus and was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa was a 2006 Caldecott Honor Book and the winner of the 2006 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

Barnum’s Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World

By Tracey Fern and illustrated by Boris Kulikov

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Barnum Brown’s parents named him after the circus tycoon P.T. Barnum. They hoped he would do something extraordinary. And he did! He became a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History and discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Barnum’s Bones is one The Washington Post‘s Best Kids Books of 2012.

Happy Reading!

While snooping around and finding tidbits about American President’s, I uncovered these interesting facts about American First Ladies.

Dolley Madison

Aaron Burr introduced Dolley to her future husband, James Madison. Since Madison was not a Quaker, she was expelled from the Society of Friends for marrying outside her faith. Dolley was the first president’s wife to attend his inauguration and to be given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress.

Sarah Polk

James Polk’s wife worked as his secretary without taking a salary.  While living in the White House, she banned dancing, card games and hard liquor at official receptions.  Since attending White House functions were a sober affair, she earned the nickname “Sahara Sarah.”

Mary Todd Lincoln

Before marrying Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd was courted by Stephen Douglas, Lincoln’s great political rival. Mary was only 5’ 2” and Lincoln towered over her at 6’4”.  She was the first president’s wife to hold seances in the White House.

Edith Wilson

In 1919, when President Wilson had a severe stroke, Edith controlled who had access to her husband.  This lead Senator Albert Fall to declare she was the head of the “Petticoat Government.”

Louise Hoover

Louise (Lou) Hoover was the first woman in the United States to graduate from college with a degree in geology.  She also spoke five languages fluently including Chinese. President Hoover also spoke Chinese and when the couple did not want others to know what they were saying, they spoke Chinese.

10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11 (Ten True Tales) Paperback 

By Allan Zullo

Published by Scholastic Nonfiction

Allan Zullo’s book contains ten true stories of true American heroes on the day that changed America, September 11, 2001.

The Wild Life of Jane Goodall Hardcover

By Anita Silvery with a Foreword from Jane Goodall

Published by National Geographic Children’s Books

Silvey’s book tells the story of Goodall’s fascination with animals when she was growing up and her ground breaking research with chimpanzees in Africa.  Goodall’s forward to the book is a “call to action” for readers to do their part to preserve or world and the animals in it.

Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent 

By Pearl Witherington Cornioley

Published by Chicago Review Press

Cornioley was one of the most celebrated female resistance fighters of World War II.  In her autobiography she shares her remarkable story of working with the British Special Operations Executive (SEO).

 The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams

By Tanya Lee Stone and Illustrated by Kathryn Brown

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

This is a moving story of Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.  Addams turned her house into a community center which help transform a poor neighborhood in Chicago.

 Happy Reading!