The author reads at Symposium Books one year ago today. (photo by Victoria Somlo)
My dear wife, Victoria, just a moment ago reminded me, for some reason, that today a year has passed since the publication of my first book, Lost Providence. It had sold 548 copies as of the end of last year. My publisher, History Press/Arcadia Publishing, will send me my second royalty report at the end of next month.
On the day of publication my book was launched by Symposium Books downtown. I read a chapter then took questions. In the following months I did that or gave a lecture at a couple of dozen locations, most enchantingly at Rosecliff, speaking to the Preservation Society of Newport County. My last talk was before Ann Sussman’s class in the history of modern architecture at Fitchburg State University. Next up, a lecture at Cranston’s Hall Free Library on Saturday, Sept. 22. The date of another lecture in September, for Centerbrook Architects in Essex, Conn., has been postponed.
Well, that should do it for now. So far as I know, the book is not out of print and can still be purchased from bookstores (if it remains in stock) and from Amazon, History Press or other online booksellers.
Architecture Here and There 
Hi, just occurred to me, have you done or thought of doing something at Roger Williams U in conjunction with their Historic Preservation program, assuming it still exists. I’m from (the first) Class of ’79. Kevin Jordan, the late Steve Tyson, and folks whose names I can’t recall at the moment. They insisted we take history of architecture and art for a good reason. Carrying Jansson to class was a pain. Congrats on the anniversary, the book was worth every minute of reading and way more than it cost. Peace,Buddy
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Thank you, Bill. You are truly a gentleman and a scholar. I went back and forth with RWU with both the architecture and the preservation deans (I believe they were) on giving a talk but nothing ever really got firmed up. I’m not sure I would have been the right cup of tea for either program, though I would love to be proven wrong.
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Have you talked at the Redwood library? Going there tonight to learn more about Italian loggias
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Have not had that pleasure, Stan. Enjoy the lecture, but I cannot be there this evening.
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I know of at least one copy that made its way to Australia!
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Thank you, Rob! And I hope your almost impossibly alluring wife read it, too!
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