Clay Risen, author of The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for The Civil Rights Act, will hold a book discussion and signing at the Westbury Memorial Public Library on Oct. 19. The free event will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the library’s meeting room.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Risen’s book brings to light a never-before thoroughly explored critical turning point in American history. In The Bill of the Century, Risen presents not just an inside story of the politics involved but a true account of the movement itself, detailing the historic battle waged from the streets of the deep South to the halls of Congress to bring this revolutionary bill into law.
“My book gets into everything that went into this important moment in our country’s history. People all over the country—not just politicians—but every day Americans came together to pass a bill that, in the end, was even stronger than what was produced,” said Risen. “These issues continue to be present in America today and for people to really understand it is important to look back at what was and wasn’t accomplished 50 years ago.”
Released in April by Bloomsbury and flagged a ‘history pick of the summer’ by Amazon.com, The Bill of the Century is Risen’s third published work. He is the author of A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination, which received stellar praise as a ‘crucial addition to civil rights history’ by Publishers Weekly. Additionally, he authored American Whiskey, Bourbon and Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s Favorite Spirit, an A-to-Z directory by brand and/or maker offering brief histories, ratings and tasting notes for 207 types of American whiskey.
Risen encourages anyone “interested in really understanding the broad context of race and civil rights in this country” to read The Bill of the Century and attend his discussion and signing. He is personally looking forward to the Westbury library program.
“As a book and library lover I am looking forward to the opportunity to present in that context,” said Risen. “Some of the best discussions take place in a community setting and I am looking forward to the local community coming out.”
The book discussion and signing at the Westbury Library is free and open to the public. Copies of The Bill of the Century will be available for purchase at the event. For more information visit www.WestburyLibrary.org or call 516-333-0176.
— From the Westbury Memorial Public Library
