For those of us who love to read, it’s certainly no secret that the local library is a treasure trove.  There’s no better place on Earth to get books, articles, information . . . . . . . an now, The Cranford Public Library is also making it possible for you to meet two acclaimed authors, and even get a book signed by them.  There’s a definite Irish-American theme to the evening.

Terry Golway,  a professor of history at Kean University, served as a columnist and editorial board member at the New York Times, and was an editor and writer at the New York Observer. He has published several books on various aspects of American history. At this event, he will talk about his latest book, entitled Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. The book description on Amazon.com explains”, For decades, history has considered Tammany Hall, New York’s famous political machine, shorthand for the worst of urban politics: graft, crime, and patronage personified by notoriously corrupt characters. Infamous crooks like William “Boss” Tweed dominate traditional histories of Tammany, distorting our understanding of a critical chapter of American political history. In Machine Made, historian and New York City journalist Terry Golway convincingly dismantles these stereotypes; Tammany’s corruption was real, but so was its heretofore forgotten role in protecting marginalized and maligned immigrants in desperate need of a political voice.”

Eamon Loingsigh will also talk about his new book, the first in a trilogy, entitled Light of the Diddicoy,  a fictional, historical-based saga of Irish gangs on the Brooklyn waterfront set in the early twentieth century. Amazon.com describes, “Light of the Diddicoy is the riveting and immersive saga of Irish gangs on the Brooklyn waterfront in the early part of the 20th century, told through the eyes of young newcomer Liam Garrity. Forced at age 14 to travel alone to America after money grew scarce in Ireland, Garrity stumbles directly into the hard-knock streets of the Irish-run waterfront and falls in with a Bridge District gang called the White Hand. Through a series of increasingly tense and brutal scenes, he has no choice but to use any means necessary to survive and carve out his place in a no-holds-barred community living outside the law. The book is the first of Irish-American author Eamon Loingsigh’s Auld Irishtown trilogy, which delves into the stories and lore of the gangs and families growing up in this under-documented area of Brooklyn’s Irish underworld.”

Both authors will have copies of their books available for purchase and for signing, and the event is open to all who would like to attend.  The program, sponsored by the Cranford Public Library, will take place on Thursday, April 10^th, at 7:30 PM, at the Cranford Community Center at 220 Walnut Avenue, adjacent to the library.

Come get your Irish literary on!