Make Sense of the Civil War With New Series at Baldwin Public Library

History buffs may want to sit up and pay attention.

Starting tonight, the will be hosting a free five-part reading and discussion series, "Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War."

"We are delighted to have been chosen to host this unique series that will allow patrons a chance to discuss the legacy of the Civil War with fellow community members and with the help of a well-qualified scholar," said Matt Church, associate director at Baldwin Public Library.

, which was developed by the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant is part of those organizations' efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

In Birmingham and Oakland County, local support has been provided by the and the Oakland County Historical Commission.

Leading the readings and discussions will be Roy Finkenbine, professor and chair of history at the University of Detroit-Mercy. The works discussed will be:

• March by Geraldine Brooks
• Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam by James McPherson
• America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries, an anthology of historical fiction, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biography and short stories, edited by Edward L Ayers.

The readings and discussions begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled for March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1 and May 15.

To obtain copies of all program materials and to register for the series, contact Matt Church at 248-554-4682 or by emailing matt.church@baldiwnlib.org.