Media Press Kit for Mary S. Palmer Author of George Wallace: An Enigma
PRESS RELEASE Author Mary S. Palmer s long awaited book on Alabama s Governor George C. Wallace released after forty years. Contact: John O Melveny Woods, Intellect Publishing, LLC at info@intellectpublishing.com 425-922-6580 Photo of author attached. www.georgewallcebook.com September 2016 Palmer has created a uniquely Southern style in telling this story without losing the truth of Wallace s many moral and political contradictions that made him the ultimate prodigal son of politics in the deep South. Patrick Miller, President, Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative New book gives Deeper Understanding of George C. Wallace George Wallace: An Enigma by Mary S. Palmer, is an interpretive glimpse into the life of Alabama s most complex and divisive Governor. Wallace was in the forefront of serious segregation issues facing Alabama and the United States in the second half of the twentieth century. The book shares how he dealt with those issues as Alabama s Governor, a candidate for the presidency, and as a survivor of an attempted assassination. It addresses unequivocally his supporting of white supremacy, a reminder that half a century ago extreme prejudice did exist. Water fountains, soda fountains and restrooms and schools were all segregated. George Wallace did what was politically expedient at the time, opposing any form of desegregation, galvanizing a deeply divided nation. People who loved him were fiercely loyal; those who didn t constantly pointed out and focused on his faults. Although never condoning Wallace and what he stood for, the book explores the complexities of a man who exploited the times for his own aims, and yet deeply regretted doing so later in life. 2
George Wallace: An Enigma, for the first time, paints a complete, never before known portrait of the man who was at the forefront of civil rights obstructionism and Good ole Boy politics. This book takes readers through his youth, to his college days, into the trials of holding Alabama s highest office in times of turmoil. It moves on to his aspirations for the highest office in the United States, to the difficulty of surviving suffering as a permanent invalid while continuing to pursue his political goals, and finally to a personal realization that surprised the author. Some have questioned his sincerity and change of heart later in life, saying that Wallace, again, did what had become politically expedient. Author Mary S. Palmer, through extensive interviews with Wallace in his declining years, posits that Wallace came to realize what he had wrought, and privately sought redemption on a personal level. George Wallace: An Enigma is available at Amazon. Who is this man George Wallace that the media has consistently portrayed as the modern equivalent of Adolph Hitler? Author Mary Palmer has done a meticulous job of peeling back the layers of this complex man. She discusses the changes and convictions that shaped a would-be president to reveal exactly what her title suggests: an enigma. Folks who read Mary s fascinating journey into Wallace s life and times will come to understand the George Wallaces and Atticus Finches of the era: men who honestly and whole heartedly did what [they] believed to be right at the time. Jody Conrad, Adjunct English Instructor, Faulkner University Author Mary Palmer takes us into the tumultuous political scene of George Wallace. George Wallace: An Enigma reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly, of one of the most controversial politicians of our time... and how his views evolved over time Cindy Ingram, Director of Satsuma Public Library Intellect Publishing is an Alabama based Publishing Company that focuses on regional and national issues and titles. www.intellectpublishing.com 3
Author Bio for Mary S. Palmer Mary S. Palmer is a lecturer in English at Faulkner University and is an adjunct instructor at Faulkner State Community College and Huntingdon College. Throughout her writing career, she has published books in a variety of genres science-fiction, true crime, novels, fantasy and biographies. She has also authored two play productions, award-winning short stories and poetry. Mary has a BA in English (cum laude) and a minor in French. She also obtained a MA in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing the first person to receive the degree with the Concentration in Creative Writing at the University of South Alabama. Mary is an avid traveler who loves adventure. She has visited every state in the U.S. and every continent except Antarctica. Wherever her travels take her, she seeks out people to engage and interact with and loves to hear their stories. Drawing from those experiences, she weaves different elements into her writing. In between speaking engagements, interviews, presentations and book signings, Mary is currently working on a few new, exciting projects including a mystery thriller, Fatal Entanglements, and a novella, Joe and Jo, both of which are under consideration by a publisher. Also in the works is A Clean Slate coauthored with Loretta Theriot. PUBLISHED WORKS: Question of Time 2015 Time Was 2014 Chance for Redemption 2013 Baiting the Hook coauthored with David Wilton 2012 To Catch a Fish coauthored with David Wilton 2012 Time Will Tell 2012 Quest for Forgiveness coauthored with James McEnery 2004 False Gods coauthored with Elizabeth Coffman 2006 The Callings coauthored with Loretta Theriot 2002 MemoraMOBILEia: Alabama Gulf Coast Potpourri coauthored with Elizabeth Coffman 1993 AWARDS AND HONORS: Raisin Cain, First Place Award for Tourism Writing sponsored by the Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative and cosponsored with the Alabama Tourism Department. Raisin Cain was mentioned on the floor of the House of Representatives by 4
Congressman Bradley Byrne and became a permanent part of the Congressional Record 2014 Selected as a member of the Baldwin Writers Group and the Six Censorians critique group 2012 to present Dimes and Quarters, Third Place, Essay, Baldwin Writers Group Contest 2011 Joe and Jo, Third Place, Screenplay, The Eugene Walter Writer s Fest with the Department of English of the University of South Alabama 2005 Selected for Who s Who in America 2005 Selected for Marquis Who s Who Among America s Teachers 2002 View the Trailer for the Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y_w1hwsn6q Web Site: www.georgewallacebook.com 5
Reviews for George Wallace: An Enigma Palmer has created a uniquely Southern style in telling this story without losing the truth of Wallace s many moral and political contradictions that made him the ultimate prodigal son of politics in the deep South. Patrick Miller, President, Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative I couldn't stop reading. It's riveting. I had to ask myself why I didn't know how much Wallace accomplished in the state legislature... during those turbulent times. It's amazing. Nolan White, Assistant Editor, Great Days Outdoors Magazine Who is this man George Wallace that the media has consistently portrayed as the modern equivalent of Adolph Hitler? Author Mary Palmer has done a meticulous job of peeling back the layers of this complex man. She discusses the changes and convictions that shaped a would-be president to reveal exactly what her title suggests: an enigma. Folks who read Mary s fascinating journey into Wallace s life and times will come to understand the George Wallaces and Atticus Finches of the era: men who honestly and whole heartedly did what [they] believed to be right at the time. Jody Conrad, Adjunct English Instructor, Faulkner University Author Mary Palmer takes us into the tumultuous political scene of George Wallace. George Wallace: An Enigma reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly, of one of the most controversial politicians of our time... and how his views evolved over time Cindy Ingram, Director of Satsuma Public Library George Wallace An Enigma is a book of fairness and compassion. It is probable that Sigmund Freud himself or the best psychoanalyst in America or abroad could have untangled the complexities of George Corley Wallace. Palmer, however, has shown that Edward Wallis Hoch (Mar 17, 1849 June 1, 1925) was right when he said there was good in the worst of us and bad in the best of us and a good biographer, like Palmer, acknowledges both as she gives a relevant historical perspective into the life and time of one of America s most complex, divisive and controversial governors. 6
Mary Palmer s book is a must read, not only because it is about a governor who would be President, but because it shows us the human side of success and failure. In many ways, the book discloses the sad realities of fame and here we think of Shakespeare s Macbeth when he said: I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself Sue Brannan Walker, Publisher, Negative Capability Press View the Trailer for the Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y_w1hwsn6q Web Site: www.georgewallacebook.com 7
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For Further Information or to Arrange an Interview with the Author Please Contact: John O Melveny Woods, Intellect Publishing, LLC at info@intellectpublishing.com 425-922-6580 www.intellectpublishing.com View the Trailer for the Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y_w1hwsn6q Web Site: www.georgewallacebook.com 10