Must Have a Powerful Publicist to Book this Gig

Submitted by the River City Raven

Bias alert: Don’t read this post thinking I am offering an objective announcement. Tom Swift — the River City Books employee I go to when I want a book that allows me to really find myself — has authored a hardback of his own and, not surprisingly, he’s scheduled an event at the store.

Swift will read from and sign copies of Chief Bender’s Burden at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at River City Books, 306 Division Street. The book is on sale for 20 percent off through the event.

“Chief Bender’s Burden,” published by the University of Nebraska Press, is the story of Charles Albert Bender, Minnesota’s first representative in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the greatest American Indian baseball player of all time. Bender was a bright, courageous pitcher who became a World Series hero despite facing untold prejudice.

The book has received a “starred review” from Library Journal and other positive press. “Journalist Tom Swift has crafted a substantial, vivid story of one of the best pitchers of the game’s early years,” the Boston Phoenix said. “As we look forward to the 2008 campaign … it’s worth remembering a time when it was a bit harder for a Native American to play America’s game.”

Swift is an award-winning journalist, a St. Olaf College graduate and a longtime resident of Northfield. The event is free and everyone reading this post is invited to attend.