From an author

David Fiske, writer/researcher.

[dafiske]

Interview on The Historians Podcast

I am interviewed for Bob Cudmore's "The HIstorians" podcast, in advance of my appearance at Solomon Northup Day on July 20, 2019, in Willsboro, NY I talk about kidnapping victim Eli Terry, from Indiana.  https://soundcloud.com/obudmore/david-fiskethe-historiansfriday-july-12-2019

[dafiske]

African Americans’ Pilgrimages to John Brown Farm

My article, "Historical Pilgrimages to the John Brown’s Farm," about how African Americans honored the memory of abolitionist John Brown by trekking to his homestead in upstate New York.

https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2019/05/historical-pilgrimages-to-the-john-browns-farm.html

[dafiske]

By David Fiske, Special to The Chronicle Ken Perry’s letter about some local aspects of the Solom...

[dafiske]

Charles Zimmy’s 1937 Swim from Albany to Manhattan

On August 23, 1937 a physician checked out Charles Zimmy at the Albany Yacht Club, which was located at the bottom of State Street hill. The doc’s approval having been given, some young men from Al…

An article I wrote on legless marathon swimmer and vaudeville performer, Charles “Zimmy” Ziebelman. 

[dafiske]

Abandonment Issues

The people obsessed with Maine’s abandoned places.

I’m included in this article in Bangor Metro magazine.

[dafiske]

Emancipation Day, Washington, D. C.

My article on The Root, about how slavery was eliminated from the District of Columbia--in 1862, during the Civil War. The process was not entirely straightforward. http://www.theroot.com/articles/history/2016/04/emancipation_day_the_end_of_slavery_in_the_capital_of_a_free_nation_over.html

[dafiske]

The Fascinating Madame Sherri

My guest post about Madame Sherri on the Happily Blended blog. The ruins of Madame Sherri's "castle" still greet hikers in southern New Hampshire. After a career in show business in New York City, Sherri had a unique house built in rural New Hampshire, where she amused the locals with her antics.  http://happilyblended.com/2016/04/fascinating-madame-sherri/

[dafiske]

“Baby” McKee and a First Lady at Saratoga

Here is a link to my article about Benjamin Harrison “Baby” McKee, the grandson of President Benjamin Harrison, and his mother, who filled in as first lady at the White House after the death of her mother. http://newyorkhistoryblog.org/2016/03/17/baby-mckee-early-american-child-celebrity/

[dafiske]

New York Times notes book on kidnapping

My book, Solomon Northup’s Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War, was noted in this column by Sam Roberts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/nyregion/kenneth-goldsmiths-found-poetry-about-new-york.html?_r=0

[dafiske]

Sumner H. Lark

This is an article I wrote for the New York History Blog about African American publisher and lawyer Sumner H. Lark. He paved the way for an African American community in Putnam Valley, New York. 

http://newyorkhistoryblog.org/2016/02/18/sumner-larks-putnam-county-african-american-projects/

[dafiske]

Ella Madison

My New York History Blog article about African American entertainer Ella Madison:

http://newyorkhistoryblog.org/2016/02/01/african-american-stage-performer-ella-madison/

[dafiske]

Associated Press item on my new book, Solomon Northup’s Kindred

Solomon Northup, author of Twelve Years a Slave, was by no means the only person to be kidnapped and sold into slavery. My new book tells of some of the others: The title is Solomon Northup’s Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War.

Read about it here:

http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/article56228800.html

[dafiske]

Kindle: Solomon Northup’s Kindred

My latest book, Solomon Northup's Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Blacks before the Civil War, appears to be available now as an e-book. Below is the link to the Kindle page--it also seems to be available as an e-book from other vendors, such as Google Books. http://www.amazon.com/Solomon-Northups-Kindred-Kidnapping-Citizens-ebook/dp/B01ACFB80S

[dafiske]

Author to Sign Books about People Sold into Slavery

David Fiske will be signing copies of his latest book, Solomon Northup's Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War, at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, on Saturday, March 12, 2016, 3 pm.

The true story of Solomon Northup, who was lured from his home in Saratoga Springs, New York, and sold into slavery, was related in the Oscar-winning film, 12 Years a Slave. But, Northup's victimization was not an isolated incident. Many other people were either abducted or duped into leaving home, only to be enslaved in southern states. Fiske (who co-authored a previous book, Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave) now has researched and written a book that details how and why such kidnappings occurred, and that documents the experiences of many kidnapping victims.

Solomon Northup's Kindred has earned praise from reviewers. Harvard's Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has observed that: 

"Fiske's efforts to document these victims and the crimes that robbed them of their families and freedom are heroic indeed and should be applauded."

Light refreshments will be offered. For more information, contact The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Avenue, Albany New York, 518-489-4761. Web site: www.bhny.com

[dafiske]

Book-signing in Hudson Falls, NY

I'll be one of several authors participating in the Holiday Book Bazaar at the Village Booksmith, 223 Main Street, Hudson Falls, New York. The December 5th event is free and will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm. You can call the store at 518-747-3261 if you have questions. I will be selling and signing the following titles: Solomon Northup: His Life Before and After Slavery, Solomon Norhup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave, Forgotten on the Kennebec: Abandoned Places and Quirky People, Madame Sherri - The Special Edition, and Ballston Spa History Walkaround: A Guide to Historic Places and Interesting People.

[dafiske]

See me at Glens Falls Book Fair in November!

For the 4th straight year, I will be one of the authors at the Glens Falls Chronicle Autumn Leaves Book Fair. It will take place at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, New York, on November 8, 2015--there is no admission charge. I will have various things on display, relating to my various history books and articles. And I love having a chance to chat with readers! The titles I'll have for sale are: - Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave (Northup's life was the subject of the Oscar-winning film 12 Years A Slave--my book tells much more about him than was shown in the film). - Ballston Spa History Walkaround: A Guide to Historic Places and Interesting People (stories about the history-laden village of Ballston Spa, New York). - Forgotten on the Kennebec: Abandoned Places and Quirky People (lost stories of people and places along Maine's Kennebec River). - Madame Sherri: The Special Edition (the fascinating, full story of Madame Sherri--a dancer and costume designer who build a castle-like house in rural New Hampshire, where she bemused the locals with her show-business ways). If you are anywhere near Glens Falls on November 8, check out the book fair and be sure and stop by my table and say hello! 

Info on the Book Fair:

http://www.glensfallschronicle.com/autumn-leaves-the-glens-falls-chronicle-book-fair/

[dafiske]

1928 Prison Break

An article I wrote http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/08/dannemora-prison-break-1928.html