Blog Archives
Extraordinary Life and Legacy
South Carolina’s Matilda Evans is a sweeping tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans, the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. What inspired you to tell Dr. Evan’s story?
I found inspiration to share Dr. Evans’ story upon realizing our ancestral connection through my maternal lineage. It turns out that Dr. Evans’ grandfather, Harry Corley, was the half-brother of my ancestor, Lavinia Corley Thompson. Additionally, I learned that Dr. Evans’ mother, Harriet Corley Evans, played a pivotal role as one of the founders of my maternal family church, Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church, located near Springfield, South Carolina. These familial ties, combined with Dr. Evans’ remarkable achievement as South Carolina’s first African American woman licensed to practice medicine, ignited my curiosity to delve deeper into her life. Most notably, the absence of an official record of Dr. Evans’ story motivated me to conduct further research and study her extraordinary journey.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
Dr. Evans impressed me with her well-rounded and innovative approach to medicine. She utilized animal bones in surgical procedures, developed a mineral spring water product called Villanova for patients with kidney issues, and established a free clinic to serve underserved communities during the Great Depression in 1930. Her clinic garnered support from prominent African American figures, including Dr. George Washington Carver and Cab Calloway, who contributed to fundraising efforts. Additionally, Dr. Evans demonstrated her compassion by caring for a child abandoned on her doorstep.
How did you decide what aspects of her life to include or leave out when telling her story, and what are the key takeaways you want readers to remember about Dr. Evans?
We aimed to showcase events and experiences that reflect the diverse life of Dr. Matilda Evans, encompassing her medical career, civic engagement, and entrepreneurial ventures. Our research drew from both primary and secondary sources, including Dr. Evans’ own insights found in her book, Martha Schofield, Pioneer Negro Educator. This biography highlights the significant contributions of her mentor, Martha Schofield, an influential African American educator who profoundly impacted the post-Civil War South. Through the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans, we hope to inspire readers to explore and appreciate the vital contributions of African Americans in South Carolina and across the nation.
What is the next book that you are writing, and when will that be published?
We are considering plans for a future sequel to the book and exploring additional projects focused on preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr. Evans.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Arcadia Publishing | Amazon
Matilda Arabella Evans was born four years after the abolition of slavery and raised on a family farm in eastern Aiken County. She was the first African American woman in South Carolina to obtain a medical license and fervently championed better healthcare for African Americans, with a particular focus on children. Her early life experiences, academic accomplishments, strong religious beliefs and innovative medical approaches made her a crucial figure in enhancing healthcare accessibility for families in South Carolina, especially during the difficult era of racial segregation, when she also served as a civic advocate to uplift her local community. Authors Dr. Walter B. Curry, Beverly Aiken Muhammad and Anusha Ghosh reveal the inspirational story of Dr. Evans and her remarkable journey throughout her career.
Mrs. Orcutt’s Driveway
C.V. Wooster’s Mrs. Orcutt’s Driveway is a beautifully written historical narrative that centers on Margaret “Bonnie” Orcutt, a brilliant but defiant woman who built a life and then defended it in the Mojave Desert. Told with emotional depth and journalistic care, the book chronicles Bonnie’s journey from cultured harpist and biochemistry scholar in Indiana to desert homesteader fighting off a government highway project with nothing but her words and her will. It’s part biography, part environmental elegy, and part protest memoir. The prose lifts up not just Bonnie’s life, but the lives of all who resist erasure in quiet and persistent ways.
I was immediately swept away by the writing. It’s personal and poetic without being saccharine and sharp without being cynical. The author clearly adores his subject, but he never turns her into a saint. Bonnie is brilliant and fierce, but she’s also complicated, stubborn, reclusive, maybe even paranoid at times. And I loved that. The book doesn’t just build her legacy; it lets her be human. The rhythm of the storytelling shifts like the desert itself. One moment soft and reflective, the next hard and unflinching. I found myself holding my breath during Kenneth’s plane crash, and again when Bonnie faced the cold machinery of the law. And don’t even get me started on the heartbreaking detail about her planting brass nameplates in the dirt.
But what really stuck with me wasn’t the tragedy, it was the grit. The raw, unfiltered toughness of a woman who just refused to be moved. Bonnie built her adobe home with her own hands, embedded gun ports in the walls, raised fish in a desert pond, and used her typewriter like a sword. I found myself cheering for her, even when I didn’t fully agree with her methods. There’s something satisfying about watching someone hold their ground when the world expects them to vanish quietly. Wooster never loses sight of that emotional center, and it gives the book its power. It’s not just about what happened. It’s about what it meant.
If you value stories that breathe life into forgotten lives, that examine resilience without glamorizing it, that recognize the sacredness of land and memory, then this is for you. Mrs. Orcutt’s Driveway is a haunting and deeply moving tribute to one woman’s refusal to fade away. It reminded me that sometimes the biggest battles are fought by the quietest people, and that every driveway, no matter how dusty or cracked, can be a frontline.
Pages: 131 | ASIN : B0DN9R8KVN
Killing Shore: The True Story of Hitler’s U-boats Off the New Jersey Coast
Killing Shore, the inaugural work of K. A. Nelson, distinguishes itself as an insightful foray into the realm of historical non-fiction, skillfully blending rigorous research with a compelling narrative. The book delves into the lesser-known exploits of Nazi submarines in the Western Hemisphere during World War II.
Nelson structures the narrative in three distinct parts. The first and third sections are dedicated to a detailed historical analysis, shedding light on the operational strategies of German U-boats near New Jersey and the factors contributing to their eventual defeat. Here, Nelson’s meticulous approach to research is evident, as he draws from a wealth of primary sources, including military archives from the United States, Britain, and even German logbooks. This thorough groundwork enables him to reconstruct the complex maneuvers and intentions of the Nazi forces with clarity and precision.
The most striking section, in my view, is the second part. Nelson shifts his focus to vividly portray life aboard the U-boats through first-hand accounts. He introduces a diverse cast of personalities, ranging from German to US commanders, and deftly weaves their personal stories into the larger tapestry of historical events. The vivid depiction of submarine warfare’s intensity, often echoing the suspense of a thriller, showcases Nelson’s ability to transcend the boundaries of traditional non-fiction.
Nelson’s expertise in exploring the technical aspects of submarine warfare is particularly noteworthy. He meticulously explains the design and functionality of these formidable machines, providing a detailed yet accessible account of their role in the conflict. This deep dive into the mechanics of submarines offers a unique perspective on the technological challenges faced by both the Allies and the Axis powers. Nelson’s narrative style ensures that the subject, which could easily become tedious in less capable hands, remains engaging throughout. He employs a vivid, almost cinematic approach to storytelling, bringing each anecdote to life with remarkable intensity. The book serves as an informative read for those with a keen interest in World War II naval warfare. It offers a captivating exploration of human resilience and ingenuity under duress.
In Killing Shore, Nelson respectfully and evocatively illuminates the struggles and triumphs of real-life figures. His ability to balance the technical aspects of warfare with the human dimension makes the book a compelling read, not just for history enthusiasts but also for a broader audience.
Pages: 761 | ASIN : B0CW1SRNC6
LITERARY TITAN 