The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has announced the finalists in its 31st Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards for excellence in book publishing. Chicago Eternal by Larry Broutman is one of three finalists in the Regional category. The highly regarded IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, which recognize excellence and innovation in independent publishing, are one of the nation’s top honors for independent publishers. Gold and Silver winners will be announced on April 5, 2019 at the gala dinner ceremony at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago. The ceremony is held in conjunction with Chicago’s IBPA Publishing University.

Over 1,500 entrants were thoroughly evaluated by 160 librarians, booksellers, and design and editorial experts during a seven-month judging process. IBPA CEO Angela Bole explained, "Unlike many other award programs, the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards demand both editorial and design excellence and entrants are judged independently on both." With over 3,100 members, IBPA is the largest publishing association in the US.

Already recognized as a finalist in American Book Fest’s Best Book Awards in Photography and praised in many national and local reviews, Chicago Eternal takes readers on a journey through Chicago’s storied past with illuminating photographs of gravestones and mausoleums from thirty Cook County cemeteries. Commentary sheds lights on the rich lives behind the tombstones.

To learn more about the IBPA and this prestigious award, visit:

https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/440987/31st-Annual-IBPA-Benjamin-Franklin-Awards.htm#reg

To get your copy of award-winning Chicago Eternal, go to:

https://www.everythinggoesmedia.com/product-page/chicago-eternal

Pet shop owner.
Petty thief.
Pimp.
Street brawler.
Leader of a street gang 2,000 strong, the most feared on the Lower East Side of New York City by 1900.
Muscle for the corrupt Tammany Hall political machine.
Convict.

A colorful life, and worthy of a biography....but that was only half of Monk Eastman's story.

Having lost his criminal empire while in prison, he would enlist and go off to fight in World War 1.....where his talent for street fighting, and fearless nature would see him cited for bravery, hailed as a hero upon his return home, and his crimes pardoned.

But Monk's past was never far away....and gaining on him.

An engaging biography of a truly unique individual, and a well researched history of both Old New York.

Highly recommended for fans of The Gangs of New York, or anyone who enjoys a well written biography.

I received Advanced Reader's Edition of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program for an honest review.

The story greatest seaborne invasion and one of the greatest airborne operations in history combining to break the Atlantic Wall is known from an overview perspective, but the story of D-Day from a personal perspective really brings home the events of the first 24-hours of D-Day.  Giles Milton covers the first 24-hours of the invasion of Western Europe in Soldier, Sailor, Frogman, Spy, Airman, Gangster, Kill or Die: How the Allies Won on D-Day from both the Allied and German sides.

Milton sets the “scene” by describing how the Allies planned the invasion and how the German planned to stop them.  Once the narrative turns to the invasion, Milton begins following a multitude individuals—some of whom he returns to a few times—over the course of those first pivotal 24 hours.  From the Allied (mostly American) paratroopers landing all over the place confusing themselves as well as the Germans to the mistake by the Allied Supreme Command of not properly bombing the beaches and the struggle on Omaha, the things that could have undermined the Allied invasion are brought out and highlighted.  However, the successes such as the total surprise of the invasion are also brought to life through many perspectives from the retelling by soldiers.  Milton shifts the narrative from West to East in the landing zones to detail the Allied experiences on each as well as South as German defenders and French civilians experienced the firepower of massive invasion, as well chronologically (as well as can be expected) to really bring to the forefront how touch and go that day was.

While Milton certainly constructed a very intriguing historical narrative in covering a 24-hour period from the viewpoint of a multitude of eyewitnesses, this was also the book’s downfall.  The use of so many eyewitnesses resulted in not really establishing familiarity with those that he returns to over the course of the book.  If you are familiar with the film The Longest Day than some of these eyewitnesses will be familiar given the events that Milton chronicles, if not for that I would have gotten lost several times throughout the book.

Soldier, Sailor, Frogman, Spy, Airman, Gangster, Kill or Die: How the Allies Won on D-Day is an ambitious undertaking by Giles Milton that unfortunately does not really come together as a whole.  While the use of a multitude of eyewitnesses can be applauded to create the narrative unfortunately it didn’t work out given the large number Milton used.

Photographer and author Larry Broutman joined WGN-TV Morning News anchors, Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten, in the studio to discuss Chicago Eternal and its many fascinating historic tales.