A Danger Shared Book Talk at Long Brothers Fine & Rare Books
Explore never-before-published photographs of World War II-era China, Vietnam, and beyond captured by American foreign correspondent Melville Jacoby. Author Bill Lascher will discuss his new book, A Danger Shared: A Journalist’s Glimpses of a Continent at War, which features hundreds of previously-unseen images Jacoby captured as he bore witness to an oft-neglected, transformative, and cataclysmic conflict that engulfed Asia after China and Japan went to war.
In addition to photos, Lascher will share one-of-a-kind documents and artifacts from Jacoby’s five years as an exchange student in Guangzhou, as a freelance reporter in Shanghai, Chungking and Hanoi, and, finally, as the Manila-based “Far East” bureau chief for Time Inc. who witnessed the first dramatic months of war between Japan and the U.S. Lascher will also revisit Jacoby’s daring escape from the Philippines capital with his new wife and fellow journalist, Annalee Jacoby, which began minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve, 1941 as the pair leapt from a burning Manila waterfront to begin the adventure described in Lascher’s critically-acclaimed 2016 book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights: The Star-Crossed Love Story of Two WWII Correspondents and Their Epic Escape Across The Pacific.
Jacoby’s photographs — which Lascher curated, digitized, and contextualized for A Danger Shared — and Lascher’s accompanying writing together connect present-day readers with the pivotal yet often overlooked subject of the war’s devastating impact on Asia as well as the broader ramifications of the conflict between China and Japan still felt today.
A Danger Shared Book Launch
Come celebrate the launch of A Danger Shared: A Journalist’s Glimpses of a Continent at War, a new book featuring a young American foreign correspondent’s striking, previously-unpublished World War II-era photographs of China, Vietnam, and elsewhere in Asia during. This event will feature readings from the book as well as Melville Jacoby’s own writing, displays of his photos (including prints), and more. There will also be opportunities to examine historic documents and other artifacts from Mel's time as a student and reporter in China, as well as a few surprises.
Aug. 28, 4 P.M. | Reading at Timbre Books in Ventura, CA
Join us in welcoming historian, author, and Ventura native Bill Lascher for a reading and signing of his latest book, The Golden Fortress: California's Border War on Dust Bowl Refugees.
Books are available to pre-order online here or in the shop. To RSVP, please email books@timbrebooks.com.
Aug. 27, 3 P.M. | Virtual Book Talk With Eric Nusbaum Hosted by Chevalier's Books
Bill Lascher discusses The Golden Fortress in conversation with Eric Nusbaum in a live, virtual event hosted by Chevalier’s Books, via Zoom.
Aug. 25, 7 P.M. | Reading at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA
Bill Lascher returns to Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena to read from and discuss The Golden Fortress: California’s Border War on Dust Bowl Refugees . Bill will also sign copies of the book.
By visiting our in-person event, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Masks are strongly encouraged for this event.
Reading at the MacArthur Memorial
On March 14, 2017, the MacArthur Memorial will host a talk by Bill Lascher, author of Eve of a Hundred Midnights.
Lascher explores the unforgettable true story of married journalists Mel and Annalee Jacoby and their island-hopping run across the Pacific after the fall of Manila during World War II. Eve of A Hundred Midnights is a saga of love, adventure, and danger.
This event is FREE but registration is required. A book signing will follow the talk.
Reading at Mindfair Books in Oberlin, OH
Mindfair Books presents a talk by Bill Lascher, author of Eve of a Hundred Midnights.
The book tells the true story of two newlywed war correspondents’ island-hopping run for their lives across the Pacific after the fall of Manila. Lascher charts the career of Melville Jacoby, who covered China and the Philippines during World War II, and recounts how Mel’s love for China and journalism brought him into the orbit of MGM scriptwriter-turned-journalist Annalee Whitmore, who he married in Manila barely a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lascher, a relative of Jacoby's and a 2002 Oberlin graduate, will discuss the book and how journalists like Mel and Annalee brought the oft-neglected conflict in China and the Philippines to U.S. audiences. Lascher will also discuss how he used archival sources from private and institutional collections to bring the Jacobys’ story to life.
Book Signing and Reading
Please join us on Wednesday, March 8, at 6:00pm for a book signing and reading with Bill Lascher, Salt ’02, for his book Eve of a Hundred Midnights. This event takes place at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at Maine College of Art, in Portland, Maine, in the PhotoLab, located in the Lower Level of the Porteous Building. Free and open to the public.
Reading at Saint Joseph's University
Presented by the Nealis program in Asian Studies
Eve of a Hundred Midnights tells the true story of two newlywed war correspondents’ island-hopping run for their lives across the Pacific after the fall of Manila. Lascher charts the career of Melville Jacoby, who covered China and the Philippines during World War II, and recounts how Mel’s love for China and journalism brought him into the orbit of MGM scriptwriter-turned-journalist Annalee Whitmore, who he married in Manila barely a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lascher, a relative of Jacoby's, will discuss the book and how journalists like Mel and Annalee brought the oft-neglected conflict in China and the Philippines to U.S. audiences. Lascher will also discuss how he used archival sources from private and institutional collections to bring the Jacobys’ story to life.
Oregon Historical Society Book Talk
Members of the Oregon Historical Society and the general public are invited to an afternoon lecture about Eve of a Hundred Midnights. I'll read from the book, share photos, and talk about how journalists like Mel and Annalee brought the oft-neglected conflict in China and the Philippines to U.S. audiences. I will also discuss how I used archival sources from private and institutional collections—including some in Oregon—to bring the Jacobys’ story to life.
Weinstein JCC Book Fair (Richmond, VA)
The Weinstein Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Women's Club host Eve of a Hundred Midnights as part of their annual Book Fair at the Weinstein JCC in Richmond, Virginia.
New Orleans Jewish Community Center
I will read from and discuss Eve of a Hundred Midnights at the Jewish Community Center - Uptown in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the New Orleans JCC's Cathy and Morris Bart Jewish Cultural Arts Series. There is no charge for this event, which is open to JCC members and non-members alike. Independent bookseller Octavia Books will be on hand with copies of the book for signing.
Reading and Signing in Ashland, OR
I'll be coming to Southern Oregon and Ashland's Bloomsbury Books for a fall book reading and signing. I'll be reading from Eve of a Hundred Midnights, signing copies of the book, and sharing some of my favorite examples of Melville Jacoby's photos and films.
Stanford Bookstore
Stanford University students, faculty, alumni and the surrounding community will have the opportunity to celebrate two daring and exciting graduates when I read from and sign Eve of a Hundred Midnights at the Stanford Bookstore on October 27 at 6 p.m. Additional talks and events on campus TBD.
Spotlight Theater/Russo's Books (Bakersfield, CA)
Meet me and Melville Jacoby's cousin, Peggy Stern Cole, in an exclusive event at the Spotlight Theater in Bakersfield's historic Hayden Building. Bakersfield's own Russo's Books will be on hand with copies of Eve of a Hundred Midnights for sale, which I will happily sign.
Discussion in Ventura (RSVP Required)
As part of the law firm of Ferguson Case Orr Paterson's new Engage and Enlighten series, I'll present the story of Eve of a Hundred Midnights and discuss share the research, interviews and travel through China and the Philippines to piece together Mel’s journey, his marriage to the former Annalee Whitmore, and uncover the full drama, adventure and romance of these two daring journalists caught in the upheaval of wartime Asia.
A slide presentation including many of Mel’s personal photos and letters accompanies the discussion. There will be books for sale from Camarillo’s own Mrs. Fig’s Bookworm. Refreshments will be served.
The event takes place at Ferguson Case Orr Paterson's Ventura office at 1050 South Kimball Road, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is free but an RSVP is required. Please call (805) 659-6800 or email cdickey@fcoplaw.com.
Melville Jacoby's 100th Birthday
Happy 100th Birthday to Melville Jacoby! Born on September 11, 1916, Melville Jacoby went on to become one of the most promising correspondents working in wartime China and, after the United States entered World War II, in the Philippines and the Pacific Theater. Indeed, this date also marks the 80th anniversary of the day Mel arrived at Guangzhou, China, to begin a transformative year as an exchange student at Lingnan University.
OPB's Think Out Loud (Rebroadcast)
I'm excited to appear on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Think Out Loud, which bills itself as "the show that listens." Though I'm likely to be on the second half of the hour-long show, do tune in for the full hour, as Think Out Loud often has its finger on the pulse of current events. The show airs on weekdays at 12 p.m., Pacific, and is rebroadcast at 8 p.m (Find OPB at 91.5 in Portland, or go here for other locations: http://www.opb.org/radio/where-to-listen/). It also streams at opb.org and archived episodes can be found at http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/episodes/.
OPB's Think Out Loud
I'm excited to appear on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Think Out Loud, which bills itself as "the show that listens." Though I'm likely to be on the second half of the hour-long show, do tune in for the full hour, as Think Out Loud often has its finger on the pulse of current events. The show airs on weekdays at 12 p.m., Pacific, and is rebroadcast at 8 p.m (Find OPB at 91.5 in Portland, or go here for other locations: http://www.opb.org/radio/where-to-listen/). It also streams at opb.org and archived episodes can be found at http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/episodes/.
Dave Nemo Show
Live Radio Interview on the Dave Nemo Show, hosted by Dave Nemo, on The Road Dog Channel, Sirius XM 146.
Reading at Kepler's Books
Come to Kepler's Books in Menlo Parks on Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. to hear Bill Lascher read from his debut book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights. You will also have a chance to pick up your own copy, have it signed by the author, and perhaps even write on the typewriter wartime journalist and Stanford alum Melville Jacoby used to compose dispatches while on the run through the Pacific.
Reading at the Book Passage
Come to Book Passage at the Ferry Terminal in San Francisco on Saturday, July 9 at 12:30 p.m. to hear Bill Lascher read from his debut book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights. You will also have a chance to pick up your own copy, have it signed by the author, and perhaps even write on the typewriter wartime journalist Melville Jacoby used to compose dispatches while on the run through the Pacific.
Reading at Vroman's Bookstore
Come to Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena on Tuesday, July 5 at 7 p.m. to hear Bill Lascher read from his debut book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights. You will also have a chance to pick up your own copy, have it signed by the author, and perhaps even write on the typewriter wartime journalist Melville Jacoby used to compose dispatches while on the run through the Pacific.
"Jefferson Exchange" Interview
Live interview on the “Jefferson Exchange” show, hosted by Geoff Riley, on Jefferson Public Radio (Ashland, OR).
"AM Ocala Live!" Interview
Live interview on the "AM Ocala Live!" show, hosted by Larry Whittler, on WOCA-AM (Ocala, FL).
"Hippo's in the House" Interview
Radio Appearance on WCCF-AM (Port Charlotte, FL) “Hippo’s in the House” show, hosted by Jeff Collins.
Reading at Elliott Bay Books
Come to Seattle's Elliott Bay Book Company on Sunday, June 26 at 3 p.m. to hear Bill Lascher read from his debut book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights. You will also have a chance to pick up your own copy, have it signed by the author, and perhaps even write on the typewriter wartime journalist Melville Jacoby used to compose dispatches while on the run through the Pacific.
Eve of a Hundred Midnights Book Launch
Come celebrate the release of Eve of a Hundred Midnights at Powell's Books At Cedar Hills Crossing on June 23 at 7 p.m.! Hear Bill Lascher read from the book, pick up your own copy, and have it signed by the author. Bill will also share pictures of Mel, Annalee and the far-flung reaches of wartime China and the Philippines they visited during their adventure. There may even be a visitor or two who knew Mel, as well as a chance to write on the typewriter Mel used to compose some of his most famous dispatches from the war.