Reviews

“An engaging and beautifully written history.”
Oregon Historical Quarterly weighs in with a strong review by Johanna Ogden, who has researched the Camp Angel story and understands the complexity of the tale. “I was deeply moved by the story of resistance and transformation McQuiddy has spun from oral histories, books, articles, manuscripts, and original interviews,” Ogden writes. “He captures the stunning intentionality of people with outrageous goals and their unlikely impact. It made me ache for a similar possibility.” Read the full review here.

“This is a great book, and I hope you will consider reading it!”
Thomas Lauderdale, of the irrepressible Pink Martini (and also a scholar of Pacific Northwest literature and history), has shared his thoughts on reading Here on the Edge. Check out his message on the Pink Martini website, and also his post on Facebook.

“Steve McQuiddy has blown the sands off a story that still has me shaking my head in wonder,”
Some background about Here on the Edge from award-winning Register-Guard columnist Bob Welch.

“Fascinating, funny, and surprising on every page.”
Here on the Edge is a “Staff Pick” from Adam at Grass Roots Books, the locally-owned, independent bookstore in downtown Corvallis since 1971. That’s right: 1971. They’ve been doing business in a real store for 43 years. And now you can support them even if you don’t live there. Buy Here on the Edge through a local, independent bookseller!

KLCC, 87.9 FM: Eugene City Club talk, 3/28/14
“World War II, Conscientious Objectors on the Oregon Coast, and Seeds of the Sixties” was the title of my talk at the Eugene City Club. Broadcast on KLCC and available online. Be sure to check out the Q&A session — lots of thoughtful questions!

Library Journal: Review, 2/14/14
The primary source of library reviews places Here on the Edge adjacent to Robert M. Gates’s “Memoirs of a Secretary at War.” The editors must have had a field day!

Edge featured on OHS Recommended Reading List
Here on the Edge is highlighted on the Oregon Historical Society’s suggested reading list for January. You can order a copy through their Museum Store. I’ll also be giving a slideshow talk and signing copies at the History Pub at McMenamins Kennedy School on Jan. 27. Book sales will be handled by OHS there as well. Support your neighborhood bookstores and regional institutions. Buy local!

Steve McQuiddy’s Essential Oregon Books
I’ll be up in Portland at the Oregon Humanities Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 17, signing books and exchanging stories. They asked me about a book that changed my view of Oregon. Two titles immediately came to mind. Read about them here.

Bellingham Herald: Review, 11/25/13
“Here on the Edge spotlights a small but seminal movement that had a lasting impact and ought not be forgotten,” says the Bookmonger.

Shelf Awareness: Review, 11/12/13
Here on the Edge is “fascinating” and “a significant cultural history,” says Shelf Awareness, the leading daily e-newsletter for booksellers and readers.

Essay in Eugene Weekly, 10/31/13
I’d already written a handful of short pieces on the book for mainstream media outlets. But Eugene Weekly is an alternative newspaper (and a damn fine one). They wanted something that the mainstream press hadn’t printed, so I sat down and thought about my research on war and peace and how we treat dissent in this country. Here’s what I found…

“Between the Covers” interview on KBOO
Had a nice interview in October 2013 on KBOO radio’s “Between the Covers” program. By the way, KBOO is a true heir to Berkeley’s KPFA, the original community radio station founded by Lewis Hill, a World War II conscientious objector with ties to the Fine Arts at Waldport.

Exclusive Essay on Powells.com
Gearing up for my Powell’s event on Oct. 23. They’ve posted my essay going into more depth on the backstory for the book, with many links to authors. Read it here.

Essay in the Oregonian
Read how I discovered the Fine Arts at Waldport, published in the Portland Oregonian.

Here on the Edge publication announcement: Click here for press release