Book Tour and Giveaway: Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways / First State, Solid-State by Dave Tabler

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware from Freeways to E-ways / First State, Solid-State by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 133 pages
Genre: History
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all audiences.

"A wide-ranging and captivating review of the twentieth century in America's first state. Whether delivering a sharp analysis of industrious policymaking by state leaders or waxing poetic about the state's dedication to art, culture, and natural beauty, the author's admiration and understanding of the state are on full display. The balance of well-researched history and endearing local tales makes this reading experience both illuminating and entertaining, boasting prose filled with inherent pride and passion, and proving this is a state that should never be overlooked." - Self-Publishing Review

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Book Description:

Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways by Dave Tabler examines the transformative history of Delaware during the 20th century, exploring the transition from physical infrastructure, epitomized by T. Coleman du Pont's pioneering highway, to the digital innovations that culminated in the internet age. Through a blend of meticulous research and engaging narratives, Tabler highlights Delaware's contributions to key industries, social movements, and cultural milestones. From the rise of the du Pont family to the legacy of the Nanticoke people, the book offers a vivid tapestry of events and figures that shaped both the state and the nation.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N  ~ BAM ~ BookShop
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~X ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

DELAWARE FROM FREEWAYS TO E-WAYS Book Review Tour Giveaway

My Review:

I enjoyed reading Dave Tabler's second installment from his Delaware History Overview series called, Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase. I was looking forward to get my hands on book three, Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways: First State; Solid State. I did not hesitate when I had the opportunity to receive a copy. I was not disappointed. The book is rich in history with colorful photographs all throughout. It covers a variety of historical subjects, which includes: museums, world wars, toys, factories, and technologies. I loved learning more and more about the state of Delaware. The photographs provided from the pages are explained more in depth at the end of the book. I thought it was a great and interesting read. My history buff son loved it, as well, and has placed on his own book shelf. 

Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways: First State; Solid State will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for all readers who love to read non fiction particularly those based on the states of Delaware history. I believe it would make a wonderful gift for any Delaware historian. I would love to read more releases in the future from author Dave Tabler. 

I received a soft cover copy of Dave Tabler's Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways: First State; Solid State from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all audiences.

"Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware's 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State.... For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware's 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book." -- AuthorsReading

"Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure." -- Foreword Reviews

​"Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations." -- Booklife

"The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose." -- Kirkus Reviews
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. ...More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past." -- Indie Reader
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage." -- Literary Titan

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Book Description:

Our tiny state continues to make an oversized impact on today’s America. Explore the mind-blowing facts that give Delaware a unique place in history.

Want to know more about the historical depth of the Diamond State? Curious to learn the surprising background behind cypress shingles, Conestoga wagons, and Patty Cannon? Wondering about the origins of George Washington’s famous cherry tree story? Popular blogger and long-time Delawarean Dave Tabler relishes sharing his love of the past with hundreds of thousands of online readers. And now he’s here to celebrate the many fascinating details that make this small first state a real powerhouse.

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

In Delaware from Railways to Freeways, you’ll discover:

• The illustrator responsible for the modern-day version of Robin Hood
• Which innovative minds were behind Christmas Seals, RCA Victrola, and other cool contraptions
• How roads were built, the iron industry rose up, and breakwaters and ferries expanded
• Fun facts about the state fair, the founding of the A.M.E. Church, and a flying machine
• The Civil War & Reconstruction era, The Gilded Age & Beyond, and much, much more!

Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the perfect combination of coffee table book and reference resource and is the second volume in the Delaware History Overview series. If you like photography from the past, engrossing regional tales, and adaptive teaching tools, then you’ll adore Dave Tabler’s fresh retrospective.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N  ~ BAM
Indiebound ~ BookShop ~ BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

---

Enter the Giveaway:

DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS Book Review Tour Giveaway

My Review: 

As soon as I opened the package with Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase inside, it was struggle to get it back from my twelve year old son’s hands. He loves anything historical and he quickly dove in and started reading it. He greatly enjoyed it with all of the pictures and illustrations that is throughout the whole book. He would not quit talking about it.

Once I finally had the chance to read Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase for myself, I understood his excitement. I found it interesting to read different customs and folklores of the times in addition to the history I have not heard of before. It was captivating to read. The author obviously did his research to bring this book to life. I thought it was great. 

Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for all readers who love to read non fiction that is rich in history, particularly United States of America. I believe it would make a wonderful gift for any history buff of any age. I would love to read more books like this one from Dave Tabler in the future. 

I received a paperback copy of Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Spotlight Book Tour and Giveaway: Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Content Rating: G. None needed. Works for all audiences.

"Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware's 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State.... For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware's 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book." -- AuthorsReading

"Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure." -- Foreword Reviews

​"Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations." -- Booklife

"The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose." -- Kirkus Reviews
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. ...More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past." -- Indie Reader
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage." -- Literary Titan

---

Book Description:

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N  ~ BAM
Indiebound ~ BookShop ~ BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Interview: 

What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Uncovering the emotional truth in a historical scene. When history is written without a heartbeat, it reads like a tedious list of dates, battles, and treaties that feel a world away from our own. So, my task is to dig out the human heart beating at the center of those events.

For example?

I’m working right now on the third book in my series about Delaware history, “Delaware from Freeways to E-Ways.” One of the segments deals with the first airport built in Delaware. The federal government swept through at the beginning of WWII and instructed the state to create airports in each county for defense purposes. The move required the use of eminent domain to get the airports built quickly. Now, I could have related the story in a very neutral tone and just told that reader that land was acquired, that the building began on thus and such date and completed in x number of months. I could have talked about the capacity of the airport, and what types of military uses it was put to. Instead, I focused on the impact of eminent domain on the very last family to hold out. This family had lived on that land for generations. Their ancestors were all buried nearby. This wasn’t just a parcel of land. It was their home, and they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Their story made the news, and so I had lots of firsthand material on how eminent domain wrecked this family’s life. But of course, they were the tip of the iceberg. In the end 50 families suffered the same fate. And that’s a story that's not often told in traditional history books.

Tell us about the process for coming up with the cover of “Delaware from Railways to Freeways”.

I worked with book cover designer Onur Burc, whom I found through Fivver. He’s based in Istanbul, and so he brings no pre-conceived notions about what Delaware is or isn’t. We worked together on my first book, “Delaware Before the Railroads.” So, a template was in place, as this is a three-book series. I wanted to carry over the type treatment, and at least several visual elements. The first book cover had a map of Delaware, a ship, and the state seal. For “Delaware from Railways to Freeways” I told Onur I wanted the state map and something to do with railways pointing to freeways. He came up with the brilliant idea of the state map as a literal portal, through which a locomotive passes. As it rolls through the opening, the train tracks below magically turn into a roadway.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I think about my 8th grade geography teacher, Mr. Jarboe, quite often. On the very first day of class, he wrote “Pizarro was a Pig Farmer!” in huge letters on the chalkboard. Rather than present Francisco Pizzaro, the mighty conqueror of the Inca empire, through a series of triumphs, Mr. Jarboe focused instead on how the man rose from humble beginnings. Pizzaro’s pig farming years happened to line up exactly with an 8th grader’s age. Mr. Jarboe, through his energized history storytelling, wanted us to understand that anyone can start from an unimpressive background and pull themselves up to greatness. He clearly loved breaking through to young minds and was always conscious of bringing his audience along with the narrative. He would stride throughout the classroom waving his arms, bouncing up and down, eyes aflame. Mr. Jarboe, though impressive, didn’t seek to impress. Mr. Jarboe, though entertaining, didn’t seek to entertain. This teacher, like all great teachers, sought to usher his listeners into a new world, to challenge them to live through that world viscerally, and to leave them forever changed by the experience.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Oddly enough, my favorite authors were not initially history writers. I was, and am, hugely impacted by masters of the short story such as Chekhov, O’Henry, Saki and Maupassant. Each in their own way can pare a tale down to its essence. Every utterance in their writings has a purpose. There’s no fat, no long-winded digressions. Short story writing is akin to history writing in that, without filling page after page with minutiae, the wise writer captures the gist. I find I’m regularly presented with the challenge of creating a fully fleshed out narrative with a limited set of facts. The economical methods of the short story author, in this scenario, have served me well.

Enter the Giveaway:

DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

Spotlight Tour and Interview with Giveaway: Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States by Dave Tabler

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 100 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 2022
Tour dates: Nov 25 to Dec 16
Content Rating: G. None needed. Works for all audiences.

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"Tabler debuts with a visual feast introducing readers to the First State before the golden age of the railroad. Drawing on photographs of locations, reconstructions, and historical objects, together with brief captions and rigorous notes, Tabler weaves a rich tapestry of industry, politics, and faith. He organizes the photographs roughly chronologically, tracking Delaware’s development from Swedish settlers to American independence, and dedicates space to images that reflect Delaware’s Native American history, as well as tracing the impact that enslaved people had on the state’s historical development." - Booklife

"If you think you know Delaware, think again. Pirates? Quakers fighting with Pennsylvania? Towns so ugly no one would settle there? With stunning pictures and straightforward storytelling, Dave Tabler opens hidden passages and describes defining moments in this founding American colony. Telling this small state's story gives you a sense of the big picture in American history. Enjoy this fresh look at Delaware through Dave Tabler's eyes." -- Wendy Welch, author The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap
 
"Whether discussing the colored spear tips that showed the community if a person had been found guilty or not, to the stones that identified the Mason-Dixon Line, Dave Tabler's book on colonial Delaware offers the reader a smorgasbord of interesting stories and photos of its early years. This is another book to add to collections about the beginnings of our country." -- Sheila Ingle, winner, South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution Historical Preservation Award for four of her young reader novels about South Carolina heroines during the Revolutionary War
 
"Thoroughly researched and well-written, Delaware before the Railroads offers a glimpse into the past through a present lens. Respected historian Dave Tabler utilizes colorful and intriguing photographs to tell Delaware's foundational stories." -- Jan Loveday Dickens, Tennessee author and educator
 
"Dave Tabler's impeccable research and clearly written descriptives tell a truthful and provocative story for anyone interested in the subject or doing research for other works covering the same period. The colorful and informative photographs tell the story of not only Colonial Delaware residents from 1638-1832 but our American forefathers in general. We learn about every aspect of their way of life during the most critical time of our country's history." -- Lisa Soland, author, and senior editor of Climbing Angel Publishing

"Dave Tabler has crafted a concise and fascinating photographic account of early Delaware. "Delaware Before The Railroads" is definitely a book that should be in the collection of anyone interested not only in the history of Delaware but also in the history of colonial America." -- Steve Gilly, "Stories, A History of Appalachia" podcast
 
"Beautifully illustrated and presented in a unique format, 'Delaware Before the Railroads' is an easy and informative read-sure to appeal to Early American and Delaware history buffs." --Amelia E. Miller, Tennessee author and historian

"Tabler's purpose, indeed, his mission, is to create a tribute to the culture and history of Delaware before the coming of the railroad. Consequently, he not only rediscovers the past, he also preserves and celebrates it with a montage of vivid images and an insightful narrative." -- Gary Carden, author, storyteller, playwright

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Book Description:

Delaware before the railroads arrived in 1832 was hotly contested real estate. Circle back to 1610 for a ride that takes you through culture clashes, colonization, revolution and beyond.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N
Indiebound ~ BookShop 
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the 'R' volume from the family's World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler's father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a 'Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics," which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote 'Deliverance.'

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware's early heritage.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Interview: 

What are my three biggest influences as a writer of history? Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Paul Harvey’s “Rest of the Story” radio show, and my 8th grade geography teacher, Mr. Jarboe. 

Ripley’s, because Robert Ripley was able to boil down the essence of a historical item into one cartoon panel visual; Paul Harvey because of his ability to lead the listener right up to the cliffhanger, leave them gasping for air during the commercial break, and then resolve the rest of the story very neatly in a minute or two. And Mr. Jarboe, because he used the clever hat trick of telling the story of famous people through their teenage eyes. Which of course appeals endlessly to 8th graders! 

I wanted to create a history book that has the stunning glossiness of National Geographic photography, coupled with event driven narrative that gallops along in ‘you are there’ first person. I wanted to work in an overall style that seduces the reader with a sense of just how familiar the lives of those from long ago feel once you get past the funny speech and the strange clothing. 

I’m not a Delaware native, and I’ve only lived here for 12 years. But the advantage of seeing this place as an outsider is that I notice things locals take for granted. How fascinating that “the penman of the American Revolution,” a close friend of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, hailed from Dover! That Delaware’s early history is in fact the nation’s early history in miniature! 

In “Delaware Before the Railroads,” I’ve avoided footnotes and a professorial tone. I want my reader to feel that history is not reserved for ivory towers and dusty bookshelves, that history is a living thing that informs who we are and how we got here, and told right, can help guide us toward how we might develop next as a culture.

Giveaway: 

DELAWARE BEFORE THE RAILROADS Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway