Announcing the Topic of My Upcoming Book (Number 9)
At last, I’m able to announce the topic of my upcoming book (number 9!): The Penicillin Miracle: A Deadly Fire, World War II, and the Dawn of the Antibiotics Age, to be published by St. Martin’s Press on August 31, 2027!
I’m so excited about this book and want to give you a flavor of the story now! The graphic at left is an authentic home-front image used during the Second World War, but should not be confused with the book’s cover image, which will be coming soon.
Dark Tide Named A Beacon Press “Classic” as Publisher Approaches its 175th Anniversary Year
I received word from Beacon Press that my book, Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 has been named a Beacon Press “Classic” as the publisher approaches its 175th anniversary year in 2029!
In the countdown to the anniversary, Beacon will be releasing only 60 books in total (one book per month, 2025-2029 inclusive) from its backlist of thousands of titles! These will be special deluxe, limited-edition hardcover books, with a “retro” cover feel using the color pallet from the original. The regular paperback edition of Dark Tide will continue to be sold, as will the e-book and audiobook versions.
The Dark Tide Classics edition (shown at left) will be the January 2027 book release (after all, the flood was in January) and will be on sale January 5, 2027.
I’m so grateful that in the 23 years since its debut, Dark Tide has received a great deal of praise from readers, community organizations, librarians, booksellers, students and teachers, the media, reviewers, and many others. This honor from Beacon is especially rewarding – and it could not have happened without your support and continuous word-of-mouth recommendations of Dark Tide. I can’t thank you enough for that! You can read more about this topic here.
All the latest news about The Great Abolitionist
My eighth book, The Great Abolitionist, is the first full biography in more than 50 years on U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, an antislavery and civil rights hero. I’m honored by the reader response to this book, which was published in 2024.
The book received outstanding “starred reviews” from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly – two of the industry’s most influential reviewers! Kirkus said in part, “[The Great Abolitionist is] a wonderfully written book about a true American freedom fighter.” Read the full Kirkus review here. Publishers Weekly said in part: “Readers won’t be able to get enough of Puleo’s indomitable Sumner.” Read the full PW review here. I’m grateful for these wonderful reviews. I hope you enjoy The Great Abolitionist just as much!
To keep up with the most recent news on this book, including a stunning review, and future endeavors, please check out my Inside Info page. In addition to striking images, upcoming events, and new projects, you can find information here shared first with readers on my mailing list.
One recently shared item is a column I wrote about the Sumner-Lincoln relationship. Click the link below to find The History Reader, an outstanding history website hosted by Macmillan Publishing, the parent company of St. Martin’s Press, which published The Great Abolitionist. I hope you’ll enjoy “Charles Sumner Witnesses the Abraham Lincoln Magic.” There are many examples of how Sumner and Lincoln learned from each other. One of those occurred in April 1865 at General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters at City Point, Virginia, when Sumner witnesses Lincoln’s strong connection with front-line soldiers.
Events
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Oct
15The Boston Italians
Hanson (MA) Public Library
132 Maquan St.
Hanson, MA
6:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact the library at info@hansonlibrary.org or 781-293-2151. -
Oct
21Christopher Columbus: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Wilmington (MA) Sons & Daughters of Italy
Wilmington Senior Center
130 Main St. (Route 38)
Wilmington, MA
7:00 p.m
For more information, email Mary Renda. Advance registration strongly recommended. -
Oct
24American Treasures 250th Anniversary
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
MA Sate Organization
(This is a private event.)
October 2026
It Was an Honor to Speak in Gettysburg at The Lincoln Forum
I was honored to speak at The Lincoln Forum’s 30th Annual Symposium held in Gettysburg. Based on my book, The Great Abolitionist, I spoke on a panel entitled “The Voice of the People: Lincoln and Congress.” More than 300 people attended our session, and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
About Steve
Stephen Puleo is an author, historian, teacher, public speaker, and communications professional. He has published eight narrative history books, taught college-level history courses, made more than 740 speaking appearances, and created writing workshops for both students and adults.
Email Steve at spuleo@aol.com.
