Support the Historical Society’s Research Library

By: The St. Augustine Historical Society

Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author, will debut his latest novel, “The Patriot Threat,” at a fundraiser for the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library on Thursday, March 26th, according to an announcement received by Historic City News today.

Berry, a St. Augustine resident, and author of historic fiction was invited to keynote this event because of the commitment he and his wife, Elizabeth, have made to helping communities preserve their local history through their foundation, History Matters.

Bob Nawrocki, chief librarian for the Society’s research library, is a fan of Berry’s and explored the possibility with Berry after learning about this foundation, History Matters. Nawrocki said the Research Library’s work fits the mission of History Matters.

The special evening reception at the St. Augustine Historical Society, located at 271 Charlotte St., will feature a presentation by Berry, a question-and-answer session with his audience, and a book-signing for “The Patriot Threat.” The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person for the Steve Berry reception and book-signing and will include a copy of “The Patriot Threat,” for each ticket purchased, Nawrocki said.

There also will be a separate ticketed event prior to Berry’s presentation at which time selected items in the Society and Research Library’s special collections will be displayed at the Page Edwards Gallery in the Society’s complex. The special collections event will take place from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. and will conclude with an opportunity to meet with Steve Berry, Nawrocki said. The special collections event is an additional $25 per person.

Susan Parker, Ph.D., executive director of the Society, said she is grateful for Berry’s willingness to help the society continue to preserve its collections that date back to the 1600s, many of which are open to the public. “Preserving library and artifact collections with ever-changing, state-of-the-art environmental and cataloguing standards requires an environment that protects the items as well as many hours of research and organizing.

Steve Berry features ancient documents and artifacts in starring roles in his novels. His participation in this event will bring well-deserved attention and focus on the Society’s collections as well as financial support. By the way, I’m reading his most recent release, ‘The Lincoln Myth’ right now.

“The Patriot Threat” is the 10th novel in Berry’s popular Cotton Malone series that began in 2006. Malone is described by Berry as a former Justice Department operative who now runs a book store in Denmark. He is pressed into service at various times in retirement by the Justice Department on these “covert” missions.
Berry’s website, www.steveberry.org, says The Patriot Threat is “another trademark mix of history and suspense that is 90 percent fact and 10 percent exciting speculation, a provocative thriller that poses a dangerous question, ‘What if the federal income tax is illegal?’”

The book, a hardcover published by St. Martin’s Press, officially goes on sale on March 31.

Berry is a native of Georgia. He graduated from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law and was a trial lawyer for 30 years. He also held elective office for 14 of those years.

He is a founding member of International Thriller Writers—a group of more than 2,600 thriller writers worldwide —and served three years as its co-president. In addition to the Cotton Malone series, he has also published stand-alone thrillers and is consistently on top lists of thriller novels nationally and internationally. His books have been translated into 40 languages with 19 million copies in 51 countries.

The society’s March 26 events are open to the public and those interested in purchasing tickets may contact Jeannette at 904-824-2872 or, by email at sahsevent@bellsouth.net.