'Dangerous Times: Dangerous Risks,' a Book Discussion Group with Ileen Gottesfeld

Wednesday November 6th at 10 am.  Dangerous times historically have motivated "average" women to step up and act with courage and ingenuity.  These three novels describe sacrifices made by unique females during trying times: 1860's New Orleans; 1479 France, 1939 France; and 1939 Liverpool.  Once again, the reader is surprised to learn about outstanding women, who have escaped the pages of history.

The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman (Wednesday, November 6th at 10 am)

1863: In a small Creole cottage in New Orleans, an ingenious young Black woman named Stella embroiders intricate maps on repurposed cloth to help enslaved men flee and join the Union Army. Bound to a man who would kill her if he knew of her clandestine activities, Stella has to hide not only her efforts but her love for William, a Black soldier and a brilliant musician.

Meanwhile, in New York City, a Jewish woman stitches a quilt for her husband, who is stationed in Louisiana with the Union Army. Between abolitionist meetings, Lily rolls bandages and crafts quilts with her sewing circle for other soldiers, too, hoping for their safe return home. But when months go by without word from her husband, Lily resolves to make the perilous journey South to search for him.

As these two women risk everything for love and freedom during thebrutal Civil War, their paths converge in New Orleans, where an unexpected encounter leads them to discover that even the most delicate threads have the capacity to save us. Loosely inspired by the authors' family histories, this stunning novel will stay with readers for a long time.

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