Ann Curry of MSNBC announced on Facebook this morning that the war in Iraq officially ended last night. The final statistics, as she reports them are: a war that lasted almost 9 years, 4,476 U.S. military deaths, and a cost of $800 billion dollars. Now, the troops are coming home!
On a much smaller scale of importance but nonetheless of utmost intrigue to me is the news that my latest book, Sweetheart & Mother Pillows 1917-1945, is currently being shipped from booksellers. This 128 page book with 247 photos is about historic military collectible pillow covers from World War I, World War II and the C.C.C. camps.
Featured are points of history suggested by the pillow covers themselves, as well as tales of the personal heroism of military men from generals to enlisted personnel. The photos of the pillow covers are just so breathtaking! The book will appeal to many people, including but not limited to anyone who has ever served in the military or knows someone who has served; those who love American history; antique fanciers: dealers and collectors, English and History teachers as well as students and professors of textiles; and anyone who loves graphic design or the arts. A price guide and care guide are included.
I appreciate all the support of everyone who helped to create this beautiful and historically-important one-of-a kind book, a landmark study that has never been done before.
The other part of the equation is you, the reader. I created this book so that you can enjoy seeing this wonderful examples of these little-known textiles that help us to celebrate, remember and appreciate the personal sacrifices of our wars, their greater meanings, and the heroes and common folk who were affected by them. This book represents America at its finest hour, when it was still forming the ideas and ideals that continue to shape our ideas of democracy in the 21st century.
Amazon (US) and other amazon sellers around the world join the many vendors who are stocking this book. The contents are particularly of interest to anyone who lives in France or Japan, as some pillow covers made in those countries are among the ones featured.
Patricia Cummings
