FOR RELEASE
August 20, 1998

          CHARLESTON, S.C.—When Angie LeClercq, director of The Citadel’s Daniel Library, asked Charles Cornwell to moderate a book club on best sellers, he agreed, but only if he could change the focus. At Cornwell’s request the theme became The South’s Biracial, Religious, and Political Traditions: What are They? Are We Losing Them?

          Dr. Charles Cornwell is a former English professor and minister. He taught English at Davidson for fifteen years, and later he moved to Charleston where he was an associate pastor at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. He is presently the senior editor at Wyrick Press (Charleston).

          Cornwell’s theme was inspired by a book he was reading at the time—Peter Applebome’s Dixie Rising—which delves into the changes of the new South and its influence on modern American society. Beginning with W.J. Cash’s The Mind of the South and ending with Applebome’s book, the reading list also includes Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, William Faulkner’s Go Down, Moses, Richard Wright’s Black Boy, and Ben Robertson’s Red Hills and Cotton and will explore Southern traditions, the good and the bad, and their evolution in recent times.

          Cornwell is looking forward to a diverse group and exciting discussions. The Friends of the Daniel Library Book Club will meet September 8, 22, October 13, 27, and November 10, 24 at the library’s William F. Prioleau Reading Room from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Copies of all books on the reading list will be on reserve in the library. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more information on joining the Friends’ Book Club, call (843) 953-7691.