“If you’re looking to learn some history you may not have been taught in school, Eminent Oregonians: Three Who Matter should be your next read. By authors Jane Kirkpatrick, Steve Forrester and R. Gregory Nokes, this quick read recounts the lives of three trailblazing Oregonians that paved the way for future generations: Abigail Scott Duniway, Richard Neuberger and Jesse Applegate. As with any biography on influential people throughout history, this book provides merely a snapshot into the lives of these individuals within the context of their time. As Forrester, a co-author, tells Eugene Weekly, “Oregon has become such a myth, but these are reality tales.” A consistent theme for me while reading through this book was, as Forrester put it, a string of “‘I didn’t know that’ moments.” For all the history classes I had taken, including a few at the University of Oregon, I’d not heard of anyone like Duniway, who was one of the first women to ever form her own newspaper. So for any history buffs out there looking to expand your knowledge of historical Oregonians, be sure to pick up this volume and give it a read.” — Sienna Riley, the Eugene Weekly
“An inspiring and moving account of three people who helped create modern Oregon. One was a pioneer who fought attempts to make Oregon a slave state. Another was a legendary female journalist and advocate for women’s rights. A third was a senator who overcame anti-Semitism and helped nurture modern environmentalism.
Oregon has a complicated history, sometimes a painful one, and this is history that is sometimes painful as well as inspiring. But it’s always riveting!”-Nicholas Kristof, Author, Pulitzer Prize winner, Human Rights advocate
Read the Nov. 3, 2021 Wilmette Week review here!
NOTE: This book is not available for sale on this website (JKBooks.com) Discover more and order here.
View Jane’s interview conducted by moderator Kerry Tymchuk for the Oregon Historical Society. Her co-authors Steven Forrester and R. Gregory Nokes participated in a lively discussion of the book. Interview was conducted on October 5, 2021.
