Next Presentation

 

JOIN US ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025  AT 7:15 P.M. (Pacific Time)

FOR A PRESENTATION ON: 

 

"THE STRANGE ODYSSEY OF SGT. NICHOLAS SAID: 

FROM THE HEART OF AFRICA TO THE FRONTLINES OF THE CIVIL WAR"

 

WITH  Dean Calbreath, Author and Journalist

 

 

 

Born into wealth in a 1,000-year-old nation in Central Africa, Nicholas Said traveled through the Ottoman Empire and Europe, picking up nine languages and meeting kings, czars and emperors, before arriving in the US on the eve of the Civil War. After joining the 55th Massachusetts, he fought in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, serving as a sergeant directly under future Pasadena resident Lieutenant Thomas Foulds Ellsworth. After the war, he remained in the South to help the freed slaves. Through his eyes, we can see how different regions in the world tackled questions of slavery, racial prejudice, religion and war. 

 

Dean Calbreath is a former reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune who was on the Pulitzer-winning team that uncovered the largest individual bribery scheme in Congressional history. After retiring from daily journalism, he turned his focus to shedding light on little-known corners of history. He has been interested in the Civil War since his childhood, digging out Minie balls from his great-aunt's backyard in Amelia, Virginia.

 

His biography of Nicholas Said, “The Sergeant,” has been praised by reviewers, including historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., who calls it “essential reading.” It was named as Book of the Year by the San Diego Writers Festival, Best Biography by the San Francisco Book Festival, and Book of the Month by the San Diego Public Library.

 

 

Mr. Calbreath will be signing and selling his book for $20, a discount from the retail price of $29.98.  So bring your wallet with you!

 

 


Thanks to the volunteer efforts and expertise of our Pasadena CWRT members, Tina Miller and Monika Skerbelis, we are now able to record our monthly meetings and post the videos to our YouTube Channel for your enjoyment and edification if you are unable to join us for our live meetings.  We invite you to check out the videos from our two years of virtual meetings, as well as our most recent presentations, at our YouTube Channel:

CLICK HERE

 

We are indebted to Tina and Monika for helping us to bring this wonderful added benefit to allow our non-local members and guests to enjoy the presentations of our distinguished roster of speakers.

 


 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR IN-PERSON MEETING:

Pasadena CWRT - TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025 - 7:15 PM (Pacific Time)

The Blinn House - 160 North Oakland Avenue - Pasadena

 

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BE ADDED TO OUR MONTHLY EMAIL LIST:

Contact Janet Whaley, Program Chair

PasadenaCWRT@gmail.com or 626-664-6627