Scott Turow to Talk About WWII Novel

Scott Turow, one of this country’s most respected writers, will talk about his World War II novel “Ordinary Heroes” as part of the Park Ridge Public Library’s salute this month to veterans of that conflict.

He also will answer questions and autograph books starting at 7 p.m., Oct. 18 at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge.

The talk is free and open to the public; tickets though are required and available at the Reader Services Desk at the library, 20 S. Prospect Ave.

His novel is the fourth offering of Park Ridge Reads, a community-wide project held every other October since 2005 to promote reading and spark discussion around one book.

A lot of Turow’s books are considered mysteries, but this is not like the courtroom mystery and thriller “Presumed Innocent,” said Laura Scott, Park Ridge’s programming librarian.

“Ordinary Heroes” explores a long-lasting family mystery that lingered long after the end of the war. It is narrated by journalist Stewart Dubinsky, (who readers may remember from “Presumed Innocent”) and Dubinsky’s father, who was an attorney for the Judge Advocate General’s office during the war.

After his father’s death, the younger Dubinsky begins exploring his father’s past through wartime letters, military documents and notes for a memoir his father composed while in prison. The secret history of his father’s clandestine actions, which led to a court martial, comes to light. The story draws readers in to a tantalizing mystery, which unfolds through the accounts of both father and son.

“This one has twists and turns. We loved the book and the World War II angle,” she said.

That angle has allowed the library to do some good programs around it, Scott said. Earlier this month, actor R.J. Lindsey channeled FDR and held a fireside chat, which related the president’s experiences leading up to and during World War II. With era standards such as “Sentimental Journey” and “We’ll Meet Again,” vocalist Laura Freeman let an audience float down Memory Lane.

A dark event in this country during the war will be the focus of a talk at 7 p.m. this Thursday, when Jean Mishima and Richard Hidaka of the Chicago Japanese-American Historical Society will relate their experiences as children in internment camps. They also will focus on the history of events and politics leading up to incarceration of Japanese and Japanese-Americans during World War II. The talk will be at the library, 20 S. Prospect Ave., free and open to the public.

Other events this month will be:

• A collection of song and dance scenes from movies featuring Judy Garland, the Andrew Sisters, Abbott and Costello and other stars of the era, 2 p.m., Oct. 18.
• A showing of the World War II thriller “They Were Expendable,” directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, Robert Montgomery and Donna Read, 7 p.m., Oct. 20.
• Relive the days of the Victory Gardens when LaManda Joy, founder of Chicago’s Peterson Garden Project will talk about the days of urban food production in Chicago, 7 p.m., Oct. 25.

All of the events are at the library, are free and open to the public.

An exhibit of World War II memorabilia will also be on display. Focusing mainly on posters, advertising, sentimental objects and other small items, the exhibit offers a view of the war from the home front, as experienced by the families of soldiers.

The collection of events is the library’s way of honoring the Greatest Generation, Scott said.

“There are fewer and fewer veterans living. We wanted to honor them while we still could, while they’re still able to participate,” Scott said.

For more information, call Readers Services 847-720-3280.