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Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

arts

IU Professor James H. Madison to present and sign new book at the Venue

While the galleries of Bloomington often showcase typical artworks such as paintings, sculptures and jewelry from artists in the area, this week one will be hosting a book signing from an IU professor.

The Venue of Fine Art & Gifts will accommodate a presentation and book signing for author and professor James H. Madison of his recent book, “Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Madison said the book, which was released July 2014, primarily focuses on the history of the state, including the back story on why Indiana natives are called Hoosiers and their stories from two centuries ago. It also offers an invigorating view of Indiana.

“The book is centered upon everything and anything about Indiana, although it’s impossible to sum it all up,” Madison said. “But I picked the highlights of what I think is important from the state, and I wrote them to fit the perspective for 21st century readers.”

An award-winning author and lecturer, Madison is also an IU professor in the Department of History. He said his research and teachings focus on the twentieth-century United States ?history.

He primarily teaches historical courses such as History of the United States since 1865 and World War II: The Peoples and History of Indiana.

The Venue reached out to Madison to promote and sign the book at the gallery. He said he is looking forward to getting others’ perspectives on what they thought of the book when he gives his presentation and answers questions.

“I want to hear what other people have to say about the book and the questions they’ll be asking,” Madison said. “When I talk in events like this, I try to get people to think. I want to help them ask questions and talk about certain aspects of Indiana.”

Madison has written over eight published works in the past 30 years. His first book, “The Indiana Way: A State History,” was published ?in 1982.

For the book presentation and signing, Madison said he also hopes everyone who comes will get a history lesson and learn the importance of the state that most people don’t know about.

“I am hoping people will take a particular state like Indiana more importantly when they read this book,” Madison said. “Indiana is very important and interesting. I hope people will pay more attention and become more serious to what is happening in the Bloomington community and all the other areas in Indiana.”

Madison spent years writing and doing research for this book. According to the Venue’s website, it was through discovering a wealth of new facts, stories, cities and perspectives that motivated him to write and finish the book.

“If you’re gonna write a book, you spend years alone locked away writing it away from everyone else,” Madison said. “It’s nice to talk to people about all those years you spent alone and see the effect your writing had on these people.”

He said he is completely honored that the Venue contacted him to take part and center this event on him and the release of his new book “Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana.”

“It is quite admirable to be asked to do this, and it’s quite hip and cool to be presenting this book,” ?Madison said.

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