Ann S. Epstein writes novels, short stories, memoir, essays, and poems. Please use the links or site menu to go to the HOME PAGE; learn about her NOVELS, SHORT STORIES, MEMOIR, ESSAYS, and POEMS; find interesting facts in BEHIND THE STORY; read REFLECTIONS on writing; check NEWS for updates on publications and related events; see REVIEWS; learn about her END-OF-LIFE DOULA credentials and services; and CONTACT US to send webmail.
Interesting history tidbits I’ve learned while researching my novels and short stories
“Just cause this ain’t the South, don’t mean white folks aren’t afraid to burn and lynch Negroes.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“The farmhands ain’t only men. We’re all of us Negroes too. Mr. Tapper is the only one who’ll hire us.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“‘Mucha’s got in for everyone.’ Tazia shuddered. Denton frowned. ‘Harder for a dark man. People like that foreman are scared of us.’” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“The children stare. Tazia wonders if this is the first time a white person has been in their home.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“The faces on the street changed from white to black, and multistory brick buildings gave way to squat wooden structures: salvaged barn boards, tin, and tar paper, with newspaper stuffed into the chinks.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“‘Mirlee Bee,’ Lula Mae says, ‘all the washing in the world ain’t gonna turn your skin white. Besides, it’s fine as it is.’” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
“One man brandishes a log wrapped in kerosene-soaked rags. He pulls a box of matches from his pocket. ‘Turn those nigger ladies and kids outta there or I’ll set your house afire,’ he says with a woozy grin.” A quote from the historical novel Tazia and Gemma. After the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, an unwed immigrant and her young daughter flee west in search of freedom and encounter racism in Kansas in the early 1900s. Read more about the book in NOVELS.
For the past month, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve posted quack remedies recommended during the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak. Here’s an alphabetical recap of the most outlandish: breath mints, camphor balls, hot sulfur fumes, malted milk, massages, onions, paw paws, petroleum jelly, sneezing, toothpaste, vinegar baths. Your favorite(s)? Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
Father John’s Cough Syrup, which had been used to treat colds since 1855, claimed to be effective against the 1918 Spanish flu. Its non-alcoholic cod liver oil base containing glycerin, sugar, gum arabic, licorice, and flavoring oils was promoted as a “nutritive tonic to combat diseases of the throat.” It didn’t help, but at least it didn’t harm. Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
A dangerous quack remedy during the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak was to “inhale smoke from sulfur and brown sugar heated over hot coals.” Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
