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Capacity crowds attend ninth annual History Book Festival

Diverse group of authors shares insights
Jen Mason, co-founder and chair of the History Book Festival, right, organizes questions from the audience during the closing event Sept. 28 at Cape Henlopen High School. Joining her on stage are (l-r) research partner Michael Hill, Dorie McCullough Lawson and Ivan Henderson, executive director of the Delaware Historical Society. DENY HOWETH PHOTOS
Deny Howeth
October 2, 2025

The ninth annual History Book Festival welcomed 22 diverse authors to Lewes for the three-day event Sept. 26-28. Organizers report more than 4,500 people from 23 states attended the event, which offered 22 author presentations, and school events in Sussex and Kent counties.

Sold-out ticketed events bookended the free presentations.

Hampton Sides opened the festival at the keynote event Sept. 26. His book, “The Wide Sea,” explores the voyages of Capt. James Cook.

The closing event explored David McCullough’s final work, “History Matters.” McCullough’s daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, and research partner, Michael Hill, were in conversation with Ivan Henderson, executive director of the Delaware Historical Society, discussing the importance of history and anecdotes of McCullough’s lifelong career.

Sept. 27 attendees criss-crossed town to four different venues to listen to authors discuss their books, methods and relationships to the subject matter. After each session, authors were available to sign, meet and chat with audience members. The day culminated in a spirited discussion where devotees were invited to partake in refreshments and meet-and-greets with the authors.

The program is supported by many other nonprofits, like the Delaware and Lewes historical societies, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, Seaside Jewish Community, Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Archaeological Society of Delaware, CAMP Rehoboth and Sussex Pride, Delaware Art Museum and Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, ACLU of Delaware, Nature Generation and Lewes Public Library.

For more information, go to historybookfestival.org.

Author Justene Hill Edwards provides context to current debates on the story of American capitalism.
Nicole Nehrig, author of “With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories,” shares about the community of women who learn and teach through needlework.
Marlene L. Daut, author of “The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe,” shares insight with a full house.
Saladin Ambar signs books and interacts with guests after his talk.
Author James Lacey speaks to a packed house about his book, “The Year God Died,” which uncovers a historically accurate context for the writings in the New Testament.
Caleb Gayle weaves a tale that exposes the saga of a black businessman who had a vision for a Black state.
Volunteer conversation partner Susan Towers talks with Jesse Browner about his novel.
Andrew J. Lyter, curator of maritime history at Historic Lewes, shares untold stories of sailors’ lives shown in his book, “Going Among English Sailors.”
Andrew J. Lyter, curator of maritime history at Historic Lewes, signs his book for attentive history buffs.
Capacity crowds filled venues to listen to authors and have an opportunity to ask questions and meet the authors. Nicole Nehrig talks to a standing-room-only crowd.
Marlene L. Daut signs copies of “The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe.”
Lonnae O'Neal, center, author of “Bibb Country,” and husband Thomas Reed, back, take a moment with volunteers Janice Pinto, left, and Lori Swift.
Author Jesse Browner meets and talks with attendees at Lewes Elementary School.
Volunteer conversation partner Molly Giordano talks with Michelle Young about her book “The Art Spy” at Bethel UMC fellowship hall.
Dolen Perkins-Valdez shares her thoughts on her novel “Happy Land.”
The Rollins Center hosted full-capacity crowds for author Fara Dabhoiwala.
Fara Dabhoiwala expresses the history of free speech in his book, “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea.”
Ronald Collins, History Book Festival co-founder emeritus, left, and Fara Dabhoiwala share a moment at the spirited discussion.
Authors and guests have an opportunity to share their thoughts during the spirited discussion.
Sharing a moment at the spirited discussion are (l-r) Amy Marasco, Pat West, Dan McDonald and Steven Schwankert.
Jen Mason, co-founder and chair of History Book Festival, chats with Nicole Nehrig, author of “With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories.”
Locals Nancy Staisey and Stan Divorski, center, pose for a photo after the closing event. Attendees were able to briefly meet and talk with Dorie McCullough Lawson, left, and Michael Hill, right.
Founder Ron Collins was honored at the keynote event. Shown are (l-r) James Curtis, Susan Kehoe, Rebecca Lowe, Jen Mason, Ron Collins, Matthew Ash, Barbara Hames and Peter Zoll. Tom Owen was not present for the photo.
Lewes History Book Festival keynote speaker Hampton Sides is the bestselling author of eight books including “Ghost Soldiers.” He discussed his most recent release, “The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook.” SUBMITTED PHOTO

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