Catching Up & Getting Out and About...

Greetings! It's been a while since I've posted an update about what's going on with Dram Tree Books, so I thought it was high time I did. 

First, YOU CAN BUY DRAM TREE BOOKS TITLES DIRECTLY FROM THIS WEBSITE NOW! Just click on "Shop Our Books!" in the bar at the top of this page and you can peruse everything we have in print, place your order, and enjoy great Cape Fear and North Carolina history in a jiffy!

There are some great new titles coming in the not too distant future that you should keep an eye out for:

On the drawing board as I write this is a new history of the Lower Cape Fear in the Revolutionary War by Jack E. Fryar, Jr., titled When the British Came: Revolution in the Lower Cape Fear, 1765-1782. With the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution approaching in 2026, and commemorations of that world changing event beginning this year, I thought it was time to write what we hope will be the go-to history of southeastern North Carolina from the Stamp Act resistance, to the Regulator Rebellion, to Moores Creek and the British occupation of Wilmington in 1781. The book is a comprehensive history (or as much so as I can make it) of the conflict, and of the civil war that raged between Cross Creek (modern Fayetteville) and Bald Head Island, just in time for the anniversary of those turbulent days that birthed a new nation. We're pretty sure this is going to be Dram Tree Books' first hardcover edition, featuring cover art from noted artist and history buff James C. HortonI We hope to have it out and ready for purchase by summer 2024.

Rebecca Taylor is working on a new offering in the Young Reader's Series of North Carolina History about the African American resort, Seabreeze. We hope to have that one ready by fall. Currently, Rebecca is trying to gather photos and other items to illustrate the book. If you know of anyone who might have old family pics from family vacations there back int he day, please let us know! You can reach Rebecca by email at [email protected].

Speaking of the Young Readers Series of North Carolina History, look for a version of the RevWar history of the Lower Cape Fear in that line. We figured why not do one for the youngsters, too. The series is designed for young people ages 10-18, giving them richly illustrated history in books that can be quickly read but still provide the essentials to inform and educate. If you have a young person (or even a not-so-young person) who might like their history in a scaled down but fun version, try this series out! You can find the books we have under the "Our Titles" tab on our website.

Interested in the seedier side of Wilmington? David A. Norris, author of Potter's Raid: The Union Cavalry's Boldest Expedition in Eastern North Carolina (available on this website) is working on a new title for Dram Tree Books about the Paddy's Hollow district in Wilmington from the colonial era through the Civil War. It's the story of one small area of downtown Wilmington where there were more taverns, saloons, and brothels than anything else for much of the town's early history. Populated today by Cape Fear Community College, the Cotton Exchange, sandwich shops, and other retail businesses, the trade was a whole lot different in times past!

In keeping with the Dram Tree Books policy of making available books that are no longer in print but that deserve to be, look for our edition of Janet Schaw's Journal of a Lady of Quality, coming out soon. Schaw was a Scotswoman who traveled around Great Britain's colonial possessions on a tour that brought her to Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear just as the revolutionary fervor in the Lower Cape Fear was heating up. Her journal provides candid assessments of the people and events she saw while here that make it a go to volume for anyone interested in colonial North Carolina.

Look for Dram Tree Books at area events, including the Burgwin-Wright House's Spring and Summer Markets in April and June (see calendar in the column to the right). Author Jack E. Fryar, Jr. will be presenting a program on the Charles Towne Settlement on the Cape Fear River, 1664-1667 on March 19 at the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport. It starts at noon, so be sure to call Shannon Walker at the museum at (910) 477-5151 to reserve your space!