Thursday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—On Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m., Phoenix Books Rutland will host a talk on Jackson Ellis’ new novel, “Lords of St. Thomas.” Jackson Ellis will be joined by Rachel Carter and Asher Ellis.
About “Lords of St. Thomas:” In the Mojave Desert, at the southern end of the isolated Moapa Valley, sat the town of St. Thomas, Nevada. A small community that thrived despite scorching temperatures and scarce water, St. Thomas was home to hardy railroad workers, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, and a lone auto mechanic named Henry Lord. Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his grandson, “Little Henry.” All lived happily until the stroke of a pen by President Coolidge authorizing the construction of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. Within a decade, more than 250 square miles of desert floor would become flooded by the waters of the Colorado River, and St. Thomas would be no more. In the early 1930s, the federal government began buying out the residents of St. Thomas, yet the hardheaded Henry Lord, believing the water would never reach his home, refused to sell. It was a mistake that would cost him – and his family – dearly. “Lords of St. Thomas” details the tragedies and conflicts endured by a family fighting an unwinnable battle, and their hectic and terrifying escape from the flood waters that finally surge across the threshold of their front door. Surprisingly, it also shows that, sometimes, you can go home again, as Little Henry returns to St. Thomas 60 years later, after Lake Mead recedes, to retrieve a treasure he left behind – and to fulfill a promise he made as a child.
This event is free and open to all. Phoenix Books Rutland is located at 2 Center St., Rutland. Copies of the featured title will be available for attendees to purchase and have signed. For more information, call 802-855-8078 or visit phoenixbooks.biz.
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Books Rutland
Jackson Ellis will be visiting Phoenix Books Rutland to discuss his new novel, along with two other authors – Rachel Carter and Asher Ellis.
