Mankind: The Story of All of Us

I hope you will indulge me in a bit of blatant self-promotion. The book I spent much of this last year writing, agonizing over, and swearing about is finally out and I’m pleased as punch. In fact, I don’t much like punch so I’m pleased as a good bourbon at the end of a long day–and I don’t get much more pleased than that. To celebrate I’m giving away a copy of the book. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog. (Sorry, comments by e-mail don’t count.) My Own True Love will draw a name out of a hat on November 13.

Why November 13? Mankind: The Story of All of Us was written as a companion to a History Channel series of the same name.* The first episode is scheduled to air on November 13.  Enjoy the trailer:

Watch the show. Leave a comment (but don’t wait until you’ve seen the show or you’ll be too late to win a copy of the book.)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I think do the happy dance up and down the hall.

*There are also graphic novels dealing with the same material. Too cool.

33 Comments

  1. Karen Holden on October 31, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    How exciting. Knowing Pam and all I’ve learned from her “history in the margin” notes, I know I will learn even more–aided I’m sure by the bourbon I will sipping as I watch. It is already on my calendar.

  2. Nancy Friesen on October 31, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    I can’t wait to read it!! If it’s anything like this blog, it’ll be hours of fun.

  3. Nancy Marie Brown on November 1, 2012 at 1:14 am

    Put me on the list, Pamela! I hope I get to see you do the happy dance, too. Congratulations!

  4. Molly Heise on November 1, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Congratulations, Pam! A celebration is in order.

    Molly

  5. James Wiener on November 1, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    Congratulations Pamela! How exciting for you! Cheers to a job well done!!

  6. Christina Torbert on November 1, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Congratulations, Pam! How exciting for you. I’ve seen the ads for that show, and though it sounded interesting, wondering how they would approach such a topic. Now I am really looking forward to it.
    I miss our conversations.

  7. Jennifer Fink on November 1, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    YOU wrote this? My boys & I have been looking forward to that series!

    Will you be bringing copies to ASJA to sell? Even if I don’t win, I’d love an autographed copy.

  8. Tracy Christianson on November 1, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    Looking forward to the show and your book!

  9. Lena Hittelman on November 1, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Yea, Pam! Congratulations. Can’t wait to see the product of this long arduous journey.

  10. Georganna Hancock on November 1, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I’m so happy & excited for your finish! Congrats! The book sounds fascinating & a great one to review.

  11. Diana Holdsworth on November 1, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    SO proud of you, Pamela! You’re a fine writer and a wise woman. Looking forward to enjoying the book. (And I hope you continue the novel you were writing last year. I’d love to read that, too.) xoxo Diana

  12. SAM G. on November 2, 2012 at 12:59 am

    It’s been 57 years for a persona to channel Earnie Pyle ! And now I find she is a woman from big city Chicago.

  13. Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm on November 2, 2012 at 3:19 am

    You wrote a book?! That’s awesome! Congratulations. 🙂

  14. Fred Hollister BOOKS of ADVENTURE on November 2, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Great News! We saw this advertised in the Target flyer (inserted in the Sunday paper). We feel like we were a very small part of the process, as we were in Chicago when you were working on this!

    It’s a remarkable achievement to condense the history of people on earth into a single volume! How very H.G. Wellsian of you!

    I’m ordering a copy from Amazon (released 10/31) so I can post a review as an AVP.

    Cheers!

  15. John Lionberger on November 2, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    Many and loud huzzahs, Pamela. And to your One True Love who suffered through this with you. I’ve been seeing the promos for the program but did not know you’d written the book, so while I’m always impressed with you, now I REALLY impressed.

    Hope I win the book. If not, I’ll buy one.

    Congratulations! Like giving birth, no?

  16. David Potterveld on November 3, 2012 at 12:21 am

    Congratulations, Pam! What a labor of love. I’ll look forward to reading it!

  17. Nancy Holyoke on November 3, 2012 at 2:36 am

    It looks incredible. I’m excited to read the book–and to see the show. I’ll post to pals, too.

  18. Polly Holyoke on November 3, 2012 at 3:40 am

    Hi Pam,
    Please put me in the drawing, but we plan to buy a copy, too. How cool is this??? Great cover. Can hardly wait to read. Congratulations!!

  19. Fred Hollister BOOKS of ADVENTURE on November 6, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    2.0: My copy just arrived from Amazon (1st printing – always a plus!). I look forward to reading it and then posting a Review.

    So far, I can say it looks great. I got a kick out of the picture of “Columbus” (pg. 208). I realize he is giving thanks or otherwise praying, but I’ve long suspected when he and his sailors hit the beach after so many weeks at sea they probably fell down because the earth was still.

  20. Erin Brown on November 7, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Wow, Pamela! You weren’t kidding about “massive project”! Congratulations on reaching the finish line, even after it moved about six times…and may I say that both Running Press and History Channel are lucky to have such a thoughtful, skilled, and conscientious writer on the job.

  21. Nancy Saunders on November 8, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    I’m eager to see the program and equally so to read the book! I’m proud to claim P. Toler as my sister-in-law!

  22. Vicki K on November 11, 2012 at 5:23 am

    You’ve written an amazing book about an amazing history. And apparently enjoyed a wee dram along the way. 🙂 Here’s to all of us doing as well at what we love.

    Cheers!

  23. Nadine Frale on November 12, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    I am so happy for you. It looks amazing. I know how hard you work. I know you put everything into all you do. It’s so exciting to watch you flourish! We can’t wait to see the movie. Can’t wait to get our hands on your book. Our household loves “a good read” ! So a tip of the head and a sip of the bourbon to you. Congrats my friend!

  24. Kathy Stephens on November 12, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Congratulations! I’m certain anything written by this author will be a bestseller! She’s brilliant!

  25. Nina Benneton on November 12, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Wow. I’m so looking forward to reading this book and watching this series. Congratulations!

  26. Don Hollister on November 12, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    I’ll buy one anyway.

  27. Jeff Kohler on November 13, 2012 at 12:19 am

    Congratulations, Pam. This is truly the consummation of your entire life’s work as a devoted scholar, writer, and literary anthropological detective.
    Few people on this planet have the intensity that you do as a historian and “generalist”, but I’m confident that the depth and scope of this work will prove fascinating, suspenseful, and entertaining. Looking forward to reading it soon. Bravo!!

  28. Lora Wimsatt on November 13, 2012 at 2:55 am

    As “one of us,” I am very excited and really looking forward to the series and book. It would sure be a bonus joy to WIN the book! Best wishes to all.

  29. Robert S. Rhine on November 13, 2012 at 3:08 am

    Real history on the History Channel – fantastic! Congrats on the new book.

  30. Carol Terry on November 14, 2012 at 11:41 am

    I was exhausted after a day in the classroom, and did fall asleep during a portion of the debut of Mankind. Please tell me, did I miss the part about iron smelting in early African civilizations?

    • pamela on November 17, 2012 at 7:23 pm

      Carol: I don’t think you missed it, though it may have appeared briefly in one of the multicultural “collages”. I know I covered it briefly in the book. (So much history; only 300+ pages. Given the way the televison series moves back and forth in time it may appear later.

  31. pamela on November 17, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Thank you, every one, for putting your names in the hat–and for your kind words. I decided to give away two copies. The winners are Karen Holden and James Weiner. I’ll contact both of you directly for mailing addresses.

    Best,
    Pamela

    • James Wiener on November 17, 2012 at 11:57 pm

      Thanks Pamela, I am thrilled!! Cannot wait to receive it and read it.

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