Williamsburg is known for its diverse history and the diverse interests of its people. Several area authors hope to capitalize on that with their new books spanning topics from William and Mary’s unique history to the experiences of the great outdoors.
“From Student to Warrior: A Military History of the College of William and Mary” by Wilford Kale
Kale, a Williamsburg resident and former Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter, previously garnered attention for chronicling William and Mary’s history with his 1985 book, “Hark Upon the Gale.” His latest work, inspired by the theme of his master’s thesis, focuses on the college’s military history. It’s unlike what you’d find at most liberal arts schools.
“Most people don’t see that,” Kale said, but the military aspect is as long running as the rest of its history. Two major battles, Yorktown in 1781 and Williamsburg in 1862, were fought in and around the school. The scale of World War I, which left few men on campus, also led to the school becoming coed.
“The military fits in very nicely with the public service element that’s been with William and Mary since before the revolution,” Kale said. “It’s really been a part of the college’s mantra.”
That mantra meant several close calls for the college, like its loss of British funding after the revolution and damage sustained from the Civil War. But those experiences made the school stronger.
“There are probably a half a dozen situations where William and Mary should have died,” he said. “It’s about survival.”
“Dog Tails, Fish Tales and Other Misadventures” by Ash Cutchin
For Cutchin, a retiree native to the Tidewater area and another William and Mary alumnus, writing a book was perennial dream.
“It was just one of the items on my bucket list,” Cutchin, 75, said. This year, thanks to the persistence of his six grandchildren, he self-published a collection of 36 short stories. He used his array of life experiences to shape them.
“I had a background in the outdoors,” he said. Hunting, fishing and serving in the Boy Scouts shaped his youth. After majoring in English in college, Cutchin’s writing plans fell to the wayside when he found himself thrust into Vietnam, where he served as a recon pilot.
That experience led to a career as a pilot, which saw him traveling the world, fishing in Guam and hunting in Australia. He also spent two decades appraising real estate back in Virginia. Through it all, he maintained respect and admiration for wildlife.
“It’s just as much fun to shoot them with a camera as it is with a firearm,” he said. He hopes people will enjoy his stories regardless of their interest in hunting or fishing. He just wants to build captivating worlds.
“I wanted the reader to feel like the reader was involved,” he said. “It’s been fun. Hard work, but fun.”
“Little Choux Temptations” by Jialin Tian
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, perhaps a cookbook is in order. Tian, who lives in Yorktown and works as an engineer at NASA Langley, has written a series of cookbooks. Her latest focuses on choux pastries; this French baking method is the basis to fluffy dishes like eclairs and cream puffs.
In contrast with her previous choux-themed book, she replaced traditional ingredients like flour, milk and butter with nut oils, fruit and vegetable purees, herbs and spices. Tian calls this a “modern and healthier theme” that still maintains the typical characteristics one might expect.
Tian’s mother, Yabin Yu, is a retired engineer and helped with photographs for the book. Tian chose a minimalist design that avoided distracting backgrounds and styling.
“I wanted the design and photographs to truly reflect the personality of each creation,” Tian said.
Tian said her work at NASA has a surprising amount in common with her interest in cooking.
“A fine pastry is the perfect blend of three elements: art, science and engineering,” she said, adding that such confectionery concoctions inspired her to solve research problems. Her Yorktown surroundings also help her write.
“The beauty and tranquility of Yorktown have provided me the perfect environment to focus on my books,” she said.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
Interested?
“From Student to Warrior: A Military History of the College of William and Mary” by Wilford Kale
Published by Botetourt Press. $45, available at the William and Mary Bookstore and amazon.com.
“Dog Tails, Fish Tales and Other Misadventures” by Ash Cutchin
Published by Salt Water Media. $17.95, available at bn.com and amazon.com.
“Little Choux Temptations” by Jialin Tian
Published by Jayca, Inc. $21.95, available at bn.com and amazon.com.
