[applause] it is pretty astounding the turnout which i am guess saying today i wonder if you could articulate the criteria for your choices and if there is an opportunity for either/or both for you read a piece of the letters? .xd .xdçó

so, there was no criteria, so except that they were community builders and someone had an id that and believe it. none of the books were cookie cutter. and the letter could have started out any way that it wanted to start out because we did want to have control over that. we held the same policy with reference to the letters that we received. we did very little with those letters, a commack here, and i

learned how did hate the comma in some respects. people use, mack's and the craziest ways. so we did not fool around with the letters. occasionally be might see a word-- i remember distinctly somebody use the word begins and i thought they meant beckons. so, i called them and i forget who it was but she was absolutely stunned. she said you all i really reading these. i said, absolutely, we are trying to understand what it is that you were saying. that kind of editing we did that overall the letters came and went into the book exactly the way we got them so the criteria was that it was a good read, that it was the first, and it was in the question of throwing anything out. it was just a question of what we could fit in, and we agonized over the 100 letters or more that we did not include, but we

did include them into the audio book. we are still collecting letters, and we would love to still have letters because it ain't over yet. and minnow that we feel when we are talking to women, we and the stand women still want to have their say in this, so we are transforming our web page so that we can actually carry all of those letters. so, we welcome people and i trust-- does that get at your question? >> it does. you mention your aunt lily and i-- was a europe and lilly that gave an affirmation for michelle? >> yes. [inaudible] >> yeah,. >> do want to read the rest of

it? >> yeah, i will do that. i mean, let me just read, okay. my wonderful el lilly passed away a few years ago it live for a century. her grandfather had been a slave on the plantation in virginia. for more than 40 years she worked at a bakery in the miller and roose department store in richmond virginia. when i was a child to made me many visits to my home. whenever my family fell on hard times, and it was often, my mother would send rle. she would always come. we would meet her at the greyhound bus station. she never travel light. she had several platts cases with leather buckles tied together with assorted straps to secure the contents. fill to bursting, the suitcases had apples and pears from her front yard and virginia. she also had a smoked shoulder of pork placed inside a burlap bag. this was a prized possession.

aunt lilly had come to feed a hungry family in baltimore and she was always right on time. because the way to get her to the house. i should klan the rickety front steps to 1641 barnes street around the corner from the johns hopkins medical school she called out for the children to get the paring knives to appeal the apples and pears. she called for the big pots, to boil the water for that old-- when aunt lilly pulled on her old white campus apron, we knew we would have many tasty treats for the winter. perched on the edge of a not so steady chair or an old aluminum tub turned upside down, aunt lilly would hoist the progressive bit in place and an deepak between your legs because she had no shame better heavy nylon nodded at the knees were exposed. when the children left about stalking she said i'm not here for a fashion show. said with near lightning speed

and lilly began peeling apples and pears and in no time at all they were dropping like flies into the pot between her legs. talking fast well peeling, aunt lilly told stories of the better segregation in the south, and i read that before. hours later, in sell and her traveling hat, aunt lilly had the apples and pears ready to be preserved. we were tufted by the smell of allspice, cinnamon, cloves and sugar and with the site of aunt lilly putting the big pot on the wood burning stove we all settle down. aunt lilly was back in town. she was our second other. with the preserve is bubbling and thickening on the stove, aunt lilly took the wrappings from the smoked pork. slicing the me like it was gold leaf, aunt lilly showed this out to make it less for the winter. when either and that your mother might join in the white house to care for your girls and to support younis awesome job i was

ecstatic. young people can always use a second mother. it reminded me of my aunt lilly coming to support my mother during difficult times. as first lady will definitely begin exhilarating difficult times. i am writing this letter for my aunt lilly. she didn't get a lot of schooling but she gave a lot of love. she knew how to be a second mother. if my aunt lilly was alive she would tell you not to let anyone push your around and make sure you take care of your baby's. lawyer mom doesn't bring apples are pairs an old suitcase is to the white house i know she will be toting bushels of love for your entire family. written form by the aunt lilly. [applause] and i want to add that, if you go to our blog on on the facebook, you will hear and you will see peggy's aunt lilly because there are photographs added to her reading. i am also reading the letter that i wrote in photographs of

my dad and pictures that he took during his lifetime, so go to our blog. there's a lot of good stuff. >> it is wonderful. is all wonderful. i have laryngitis, so i'm going to try to get through this. i just want to talk about a little bit what you mean to the book. my friend here, tell me about the book after she had sent her selection then and that she had been selected. and then the day that the book came, we were together in the car. and i read her poems, and then i read a part of another one, and i come from theater and film. i am an actress and a director. i said, this is a staged reading. which is have to put this on stage. it can't just be between these

two pages. it just has to go onstage. and got in touch with the two queen mother's here, and after a lot of going back and forth, we agreed that it probably could very well be a staged reading. and we are in the process of getting that done right now with some very fine actresses stage in a way that will be-- kimley can't do 100. we are hoping very strongly to get them in front of the first lady pekka we have a letter of the white house right now, so yeah, and i just want to say there is a lot of praise and admiration for michelle in this book. and it is all warrants it. but, along with that praise there is a balance there, because the women-- she draws

out of the women all of these experiences, because of the path that she took. they are able to give life to things like aunt lilly. i had a grandmother, clara, that sent mashed potatoes and by mail from virginia to baltimore, so i know that aunt lilly story. and it is all very, very wonderful. this is the history that is never put in history books. in fact, we probably should come up with another word for it, because it is some way that life lives between the covers. it is flesh that has become words, you know. id is motion that has become long enough for someone else to read. so, since it is time for change, perhaps we should think about changing what we call this, you

know. but it is definitely a seminal word that needs to be documented a number of different ways, and needs to continue to grow. and i think my voice is just about out. [applause] >> i just have to simple questions. are you going to have a sequel, and i was wondering if we could hear the dead woman's poem. i am dying to hear her poem written by the young woman who wrote the palm. also, i was going to give a hint of what that sipple might be. it could be go tell the first grandma. >> there is a sequel, and actually it is the stories behind the stories, because as we have walked this journey, this path that we are on, those who have come with us in bringing us along our

introducing us to a new page in what we call history and her story or some other word that we have not come up with, but yes, we to have another book in mind, which is really to document with this journey has been, and since we haven't gotten to the end yet, there may be a third book yet to come. [inaudible] >> no, we did not mention the journal. >> the senate press is talking to us, and we have to say, it is extraordinary, because it is an everyday that the publisher, the ceo of an academic press will jump on a book like this, and say okay, let's roll with this and let's get it done. that is not everyday that that happens so we send out really take us to a young man who came

out of the university of nebraska, university of nebraska press to really jump on the idea. never got off of it, give us an opportunity to do a lot of things and then start of stood back and watch. that is fantastic, so it was like somebody came in and said, after in this idea on its head. this is how would have to look. first of all we would not have gone for it, but secondly, it was never anything like this for archille thank the university of buffalo for example that gave us an opportunity for our own offices with uncrowned queens.com. we could not get done that without them so it is an extraordinarily coming together, so there are a number of different things that will do, but barbara is right, one of the things that is important for us to take a look at, and that is that the stories that people that told us, namely the women, about how they came to this, and meeting you and hearing your

stories here is another story about the story. when we went to the human bookstore in harlem, and you just have to go there, to have all the sisters from all over new york coming in bringing their mothers and their fathers and their lovers and husbands and their children and grandmothers, and standing up and signing books with us and telling us that, if you know, how their lives were changed and one mother creeping up to me and saying, she is alive again. she is rising again. this broker writer's block. she is on the road again. so, there are so many powerful stories that we heard and we really want a chance to document those. we just want to lose them of all. >> the press would like this to do a journal, which will allow us to bring these stories forward a lot quicker, because the book takes at least 34 days.

[laughter] but, the articles might take 20. so, we are exploring a lot of different avenues as to how to get the stories out. >> one of the things i should tell you is that, barbara and i both developed a new appreciation for one another in this work. and it is something that we will find time to think about more to write about, because what moves one person doesn't necessarily move the other person, but then we start arguing for somebody. no, you have to have her in here. why? because, this goes this way and it is nowhere else. i don't know about that. well, sleep on it. our relationship changed in a good way, and we learned who we were, we learn the things that made us cry. we learn the things that twisted us up inside.

really, it was really quite an experience, looking at this and no link the things that can wrap you both and the things the same old, god. then coming to an appreciation that all of this is great. it is just different for each one of us. that for me was a really profound experience. i learned a lot about her in terms of her unesthetic and she learned a lot about me. we would like to incorporate into the next book and see if we come out the other end of that. >> are there any other questions? >> there was a request. >> for the poetry. >> i'm not sure which one. >> you don't have to convince us. absolutely, yes. and there is lori.

and what i would ask, what i would ask that you read a portion of it and that way we can get-- [inaudible] >> okay, as the, what now he read yours and we will find reagan's. >> again the palm is so much of the woman i am and the sorts of page 125. up from the pine trees and the tall grass and the seaweed surrounding the peoples and a little town in the south, sprang forth a humanity that is deep in you. into the house with hallways and the sterile rooms and the staley facades preserving the privileged and ip buildings up north, if you revealed an intelligence that is on the night. back on the home front, on the busy streets in the daily duties of a professional wife, mother,

daughter, sister, a friend, you find a way to gracefully bring balance and beauty to a world that is sometimes called an unforgiving. for so many, you paint a different story. you painted different picture, tell another story. for me, you represent so many of the women i know, so much of the woman i am. the powerful queen warrior mothers of the pass are within you and they are proud. the favored children of the future are within you and they are blessed. the visionary, hard-working and strong black women of today are within you and we are thankful. so much of the woman you are, we are. so much of the elegance, dignity, strength and character you display, we see in ourselves every day. when the days become and the center erie and the weight seems too hard to bear, look in the mirror and see all the women who

have come before you and made it under dreadful circumstances. see all the children who have yet to come, in no you shine a light so bright that will make their world a more livable place. see me, and cheering you on, giving new hope, holding your hand, reminding you daily that strong women keep getting stronger. and at the end of the day, when the outside world is gone, it is you must decide to hug your children, kiss your husband, respect your mother, protect your family and love yourself. and at the end of the day when the world outside is gone, please know always so much of the woman you are i am and i am here, sending you love, for michelle obama. [applause] >> i am going to read rigging's poem, that they are being shy. dear michelle, stand in your

truth. when the world wants a piece of view, a piece of him, and a piece of them, wants all of you, all of him, all of them, wants none of you, none of him, none of them, stand in your trip, his true if, in their truth. remember who you are, who he is, who they are. remember that you want him coming that he wants you and that you both love them more than life. remember, when you have had it with yourself, had it with him, and had it with them, stand in your trees and his truth in their truth. rue yourself, remember your roots, ground yourself. walk on solid ground. stand with the creator in all things, stand in your truth. [applause] we have one more. it. would you like to read?

and then we will i think, we will sign some books. >> dear michelle, you are made. when i look it you i see me. i see the young african-american women hill, a good family values, strong rates, hard work and perseverance has come into her own. when i looked at uic my sister, the sister who i knew always won the best for me, especially when i made choices i had absolutely no business making. i see my mother, a strong, pragmatic practical woman who knows how to keep it all together even in the face of diversity. i see the mother always cares for and about other people. when i look get you i see my favorite cousin, the beautiful won his scan envying always seems to glow, the one whose laugh and smile i always wanted

to emulate. when i look a uic my sister, the friend i can talk to and laugh and cry with about anything. unbarack are to the precious few others to look like me in college and law school. you are me. through use so many of us see ourselves. thank you for allowing me and the world to see all of this. i thank you for the beautiful black america you have presented to the world, for all the history unbarack hava and will continue to make. one of the simplest and most treasured is your showing the world the face of black america, the beautiful, faithful, accomplish, nurturing, caring, loving, smart strong and moral face of black america. what a wonderful picture you have drawn for the world. what a wonderful story you are telling and what a beautiful portrait of real love you the shah and the world. thank you for showing they swirled how love between a black men and women can and should look for you blackmon have the

opportunity to see the way barack expresses his love, the way he shows his respect, the way he communicates with you, the way he allows you to become a to shine pekka three you black women see the way you do all the same things for your husband. three u. we see how the two of you depend on and lean on each other. thank you. unbarack put so much history in the burdens of so many carried on your back have given pride and hope to so many. because you have given so much to so many i hope and pray you feel and are able to receive the encouragement and encouragement of all the people you inspire. as you and barack carry the burdens, please that you are not a long. you and your beautiful family are prayed for daily by the millions you inspire. go your journey may not be easy in the coming days, weeks, months or years think the best teacher burden and paying. think of this to you inspire, think of this you have given

hope to come to think of this whom you have filled with pride, think of your sister, think of your sister friend, think of your favorite cousin, think of your mother, think of me. we are the same. sincerely yours in christ, lori jones. [applause] >> i just want to add more think and honor our latino sisters and it is the poem called rainbow house. i don't want to read all of it but the first couple stances are interesting. the michaud, never went to visit the white house until now. now that your family, your family lived there by proclamation of rainbow universal prayer. i feel welcome now that i know little girls with double dutch rates and missing teeth, grow play internet. your home feels warm that i know eighth grade student will fly on nine miguel wings out of a forest of wooden desks on the city of angels to watch you and your man walk into your new

house. [applause] >> peggy brooks-bertram is the cofounder of the uncrowned queens institute for research and education for women inc. at the university of buffalo in the art. to find out more visit as you and why that edu. >> mark top nonfiction authors and books throughout the weekend on c-span2's booktv. with books on the economy, former investment banker john talbott exposes myths about the recession and what it will take to recover. jay richards on why he thinks capitalism is the best way to ease poverty and protect the environment. also this weekend, the end of overeating, former fda commissioner david kessler explains how americans programmed by too much sugar, salt and john can control their eating habits and on after words, writers and artists,

god's and visionaries from the garden of eden to today. atwater galeano recounts the history of the world three collection of 600 short stories. he talks with colombian university professor john dinges. there are lots more books and authors every weekend on booktv. our web site has the entire schedule and great new features including streaming video, archives that easy to search and simple ways to share your favorite programs. booktv.org. >> this summer booktv is asking, what are you reading? >> my summer reading, the first half of my summer reading is going to be to catch up. there are two books i haven't finished. one is the team of rivals, the abraham lincoln book by doris kearns goodwin and the other is by eight jon meacham, "american lion" which is sitting at home. to history books of a need to

read, want to read and in one case need to finish. the third book i want to read is written by a friend of mine who used to work at dow jones, which owns the "wall street journal" and it is called a restless genius. it is the story of a famous and very influential american journalist, barney kilgore, who was the editor of my newspaper, the "wall street journal" for years and years and treated the modern "wall street journal" and in many ways modern journalism. he is written and interesting biography of barney kilgore who will go down in history as a person who created much of what we think of in journalism in the '20s century. finally, for fun i want to read the rockets that fell to earth, the new book about roger clemens and how he sort of rose and tank as to the drug controversy has somewhat fall and. >> to see more summer reading lists and other program information, visit our web site at booktv.org.

outside magazine correspondent steven rinella on recounts the history of the american buffalo from its centrality to the lives of native americans to the sizable reduction of its population from about 40,000,002 of the few hundred by the late 19th century and its usage as a symbol of america. this event hosted by tidal wave books in anchorage alaska is 40 minutes. >> thank you all for coming out tonight. i am going to read, i want to read a little bit of my book and then i'm going to show some slides and discuss them. when i showed the slides and discuss them i realize the need someone to hit the button, the forward button. i need a volunteer to handle that for me. i am going to read from the beginning of the book. [ist a couple of pages.